Multi-purpose and sustainable: discover France's first hybrid building in Rennes

The concept of ‘Le Solférino’, a recently unveiled new 7,000m² building in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine) is a first in France – it is a ‘hybrid’, which can be used as either offices or appartements.

The sustainably made structure, made of concrete and wood, is located in the Brittany town’s EuroRennes district on Boulevard Solférino, and currently serves as the offices of Adim Ouest, a subsidiary of Vinci Construction, the project’s main contractor. 

But it can be transformed into residential buildings in a relatively short time. ‘It will take three months of work to complete the single-storey housing units,’ Brice Chapon, one of the architects at Parc Architectes, who designed the plans, told France Bleu. ‘This means that we are not changing the façades, we are only partitioning and installing ducts, which are already planned. Most of the work has already been done,’ he added.

Each floor can accommodate eight to 10 flats, ranging from 44 to 90m².

The design of the building began during the Covid pandemic, when architects questioned how working life would evolve: ‘In 10, 20 or even 30 years’ time, we don’t know how we will be working in offices,’ said Jérôme Ansaldi, director of Adim Ouest. ‘This building will easily be converted into housing. That’s its strength: it’s designed for multiple uses.’

The façade was designed to accommodate living rooms, a lounge and a kitchen, depending on the bay windows, and while the offices have high ceilings (2.75 metres), ‘when we switch to residential mode, this height will allow us to make small adjustments where we want to put the toilet or bathroom. We will go down to 2.50 metres, which is the standard,’ said Brice Chapon.

Catch of the day must be reported

From January 2026, sea fishermen in France will be required to declare any sea bass, tuna or certain types of sea bream they catch.

Tighter new Europe-wide regulations mean that all amateur fishermen aged 16 and over targeting certain species will have to register and declare their catches on a daily basis using an electronic application called RECFishing. 

The species concerned will be listed at the beginning of each year by decree, with those in the Atlantic, the Channel and the Mediterranean for 2026 listed as pollack, sea bass, bluefin tuna, pink sea bream, and dolphinfish.

No fines for any contravention are planned initially, with priority given to providing information and education to fishermen.

Recreational anglers are against the new measures, given that they catch so few fish. ‘I can’t imagine going to the office to make a declaration. It’s just a hobby. The more time goes by, the more rules we have, rules, rules...’, one told francetvinfos. ‘There are fishermen who are elderly. They don’t necessarily have access to the Internet or smartphones, etc.,’ added another.

Bigger risk of pesticides near vineyards

A major study shows that people living near vineyards are more exposed to pesticides. Much higher levels of chemicals are found in their hair, as well as in their homes – 15 to 45% more pesticides were found in the urine of those living closest to vineyards, and up to 1,000% more in dust samples taken from their homes.

The study by L’Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (Anses) and Santé publique France, is unprecedented in its size and scope, covering 2,700 people in six wine-growing regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence- Alpes-Côte d’Azur) and 56 substances. It is based on research conducted in 2021 and 2022. 

In terms of surface area, vines, which are highly vulnerable to mildew and powdery mildew, are among the most heavily treated crops in the country, along with apples and certain flowers.