Rennes’s healthcare sector is characterized by innovation, research excellence, and a commitment to high-quality care. As it continues to grow and adapt to emerging healthcare trends, the city has been positioning itself as a leader in healthcare excellence, attracting professionals, researchers, and innovators from around the world.
As of today, Rennes is home to an impressive healthcare workforce, boasting over 30,000 jobs dedicated to the sector. The city’s expertise extends to a wide range of medical fields, including liver pathologies, cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics, as well as cutting-edge biotechnologies and health nutrition.
Rennes’s dynamic healthcare landscape features the prestigious Rennes University Hospital (CHU Rennes), known for its “high-quality care” certification, and is the largest employer in the metropolis. Furthermore, the city boasts a robust presence of research and higher education institutions, hosting around 2,600 jobs and over a dozen research laboratories.
As a recognized digital hotspot in France, Rennes has also grown a reputation in the digital health realm, housing several promising start-ups in e-health, imaging, and healthcare technologies. These companies have significantly contributed to Rennes’ economic vitality, with a 125% increase in jobs over the last decade.
Cases in point
It hardly comes as a surprise the Couvent des Jacobins, Rennes’ main convention centre, has recently been – and will be – the focal point for numerous healthcare gatherings, both national and international. These include, for instance, the European e-Health Week which was organized in September this year, the BioEM Conference which will be held in 2025 and the International Congress of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology in 2026.
The first event brought together nearly 700 participants, from France and abroad, in the health and medico-social sectors, with the aim of decompartmentalizing the business, technical and regulatory worlds. During this week, Biotech Santé Bretagne, a technological innovation centre in health and biotechnology in Brittany, organized a dedicated session on e-health innovation, featuring contributions from numerous local stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the BioEM Conference is expected to attract 350 participants in June 2025. Established in 2021 through the merger of the Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS) and the European Bioelectromagnetics Association (EBEA), BioEM serves as a leading proponent for the exchange of ideas and the advancement of the science of natural and applied electromagnetic fields in biology and medicine. It comprises biological and physical scientists, physicians, and engineers. Operating as an international society, BioEM boasts a diverse membership hailing from approximately 40 countries and regions worldwide.
Last but not least, the International Congress of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology is set to attract 800 participants to the Couvent over three days in 2026. Founded with the mission of promoting research, education, and collaboration in these critical areas of healthcare, the IATDMCT brings together professionals, researchers, and experts from around the world. Through its initiatives, conferences, and publications, the association plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient care by fostering the understanding and application of drug monitoring and toxicology principles in clinical practice.
Contact: couvent@destinationrennes.com / www.centre-congres-rennes.fr/en/