last edited May 11, 2020
What to See in Brest
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Location Map of Brest
Brest
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Overview
Sites, Monuments, and Architectural Landmarks
Naval Base
Brest is home to France’s second-largest naval base, after Toulon. In summer, free guided tours (EU or NATO nationals only) are offered, allowing visitors to explore part of the Arsenal and learn about the site’s history.
Brest is home to France’s second-largest naval base, after Toulon. In summer, free guided tours (EU or NATO nationals only) are offered, allowing visitors to explore part of the Arsenal and learn about the site’s history.
Commercial Port
Beyond its maritime and commercial role, the port is also a lively and festive spot with numerous bars, restaurants, and events like the "Port Thursdays".
Beyond its maritime and commercial role, the port is also a lively and festive spot with numerous bars, restaurants, and events like the "Port Thursdays".
Cable Car
Opened in 2016, this small urban cable car connects the two banks of the Penfeld. It offers a beautiful view of part of the city and the roadstead.
Opened in 2016, this small urban cable car connects the two banks of the Penfeld. It offers a beautiful view of part of the city and the roadstead.
Museums
Fort Montbarey
This military structure on the outskirts of Brest dates back to Vauban. It has been converted into a memorial museum dedicated to Finistère during World War II.
This military structure on the outskirts of Brest dates back to Vauban. It has been converted into a memorial museum dedicated to Finistère during World War II.
Fine Arts Museum
It primarily offers a panorama of French and Italian painting through the centuries.
It primarily offers a panorama of French and Italian painting through the centuries.
National Maritime Museum
It houses a collection of ship models, paintings, sculptures, and various objects showcasing the history of the Brest Arsenal and the French Navy. It is located in the castle, which also serves as the seat of the maritime prefecture.
It houses a collection of ship models, paintings, sculptures, and various objects showcasing the history of the Brest Arsenal and the French Navy. It is located in the castle, which also serves as the seat of the maritime prefecture.
Oceanopolis
This is a showcase for marine sciences. In total, there are around fifty aquariums featuring a good thousand marine species representing three different environments: temperate, polar, and tropical. Various temporary exhibitions and free lectures are also scheduled here each year.
This is a showcase for marine sciences. In total, there are around fifty aquariums featuring a good thousand marine species representing three different environments: temperate, polar, and tropical. Various temporary exhibitions and free lectures are also scheduled here each year.
Tanguy Tower
Also known as the "Old Brest Museum". This is a free municipal museum featuring various historical documents and models reconstructing the city before 1939 (prior to its destruction during the war). The tower itself dates from the 14th century.
Also known as the "Old Brest Museum". This is a free municipal museum featuring various historical documents and models reconstructing the city before 1939 (prior to its destruction during the war). The tower itself dates from the 14th century.
Parks, Gardens, and Natural Spaces
Explorers' Garden
It houses botanical species brought back from around the world by explorers and botanists who set out from Brest. A belvedere offers a fine view of the mouth of the Penfeld River and the Brest roadstead.
It houses botanical species brought back from around the world by explorers and botanists who set out from Brest. A belvedere offers a fine view of the mouth of the Penfeld River and the Brest roadstead.
Moulin Blanc
It’s both a beach and the marina for the Brest urban area. It’s also where you’ll find the Océanopolis science and culture centre and Spadium Parc, the largest aquatic leisure complex in Brittany.
It’s both a beach and the marina for the Brest urban area. It’s also where you’ll find the Océanopolis science and culture centre and Spadium Parc, the largest aquatic leisure complex in Brittany.
Stang-Alar Valley
This valley on the outskirts of Brest has been developed into a botanical conservatory. It is dedicated to plants threatened with extinction. A 22-hectare landscaped park and several tropical greenhouses complete the site.
This valley on the outskirts of Brest has been developed into a botanical conservatory. It is dedicated to plants threatened with extinction. A 22-hectare landscaped park and several tropical greenhouses complete the site.
In the Surrounding Area
Among the interesting sites to see around Brest:
Guimiliau
This small village is home to one of the most beautiful parish enclosures and its calvary in all of Brittany.
This small village is home to one of the most beautiful parish enclosures and its calvary in all of Brittany.
Le Conquet
On the Iroise Sea, it’s a fishing port, secondarily a seaside resort, and above all the departure point for Ouessant and Molène.
On the Iroise Sea, it’s a fishing port, secondarily a seaside resort, and above all the departure point for Ouessant and Molène.
The Abers
These are small estuaries along the coast, particularly north of Brest, offering stunning landscapes.
These are small estuaries along the coast, particularly north of Brest, offering stunning landscapes.
