On the Beaulieu campus, in Rennes, the star-shaped building that many alumni still called “the old RU” has found color again. After three years of construction, the renovation of the L’Étoile university restaurant in Rennes is changing the daily lives of students, but also the way they look at this strange six-pointed UFO. Suddenly, the famous wooden frame finds itself at the heart of the experience, as much as the meal trays.
Built in 1963 by architect Georges Maillols, the L’Étoile university restaurant had never been renovated. It was so dilapidated that after the Covid-19 pandemic, its demolition was considered. The choice was ultimately to keep it and transform it extensively, at a cost of around 23 million euros.
L’Etoile, emblematic building saved from demolition
Originally, this university restaurant could serve 1,000 hot meals simultaneously. But the insulation was almost non-existent. explains Soizic Bernier, real estate operations manager at Crous, quoted by France 3. On the Beaulieu campus, everyone knew these sometimes trying conditions.
On September 7, 2026, reopening day, the line is always full. In the queue, a student sums up the visual shock: , he notes. The operation, carried out by Crous Bretagne with the Anthracite architecture firm and the support of Rennes Métropole, has clearly turned the page on the “old RU”.
Rethinking space: new circulation for 10,000 meals per day
The project mainly consisted of completely reviewing the student path. explains Marcos Martinez, director of the L’Étoile university restaurant. A clearing chain now equips the dishwashing area, where the cutlery is vacuumed magnetically.
Previously, the kitchen occupied the center of the building. She was moved to the back, which changes everything. explains architect Nicolas Thebault. Result: more readable feeds, better connected branches and a takeaway space which allows L’Étoile to deliver around 10,000 meals per day.
Reveal the wooden structure and provide a bright setting
The architectural bias is clear: to show what was hidden. indicates Sylvie Sauvage, director of real estate development at Crous Bretagne. The large wooden beams and inverted boat hulls become the visual signature of the place.
The students seem to agree. , reacts a student. With 1,000 seats and around 2,500 meals served every lunchtime, the L’Étoile university restaurant regains its central role in Rennes student life, fully assuming its magnificent structure.
When did the university restaurant L’Étoile reopen in Rennes?
The L’Étoile university restaurant, on the Beaulieu campus in Rennes, reopened to the public on September 7, 2026, after approximately three years of work launched in 2023.
What is the capacity of the U L’Étoile restaurant after renovation?
The renovated building offers around 1,000 seats and serves around 2,500 meals at midday, with a total capacity of close to 10,000 meals per day thanks to take-out meals.
How much did the renovation of the L’Étoile university restaurant cost?
The renovation of the L’Étoile university restaurant represented an investment of around 23 million euros, co-financed by the Crous and local authorities, according to information communicated during the inauguration.
