Visit Brest

The church before you dates back to 1877. It was built in a neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style, and sits in the heart of the Saint-Martin district. It was named after the then-mayor of Brest, Hyacinthe Martin Bizet. The building was severely damaged by bombing during World War II, and underwent restoration work between 1946 and 1948, Read more

This park in the heart of the city is a go-to spot for the locals, who come here for some peace and quiet to enjoy a picnic on the lush green lawns. Kennedy Garden is also a favorite with sports enthusiasts, as it is home to a brand-new, Read more

Situated between Liberty Square and Recouvrance Bridge, Siam Street is one of Brest's busiest thoroughfares, and with good reason. Its many stores make it a prime shopping spot downtown! It owes its name to the Siamese ambassadors who came to Brest from Thailand in the 17th century, Read more

The Saint-Michel Church was built in the 20th century, when the Saint-Martin Church could no longer accommodate the growing number of worshippers in the neighborhood. It was designed in the Gothic style and opened its doors in 1913. Read more

The Cours Dajot is a lovely promenade overlooking the Brest bay and port. It was laid out in 1800 to plans by Louis-Lazare Dajot, Director of Brittany's fortifications. It's a favorite with Brest locals and visitors alike, and makes for a pleasant stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, Read more

Check out that big yellow crane on your left, overlooking the waterfront buildings! That's the Paindavoine n°4, named after the Lille-based company that designed it. It doesn't look like much, but, believe it or not, it’s actually a piece of history! Read more

Indulge in local specialties! The Saint-Louis Covered Market is a foodie's paradise, packed with stalls serving mouth-watering local produce. And let me tell you, the list is pretty long! Even if you've never set foot in Brittany, you've probably heard of one or two of the region's specialties, Read more

Located just a stone's throw from the market, Saint-Louis is France's largest post-war church. The original church was completely destroyed by bombings, and so the city had to build a new one on that very spot, starting in 1955. Read more

This street is one of Brest's main thoroughfares, offering a superb view of the Castle Marina – one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Over 700 boats are moored here! Every four years, Brest's marina also hosts major international maritime festivals, as well as transatlantic races, much to the delight of the locals. Read more

This small square, known as Square l'Herminier, is home to the Guépin Barracks Gate, that is, the remains of a 17th-century barracks that was destroyed during World War II. The gate was once part of a religious school that later became the Guépin military barracks. Read more

The square you're in has a history spanning over 300 years! Designed in 1694 by the famous architect Vauban, it was originally used as a parade ground for the Guards of the Navy. It was known as the “Champ de Bataille” (the “Battlefield”), and later as Place de la Liberté (“Liberty Square”) during the French Revolution. Read more

Before you is the Brest Castle, an iconic landmark of Brest and Brittany in general, and a testament to the city's power in medieval times. It was built on top of the Gallo-Roman ramparts dating back to the 3rd century. Read more

The Commandant Malbert Quay is certainly one of those places where you can really get a feel for the spirit of this port city. It's named after Commandant Louis Marie Malbert, a local man who became captain of a tugboat anchored in Brest since 1924. Read more

You're now standing on the Recouvrance lift bridge, connecting the city center to the historic Recouvrance district across the Penfeld River, which flows through Brest and into its harbor. Inaugurated in 1954, this bridge has long been Europe's largest lift bridge. Read more

So, here we are at the castle entrance. We'll talk more about this famous landmark right after. But first, let's check out the National Maritime Museum. That's right, these two share an entrance. Read more

This four-metre-high bronze statue is the work of local sculptor Jérôme Durand. It depicts two local legends, that is, the heroes of two sea chanteys long known to the people of Brest. One song tells the tragic story of Jean Quémeneur, a young man from the Recouvrance district, Read more

Built in the 14th century, the Tanguy Tower is one of Brest's oldest landmarks. Sadly, you're not looking at the original, as it's been rebuilt twice in the course of its history. It's located on the right bank of the Penfeld River, opposite the Brest Castle, Read more

This is one of Brest's oldest houses! It was built in Logonna yellow stone, black kersantite and pink granite, and is believed to date from the 18th century, although some might disagree. In fact, several 17th-century city maps show a building already standing here a century earlier. Read more

You're now in the heart of the Garden of Explorers, offering stunning views of the city. This garden is a tribute to the men who set sail from Brest in the 18th century to discover new lands – Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, Philibert Commerson, Jacques-Julien Houton de La Billardière and Etienne Raoul. Read more

As you've surely noticed by now, Brest has a cable car that runs over the Penfeld River, connecting the city center with the Capucins district on the opposite riverbank. Nowadays, it's more than just a mode of transport; it has become a real attraction in the heart of Brest, Read more

On your left, you'll see the remains of an arch and four columns. They're the ruins of an old naval barracks built in the 1870s, in the wake of the Franco-Prussian war. It housed French troops and was named after General Jean Fautras, a 19th-century French officer. Read more

If you've ever read the famous Tintin comic strip or watched the animated series, then you've most certainly heard Captain Haddock exclaiming *Thundering typhoons!*. That would be "Tonnerre de Brest" in French, literally meaning “Thunder of Brest.” Read more

This Jesuit-style church was built between 1740 and 1749 on the site of a former 17th-century chapel. The Recouvrance district was rapidly growing at the time, and they needed to build a new, bigger church to accommodate all the faithful. Read more

Trendy boutiques, bars, restaurants and cinemas are all to be found on Jean Jaurès Street, one of the busiest shopping streets in the Capital of the Oceans. In addition to its many stores, which will enthrall the most avid shoppers, Read more