Gabriel Aubert is the founder of Radio Rennes, a free radio station born in 1981 and which still broadcasts.

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Radio Rennes

  • Born in 1981 during the emergence of free radio, Radio Rennes still broadcasts, forty later.

  • Founded by Gabriel Aubert, who still directs it today, the frequency began in “pirate” mode before entering the Rennes landscape.

  • In 1981, it was a DIY transmitter on the roof of a bistro that allowed radio to get started.

It is not yet 40 years old but serves as a prehistoric treasure.

Born in 1981 in the wake of the opening of radio waves, she first defied the prohibitions by broadcasting her programs thanks to a DIY transmitter placed on the roof of a bistro.

Since then, she has never stopped broadcasting, always carried by a handful of culture enthusiasts.

Soon 40 years old, Radio Rennes is one of the oldest French free radio stations.

The oldest perhaps?

"It is impossible to know, because the CSA did not exist at that time", summarizes Ronan Manuel, one of the active members of the radio.

The idea of ​​this frequency was born within the walls of Ranelagh, a café-theater on rue Saint-Hélier.

But above all in the mind of a man passionate about music: Gabriel Aubert.

“At first, no one believed in us.

People didn't know where we were going, they were laughing at us.

Our idea, it was nevertheless simple: we wanted to talk about our passions ”, explains the one that many know under the name of“ Gaby ”.

The regulars of the bistro then turn into animators and apprentice journalists and take the microphone.

“It was madness to be able to do radio.

At the time, there were only a handful of national radio stations, ”recalls Yvon Lechevestrier, a retired journalist who is preparing a book on the history of free radio in Rennes.

A DIY transmitter, placed on the roof of the café

To be heard on the airwaves, the pioneers of Radio Rennes had been able to count on a student from Supélec, who had tinkered with a transmitter placed on the roof of the café.

"We did not even broadcast until Villejean," laughs the founder.

For several months, they are scrambled, until France authorizes frequencies to free radios.

“We first used ReVox (recorders) and then cassettes.

Then we went to vinyls and then to CDs.

We went digital even though I don't really like it because it compresses the sound, ”continues Gaby Aubert.

Gabriel Aubert is the founder of Radio Rennes, a free radio station born in 1981 and which still broadcasts.

- C. Allain / 20 Minutes

Forty years later, the kid he was has grown up a bit but still drives the boat.

Little by little, he will have seen the other free radios around him flowing.

On the 100.8 FM, his makeshift ship is still on course and even managed to find new premises four years ago when the Galeries Lafayette, which had hosted them for free for thirty-five years, had to put them up to speed. door.

This year, it will offer a special program per month with prestigious guests such as Etienne Daho, Irène Frain or the former magistrate Renaud van Ruymbeke.

An incredible number of archives

Comfortably installed rue des Fossés, Radio Rennes has succeeded in attracting new and younger faces to host chronicles or programs on music, cinema, travel and bring to life the pirate soul of the 1980s. an incredible collection, the radio even likes to bring out old interviews when certain personalities are brought to disappear.

Last year, the voices of the late Graeme Allwright and Guy Bedos returned to the airwaves.

The result of 40 years of passion.

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