The city of Brest is located in a natural harbour in the Finistère départment of Brittany. It is close to the Breton Peninsular's western tip. The city suffered extensive bombing during the Second World War and the efforts to rebuild it since give Brest a feeling of vibrancy and freshness, particularly since the de-industrialisation that has taken place since the turn of the millennium. Brest is very much a university city and is home to the exclusive French Naval Academy, l'Ecole Navale not to be confused with the equally prestigious Académie de Marine or Naval Academy which was founded in 1752.
Perhaps the most impressive of the newly built structures within the city is the Pont de l'Iroise bridge that spans the river Elorn. This cable-stayed bridge, opened in 1994, is a marvel of architecture and engineering and, truly, a thing of beauty. Cyclists and pedestrians can take in the bridge from the dedicated Albert Louppe bridge where one can drink in views from across the harbour.
Brest lies on a still viable commercial port. The city has always been strategically important and as a military port, Brest is second only to Toulon in France in this regard. A walk along the Quai Commandant-Malbert will give you a sense of what life is like for those whose livings very much depend on this port thriving as well as a taste of the city's history. Watch the brightly coloured buoys of Finistere's Lighthouses and Beacons department - they number in the hundreds - as they bob up and down on the water.
The arsenal of Brest is world famous. This array of military and naval buildings, jetties and locks and basins began taking shape on the banks of the Penfeld around 1631. Construction of the submarine base started in 1940 by the German forces occupying the area. Allied attempts to destroy the base resulted in the destruction of most of Brest's historic buildings.
Though Brest has been extensively rebuilt, the castle at the mouth of the river Penfeld is still very much the heart of Brest. With a history dating back more than seventeen hundred years, it is the world's oldest castle that is still in use.
Beaches
The beach at Brest is rocky and lies just a few minutes away from the castle ruins at Camaret Sur Mer.
Churches and Religious Buildings
Saint-Louis church suffered extensive damage in the bombing of the Second World War. The church, rebuilt between 1953 and 1958, is worth a visit to admire its beautiful stained glass windows.
Built in 1750, Saint-Sauveur church, located in Recouvrance, is the oldest in Brest.
Historic Buildings
The castle was once the centre of all life and activity in the city of Brest. Touring this, the oldest of Brest's monuments, one can see how the castle has been extended and redeveloped to ward off attacks with increasingly advanced weaponry and strategies over the seventeen centuries of its existence. Highlights include the Roman era keep, the thirteenth century towers of Azenor and César and the far more modern barracks constructed in 1894. The Maritime museum of Brest is housed in the city's castle.
The Maison de la Fontaine in Recouvrance, dates from the late seventeenth century and is one of Brest's oldest houses. The Tour Rose (Pink Tower) on rue Denver was built in commemoration of the supply convoys of the United States Navy during 1917 and 1918. It is also known as the Monument Americain. Pont de Recouvrance is a breathtaking sixty four metre (two hundred and ten feet) high drawbridge.
Fishing
A short term fishing license will set you back approximately €15.
Enjoy fishing on the lake at the Swin Golf de Brest
1105 Route Traon Bian Penmesmadec
Brest
Phone: 02 98 05 27 22
Golf
Brest les Abers Golf Club Kerhoaden
Plouarzel, 29810
Phone: 02 98 89 68 33
Swin Golf de Brest Swing golf is played with a single club and a rubber ball that is much softer than the traditional golf ball. This leisure facility also offers lake fishing and mini golf.
1105 Route Traon Bian Penmesmadec
Brest
Phone: 02 98 05 27 22
Golf Brest
Golf Brest offers coaching at all levels at the Pen ar Bed and Best Naval golf courses.
5 Rue Théodore Botrel
Brest
Phone: 06 17 08 49 76
Golf De Brest Pen Ar Bed
Coat Camp Huella
29290 Lanrivoaré
Phone: 02 98 84 98 92
Golf Brest Iroise
Parc de Lann Rohou
29800 Saint-Urbain
Phone: 02 98 85 16 17
Museums and Attractions
Océanopolis, the ocean discovery centre and aquarium at Brest is unique in Europe. As well as Europe's largest aquaria full of exotic tropical fish, the centre also has its very own "seal clinic" and you can even see penguins. Océanopolis is a rather more hands on experience than the average aquarium or sea life centre as visitors are given the opportunity to touch and interact with some of the creatures there.
The Musée de la Tour Tanguy, the museum housed in the Tanguy Tower, has a superb collection of dioramas depicting the history of Brest right up to the Second World War. Conservatoire botanique national de Brest is a thirty two hectare botanical conservation area that was once a quarry and land fill site. Open seven days a week, there is no entrance fee and you can experience the natural beauty of endangered plants and trees first hand.
Enjoy your visit to Brest, Brittany.
