The Best Travel Guide to Brest (UPDATED 2024) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Brest

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Overview

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Brest The guide was updated: 2024-09-11

Welcome to Brest — the city with over a thousand years of history. Located on the tip of the French region of Brittany, Brest has been one of the key cities in countless numbers of battles and is currently home to one of France’s three naval bases. Take a tour and discover a city that is known for its breathtaking landscapes and scenic coastal areas. Take a boat ride to the nearby seahorse-shaped islands of Ouessant and Molene for an unforgettable experience.

Facts

Population:	139,456
Currency:	Euro, 1€ = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Emergency: 112 Police: 17 Fire: 18 Medical: 15
Newspapers:	Ouest France — www.ouest-france.fr Courrier du Léon Le Télégramme — www.letelegramme.fr Le Figaro — www.lefigaro.fr Le Journal du Dimanche — www.lejdd.fr
Website:	www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr/en
Opening hours:	Shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9/9:30 to 7 pm during high season and until 6 pm at other times. Shops are generally closed on Sundays.
Tourist information:	Office de Tourisme de Brest Métropole 8 Avenue Georges Clemenceau, Brest +33 298 44 24 96

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Section in Brest

Brest's long standing link with the sea is the theme running through most of its visitor attractions. Visit the Brest Fort containing the excellent Navy Museum to learn more about the city's maritime past and present, stop by the famous Océanopolis aquarium to marvel at mysterious underwater creatures, or simply take a boat ride along the coastline to breathe the fresh sea breeze and catch the spirit of this historic city.

Castle of Brest

Castle of Brest

Once owned by Richard II of England, the castle is the city’s foremost landmark and oldest monument. The structure boasts more than 1,700 years of history and still serves as a military fortress today. Don't miss the Navy Museum inside!

Océanopolis

Océanopolis

One of the largest Ocean Discovery Parks in Europe, the Océanopolis has four pavilions — polar, temperate, tropical and biodiversity — that tell the story of the sea and marine life in different world climates. The park contains an impressive 7 shark species.

National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum

This is a branch of the National Maritime Museum of Paris, home to an impressive collection of model replica ships from French fleets and paintings with nautical themes. Free audio guides are available. From the museum, some of the best views over the city unfold.

Tanguy Tower

Tanguy Tower

A must-see attraction — the Tanguy Tower — houses a collection of various exhibits including artefacts and maps that recount the history of Brest. The tower itself is a medieval structure dating back to the 14th century. Its true origins, however, remain unknown.

Fort Montbarey — Mémorial des Finistériens

Fort Montbarey — Mémorial des Finistériens

The Fort Montbarey was initially constructed as a fortified stronghold under the reign of Louis XVI. It's located to the west of Brest and shares similarities with Questel Fort. Brest provided the fort to the Memorial Association to establish a museum focusing on the history of the Finistère region during WWII. The museum is actually one among a series of five forts that collectively narrate the region's history.

National Botanical Conservatory of Brest

National Botanical Conservatory of Brest

The National Botanical Conservatory of Brest contains around 1,700 endangered species of plants, which are all grown and cultivated in the reserve’s greenhouses. It is dedicated to the protection and growth of endangered species from around the world. The lush premises are open to visitors.

Recouvrance, Lambézellec, Saint-Marc & Saint-Pierre Quilbignon

Recouvrance, Lambézellec, Saint-Marc & Saint-Pierre Quilbignon

Recouvrance, Lambézellec, Saint-Marc and Saint-Pierre Quilbignon are four pretty suburbs of Brest that offer open areas for relaxing walks, along with fine restaurants. They are ideal places to go to for short excursions. Explore the city's main neighbourhoods, and stop at one of the quintessentially French cafes for lunch or dinner.

Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Art houses over 10,000 works of art, including many notable pieces, which were acquired after the building was rebuilt post-war. A curious initiative of the museum is the so-called "artothèque" — a library of art pieces, which locals are free to borrow for a short period of time.

Parc des Expositions de Penfeld

Parc des Expositions de Penfeld

This is a lovely park located on the banks of the Penfeld river in Brest. It is a great place to come for a walk. There are children's playgrounds on premises, and plenty of great spots for a picnic. The park is also ideal for a jog.

Cours Dajot

Cours Dajot

The tree-lined promenade of Cours Dajot is a perfect location for long walks with loved ones. Beautiful views of the harbour unfold from here, and many restaurants in the vicinity offer great seafood and are especially known for crabs. One end of the promenade is marked by a medieval castle.

Abri Sadi Carnot

Abri Sadi Carnot

Abri Sadi Carnot is a powerful and sobering memorial of great heroism in the face of devastating tragedy during the Second World War. The tunnel was used as a hideout by civilians when it was hit by a bomb, leaving hundreds of people trapped. The monument is guaranteed to stir up emotion.

Square Mathon

Square Mathon

Square Mathon is for those who are interested in taking a glimpse into the past. The square is where some of the remaining pieces of the old Brest city wall and the ancient gate are contained; there is also a stone-carved map that shows the city the way it once was.

Laser Game

Laser Game

Those interested in active pursuits will be pleased to discover that Brest has something to offer in the indoor game department. This family-friendly entertainment venue is a great place to play exhilarating games, which both kids and adults will find exciting.

Biscuiterie Terre d'Embruns

Biscuiterie Terre d'Embruns

A wonderful activity for the whole family, a tour of the Terre d'Embruns biscuit factory offers visitors an insight into the production process of pastries and cookies, allowing guests to follow the process every step of the way. At the end of the tour, a sampling is possible in the on-site cafe.

Petit Minou Lighthouse

Petit Minou Lighthouse

About 15 kilometres westward along the coastline from Brest is the scenic lighthouse Phare du Petit Minou. The structure itself is, unfortunately, no longer open to the public, but the premises are free to be explored, along with the nearby fort and bunker.

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