Ille-et-Vilaine

Ille-et-Vilaine, a maritime French department, formed out of the north-eastern portion of the old province of Brittany. Area, 2596 sq. m.; pop. (1872) 589,532; (1891) 626,875, mostly of Celtic race. It is watered chiefly by the Vilaine and its tributary the Ille, which unite near Rennes, the capital of the department. Ille-et-Vilaine consists of a granite plateau traversed by ranges of low hills. It is agricultural, cultivation having been greatly improved during recent years. The cider of this district is the best in France; the butter of Rennes is celebrated; the horses of the department are noted for their endurance, and are in great request for the army; and bee-keeping is prosecuted. Iron is mined; slates are quarried; and salt is extracted. The department is divided into six arrondissements—Rennes, Fougères, Montfort, St Malo, Vitré, and Redon. St Malo is the principal seaport.