Brest is the second administrative city in Brittany and deserves to be known. A city where Modernism, Neo-classicism, Art nouveau, Art Deco, etc., all come together. Largely destroyed during the bombings in 1944, it has managed to reinvent itself. It has deservedly won the Town of Art and History label, guaranteeing a programme of visits and cultural and heritage activities that are constantly renewed. Future-focused, Brest will surprise you with its many 20th- and 21st-century constructions.
Architectural prowess and a view of the bay
The Iroise Bridge is a very impressive construction! Spanning the Elorn, this magnificent cable-stayed bridge, inaugurated in 1994, is a technical achievement. Admire it from Albert Louppe bridge, now reserved for bikes and pedestrians. From here you will overlook Brest bay.
Take a stroll on the quays
You can’t mention Brest without talking about its commercial port. A walk along the very lively Quai Commandant-Malbert will give you one of the best views of the city. From here, you can admire the hundred or so multi-coloured buoys of the Finistère lighthouses and beacons, see the boatyards that build wooden boats and admire the mythical La Recouvrance schooner and the Abeille-Flandres, one of the most powerful towboats in the world.
A 360° view
Brest also boasts innovative and exemplary projects, such as the Plateau des Capucins, which received the Ecoquartier (eco-district) label in 2009. Situated on a bank of the Penfeld a coastal river, it offers a 360° view of the city. This business and cultural district contains the former monumental workshops used for shipbuilding, now rehabilitated into working areas, as well as art spaces, like the media library or the national centre for street art, Le Fourneau. To get there, hop on the cable car and enjoy a view of Brest from the sky!
Unique in Europe
Continue your exploration. The large dyke of the commercial port takes you almost to the foot of the castle and its marine museum. But don’t leave Brest without visiting Océanopolis. This ocean discovery centre, unique in Europe, has enormous aquariums and a clinic for seals. You can even touch some species of marine life! If you have enjoyed this ocean immersion, now go on a tour of the plant world at the Botanical Conservatory. Go on a journey through a 30-hectare garden with wild plants and exotic flowers. It’s a haven of peace that will delight all your senses!
