Travel and visit
Brest is Brittany’s second largest administrative centre, and has a great deal to offer. Although it was heavily bombed in 1944, this is by no means the town’s most interesting feature: it has rebuilt itself around a vision of the future, with incredible constructions like the Pont de l’Iroise bridge, which crosses the river Elorn. An amazing feat of architecture, this magnificent cable-stayed bridge was opened in 1994. Admire it from Albert Louppe bridge, which is for pedestrians and cyclists only. It’s a great place to take a walk and enjoy the view of the famous Brest harbour, the ‘Rade de Brest’, a sheltered area of the sea big enough for great ships to lie at anchor.
Another key feature of a visit to Brest is its commercial port. One of the best ways of getting a feel for the town’s character is to stroll along the docks at the Quai Commandant-Malbert. You’ll be able to see the hundreds of coloured buoys put in place by Finistere’s Lighthouses and Beacons department, shipyards building wooden boats, the legendary schooner La Recouvrance and the Abeille-Flandres, one of the most powerful tugboats in the world.
Brest, it is also innovative and exemplary projects, such as the “Plateau des Capucins” which obtained the Ecodistrict Label in 2009. This site is situated on one of the two banks of the Penfeld, a 16 km long coastal river, and offers an admirable 360° view over the city. At the same time district of business and culture, the city mixes monumental construction sites intended for the shipbuilding and places of art such as the Médiathèque or the Fourneau. Add to it that Brest is very accessible, in particular because it is connected with the other bank of the river by the 1st urban cable car (téléphérique) of France, which offers another incredible view of Brest, this time seen from above.
Things to do in Brest
Phare du Petit Minou
About 15 kilometers 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.
Useful Information
Address: Plouzane, France
Opening hours: 24/7
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. The Navy
Museum inside is certainly not to be missed.
Useful Information
Address: Château de Brest, Brest
Email: brest@musee-marine.fr
Opening hours: 1st April - 30th September:
10.00am - 06.30pm. 1st October - 31st March: 01.30pm -
06.30pm.
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.
Useful Information
Address: Port de Plaisance du Moulin Blanc, Brest
Phone: +33 298 34 40 40
Naval Museum
This is a branch of the Naval 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.
Useful Information
Address: Château de Brest, Brest
Opening hours: 1st April - 30th September:
10.00am - 06.30pm. 1st October - 31st March: 01.30pm -
06.30pm.
The 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
(however, its true origins remain unknown).
Useful Information
Address: Square Pierre Péron, Brest
Opening hours: October - May: Wednesday -
Thursday: 02.00pm - 05.00pm. Weekend: 02.00pm - 06.00pm.
June -September: daily: 10.00am - 12.00pm, then 02.00pm
- 07.00pm.
Tour Information
Brest Bretagne - Airport
Brest Bretagne Airport is situated just a few kilometres
from the city centre. A shuttle bus runs between the
train station and the airport daily, stopping at
Saint-Luc and the Place de la Liberté next to the
tourist information office. The Shuttle takes 10 min to
Saint-Luc and 14 min to Place de la Liberté. The first
shuttle leaves the train station at 06.00.
Useful Information
Address: Aéroport Brest Bretagne, Guipavas
Email: info@brest.aeroport.fr
Phone: +33 298 32 86 00
Website:
www.brest.aeroport.fr
Public Transport
A public bus service links all parts of Brest to one
another, and a train service is available from the
central station for trips further afield. The main
station for both is in the Place due 19eme RI.
Public transportation tickets may be bought at ticket
vending machines with either cash or card; day tickets
with unlimited rides are available and may be a good
idea for a full day of sightseeing.
Useful Information
Address: Place due 19eme, Brest
Phone: Train service: +33 36 35 / Bus service: + 33 810
81 00 29
Taxi
Taxis are available from outside the airport and the bus
and rail stations.
Allo Taxi Brest
+33 298 42 11 11
Aux Taxis Radios Brestois
+33 298 80 18 01
www.taxisbrestois.com
Allo association artisans taxis Brestois
+33 899 87 67 16
Post
Yellow post boxes can be found throughout the city.
La Poste:
Useful Information
Address: 90 Rue de Siam, Brest
Opening hours: Mon-Wed & Fri 9am-6pm, Thurs 10am-6pm,
Sat 9am-12pm
Phone: +33 298 33 37 30
Pharmacy
Pharmacies are recognised by a large green cross outside
the premises and are generally open 9am to 1pm and from
around 2pm - 7pm daily, except Sunday. A list of
emergency pharmacies is displayed on the front window.
Pharmacie Marzin Monguillon
39 Rue Louis Pasteur, Brest
www.pharmacie-marzin-monguillon.fr
+33 2 98 44 24 91
Pharmacie
Centre Commercial Coat Ar Guéven
50 Rue Jean Jaurès, Brest
+33 2 98 44 37 00
Useful Information
Phone: Dial 112 or 15 (local number) in the event of an
medical emergency
Telephone
Country code: +33
Area code: (0) 2 98
Electricity
220/240 V AC, 50Hz