Armorique Regional Nature Park
This is a vast park stretching from the Crozon peninsula to the Monts d'Arrée in the center of the department. It blends various marine and terrestrial natural environments with more urbanized areas.
This is a vast park stretching from the Crozon peninsula to the Monts d'Arrée in the center of the department. It blends various marine and terrestrial natural environments with more urbanized areas.
Plougastel-Daoulas
This commune in the Brest Roadstead, on a beautiful peninsula perfect for hiking, is famous for its strawberries and especially its stunning calvary, one of the most beautiful in the region. The town is also home to numerous small chapels in its surroundings.
This commune in the Brest Roadstead, on a beautiful peninsula perfect for hiking, is famous for its strawberries and especially its stunning calvary, one of the most beautiful in the region. The town is also home to numerous small chapels in its surroundings.
Plounéour-Brignogan Plages
A seaside resort nestled in its bay, with beautiful beaches along the northern coast of Finistère.
A seaside resort nestled in its bay, with beautiful beaches along the northern coast of Finistère.
Crozon Peninsula
Opposite Brest, this peninsula is a major tourist destination. Visitors come for its stunning landscapes (especially the "pointes") and, secondarily, the remnants of various fortifications (from Vauban to World War II). The peninsula can be explored on foot.
Opposite Brest, this peninsula is a major tourist destination. Visitors come for its stunning landscapes (especially the "pointes") and, secondarily, the remnants of various fortifications (from Vauban to World War II). The peninsula can be explored on foot.
Saint-Thegonnec Loc-Eguiner
A commune near Morlaix with a stunning parish close among the "7 monumental calvaries of Brittany" and the ruins of a 13th-century castle.
A commune near Morlaix with a stunning parish close among the "7 monumental calvaries of Brittany" and the ruins of a 13th-century castle.
Additional Information
Must-see & highly recommended
Crozon Peninsula
★★★★ Opposite Brest, this peninsula is a major tourist destination. Visitors come for its stunning landscapes (especially the "pointes") and…
Recommended
Armorique Regional Nature Park
★★★ This is a vast park stretching from the Crozon peninsula to the Monts d'Arrée in the center of the department. It blends various marine and…
Worth a look / Other
Guimiliau
★★ This small village is home to one of the most beautiful parish enclosures and its calvary in all of Brittany.
The Abers
★★ These are small estuaries along the coast, particularly north of Brest, offering stunning landscapes.
Moulin Blanc (Brest)
★★ It’s both a beach and the marina for the Brest urban area. It’s also where you’ll find the Océanopolis science and…
Oceanopolis (Brest)
★★ This is a showcase for marine sciences. In total, there are around fifty aquariums featuring a good thousand marine species representing…
Plougastel-Daoulas
★★ This commune in the Brest Roadstead, on a beautiful peninsula perfect for hiking, is famous for its strawberries and especially its…
Plounéour-Brignogan Plages
★★ A seaside resort nestled in its bay, with beautiful beaches along the northern coast of Finistère.
Saint-Thegonnec Loc-Eguiner
★★ A commune near Morlaix with a stunning parish close among the "7 monumental calvaries of Brittany" and the ruins of a 13th-century castle.
Stang-Alar Valley
★★ This valley on the outskirts of Brest has been developed into a botanical conservatory. It is dedicated to plants threatened with…
Naval Base (Brest)
★ Brest is home to France’s second-largest naval base, after Toulon. In summer, free guided tours (EU or NATO nationals only) are…
Fort Montbarey
★ This military structure on the outskirts of Brest dates back to Vauban. It has been converted into a memorial museum dedicated to Finistère…
Explorers' Garden
★ It houses botanical species brought back from around the world by explorers and botanists who set out from Brest. A belvedere offers a fine…
Le Conquet
★ On the Iroise Sea, it’s a fishing port, secondarily a seaside resort, and above all the departure point for Ouessant and Molène.
Fine Arts Museum (Brest)
★ It primarily offers a panorama of French and Italian painting through the centuries.
National Maritime Museum (Brest)
★ It houses a collection of ship models, paintings, sculptures, and various objects showcasing the history of the Brest Arsenal and the…
Commercial Port (Brest)
★ Beyond its maritime and commercial role, the port is also a lively and festive spot with numerous bars, restaurants, and events like the…
Cable Car (Brest)
★ Opened in 2016, this small urban cable car connects the two banks of the Penfeld. It offers a beautiful view of part of the city and the…
Tanguy Tower
★ Also known as the "Old Brest Museum". This is a free municipal museum featuring various historical documents and models reconstructing the…