version anglaise du site principale

In the 18th century, the French State was still in its infancy. Taxes were levied in most of the country and were used to instil a sense of structure and organisation.
The administrative division of France into départements marked a new stage in the simplification and political and social organisation of French territory.
The decree setting up the départements was promulgated on 4th March 1790. Ille-et-Vilaine was born. Rennes was the main town in the département of Ille-et-Vilaine and the Rennes district. Redon, Bain, La Guerche, Vitré, Fougères, Dol, Saint-Malo and Montfort became the main towns in their respective districts.
During the French Revolution, Ille-et-Vilaine remained strongly opposed to political, religious and social change.

By 1815, the situation was catastrophic. The countryside has been abandoned, the traditional moorland was regaining ground again and traditional industries were in decline. Yet amazing progress was made in a number of sectors such as canning, fishing, metal working and manufacturing thanks to the introduction of the railways and the doubling of the road network. Tourism also developed along the coast, with large numbers of Parisians and British people taking holidays here.

Throughout the 20th century, Ille-et-Vilaine has undergone economic development. Industrial decentralisation, the action taken by politicians and the establishment of close ties with the other regions in the Atlantic Arc have enabled Ille-et-Vilaine to turn its fortunes around and, in the 21st century, it has become the most industrialised département in Brittany.
Now, solidly anchored in its territory and drawing on its history, Ille-et-Vilaine is looking resolutely towards the future and the world around it.