Rennes will build a second central kitchen in the south of the city, with a capacity of 9,500 meals, to meet the future needs of its collective catering. The project is estimated at 26 million euros, is fully funded by the city and is due for delivery in the third quarter of 2029. Its opening will end the use of plastic and disposable containers across all collective catering.
Why the city needs a second kitchen
The number of pupils eating at school canteens in Rennes has risen, and the capacity of the existing Beauregard central kitchen, in the north of Rennes, has to be resized. Together, the two central kitchens will be able to produce up to 18,500 meals a day. In 2026 the city’s collective catering served 14,000 meals a day across school restaurants, care homes for older people, nurseries and staff restaurants. 73% of children have lunch at the canteen.
The new kitchen will also cover the needs of three other municipalities:
- Chantepie: 500 meals
- Montgermont: 410 meals
- Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande: 1,000 meals
What changes on the plate
The end of plastic and disposable containers follows the requirements of the EGAlim and AGEC laws. The project is also meant to increase the share of raw, local and organic products used to prepare meals. In 2025, sustainable products made up 60% of plates and organic products 52%. The city’s target is 100% organic products by 2032.
The 2,650 m² building includes heat recovery, geothermal energy, 415 solar panels, bio-based and reused materials, and a bioclimatic design. The site will also have 2,800 m² of planted open ground, 66 trees and 67 m³ of planted swales.
Timeline and costs
| Step | Timing | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Construction of the new kitchen | about 20 months | 26 million euros |
| Delivery of the new kitchen | third quarter of 2029 | |
| Start of Beauregard refurbishment | September 2029 | 7 million euros |
| Beauregard back in operation | September 2030 |
Work on the Beauregard kitchen will begin once the new kitchen in the south of Rennes is in production, in September 2029. The refurbished kitchen is expected to be operational again in September 2030.