Travel Guide to Brest, France

Brest is a large port city in France. During the times of the World War II it was used as a military base. German submarines were kept there.

In case you want to learn more about the pre-war history of this city, you should visit the old Castle that is now used as a museum. Also don’t forget to climb up the Tanguy tower and see magnificent views of the city and its suburbs. Another place of interest is the Oceanopolis Center located in the eastern part of Brest. The center is divided into three large pavilions devoted to polar, moderate and tropical zones of ocean. Visitors can see over 40 aquariums with different animals found in the World Ocean. The Centre Atlantique de la Photographie is one of the largest art centers in the country. The square of this gallery exceeds 400 sq. m and each day around 10 exhibitions are conducted here.

If you visit Brest from July to August, you will be able to participate in one of the picturesque annual carnivals that are traditionally organized in the local port. The port turns to the city’s center of entertainment for two months. There you will find music, many locals and tourists, best food from local chiefs, singing and dancing and overall atmosphere of holiday. In November the city turns into a cultural center of the country as at this time takes place a festival of short films. The festival is traditionally conducted in the Quartz cultural center.

It usually takes around two days to visit all main places of interest of Brest. However, you will need much more time to see the historical sites located in the city’s suburbs. Magnificent landscapes, high cliffs stretching to the sky and white sand beaches – the nature of Brest can charm even most experienced traveller. You can rent a yacht and make a ride along the coastal line or go fishing. The only thing that can prevent you from these fascinating activities is weather that sometimes becomes capricious here.