Data Centers in Rennes

Rennes – Strategic Digital Edge in Western France

Executive Summary

Rennes is an emerging Tier II data center market ideal for organizations requiring a strategic foothold in western France. It provides a reliable, low-risk alternative to Paris for serving the Brittany region's growing digital economy. This market is a strong choice for disaster recovery and regional content delivery where uptime and resilience are paramount.

Rennes: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: As of September 2025, the market has 4 data centers with at least 1 network provider. Carrier diversity is limited compared to Paris, with interconnection options concentrated in the primary colocation facilities. This is typical for a secondary market focused on regional distribution.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct public cloud on-ramps within Rennes as of September 2025. Businesses connect to the 0 cloud regions available in France through private network interconnects, wave services, or other high-capacity links to carrier hotels and cloud exchanges in Paris.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The local OuestIX facilitates efficient traffic exchange between regional networks, reducing latency for local users by keeping traffic within Brittany. Most international or hyperscale peering, however, is routed through larger exchanges in Paris.

Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available, primarily from national providers who have a presence in the region. Providers like OVHcloud offer dedicated server solutions from their French data centers, which can serve the Rennes market effectively.

Power Analysis

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial power costs in the region are estimated between €0.16 and €0.19/kWh, as of September 2025. France's power grid, dominated by nuclear energy (~68%), provides a stable and predictable cost base, insulating businesses from the volatility seen in markets reliant on fossil fuels.

Power Grid Reliability: The national power grid is highly reliable. Data centers in the Rennes area benefit from this stability, and critical facilities are supported by well-engineered, redundant power feeds to ensure high levels of uptime for mission-critical applications.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Rennes are positioned to support the city's key industries, including telecommunications, cybersecurity, and automotive technology. This proximity enables low-latency connectivity for research, development, and production workloads.

Regional Market Reach: Rennes provides effective digital infrastructure access for the entire Brittany peninsula and the larger Grand Ouest region of France. It is a strategic location for serving millions of consumers and businesses outside the primary Paris metro.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: France provides targeted financial incentives, including access to European Investment Bank (EIB) loans for qualifying data center projects. This support can significantly lower the capital expenditure required for new infrastructure builds or major facility expansions.

Natural Disaster Risk

The overall natural disaster risk for Rennes is low, with an INFORM Risk score of 2.7 out of 10, as of September 2025. The region has minimal exposure to catastrophic events, enhancing its suitability for critical IT operations and disaster recovery sites.

Key environmental risks include:

• River Flood: The most significant natural hazard for the region.
• Coastal Flood: A secondary, indirect risk factor for the broader coastal region of Brittany.
• Earthquake: Seismic risk is present but rated as low.
• Drought: A minor risk factor for the area.