Vitré, Ille-et-Vilaine
Vitré is a historic town in Brittany, north-western France, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department. It has about 19,000 residents and covers around 37 square kilometers. The Vilaine river is nearby, and the town sits on gentle hills.
Vitré is known as a Town of Art and History because of its well-preserved medieval center. The old town has narrow streets, timber-framed houses, and strong walls. A castle sits on a rocky outcrop above the Vilaine valley, and the Place du Marchix is focused around the medieval heart of the town.
In the Renaissance, Vitré prospered from the textile trade. Wealthy merchants built elegant mansions that still line the streets today. The arrival of the railway in 1857 connected Vitré with Rennes, Laval, Nantes and Paris, helping the town grow while keeping its historic center.
Today, visitors come to see its historic buildings, ramparts, and churches. The climate is oceanic: mild winters, warm summers, and rainfall most of the year.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:51 (CET).