BREST FINISTERE

At the edge of Brittany, Brest is a modern, dynamic city with an exceptional maritime community focused on research, industry, fishing, nautical sports and IFREMER, as well as environmental protection. Set in a superb harbour stretching over 180km² with a superbly indented coastline revealing unique landscapes, Brest offers a wide range of nautical activities all year round: sailing, kayaking, kite-surfing, paddling, fishing, diving, boat trips, etc.

You can discover the city from the Recouvrance bridge, which spans the Penfeld and links two districts. On the left bank, in the heart of the Stang Alare valley, is the Conservatoire Botanique. A 30-hectare invitation to discover the world of plants, in a magnificent setting with a tropical greenhouse. Nearby, the medieval castle, the town's oldest historic monument, houses the Musée de la Marine. From the top of its towers, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the harbour and the town.

The harbour at the foot of the château is home to the marina, where you can stroll along the quays and enjoy the many bars and restaurants. Before reaching Océanopolis, a superb ocean discovery park, the Moulin Blanc harbour and its beautiful white sandy beach are well worth a visit.

At 72 m above the Penfeld, take the cable car up to the right bank for a breathtaking view of the harbour and the city of Brest. When you arrive, you'll find the Ateliers des Capucins, an essential third-place in the life of the people of Brest, with its cinema, theatre, media library and shops, as well as a virtual reality adventure park and climbing gym. Below the Atelier, Brest's oldest street, rue Saint-Malo, with its 17th-century Breton houses and cobbled streets, is a timeless little island of greenery and tranquillity. A 15-minute walk away, the Tanguy Tower on its rocky knoll beside the river will plunge you into the life of the people of Brest, along with the Musée du Vieux Brest.

The area around Brest is full of superb landscapes and architectural treasures. These include the town of Landerneau and its charming riverbanks, the gardens of Daoulas Abbey, the Petit-Minou and Saint-Mathieu lighthouses, the Crozon peninsula, the jewel in the crown of the Armorique Regional Nature Park, the island of Ouessant...

There's plenty to discover on your bike too…

Cycle routes
The department of Finistère has over 900 kilometres of departmental cycle routes, of which the city of Brest is the starting and finishing point. Most of these routes have been developed by the department, with appropriate signage, marked out in both directions and secured, giving you access to 3 circuits to discover the city's must-see places, punctuated by highlights such as good places to take a break or admire the most beautiful viewpoints.
Just two minutes from the centre of Brest, you can enjoy a nature break in the Sables Rouges woods. The calm, the natural surroundings and the view over the harbour invite you to relax, and you can take a walk along the paths for a moment of peace or meditation.