Sightseeing in Brest - what to see. Complete travel guide

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. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There is very beautiful National botanical garden in the city, it was based more than 40 years ago. Originally the purpose of this garden was a collection of rare disappearing plants, today its visitors can see the unique plants brought from all from all corners of the world. The part of a collection of a botanical garden is presented to a warm season on the open air, and in winter visitors can walk in a beautiful exotic greenhouse. The most interesting place for walks in Brest is the street of Saint-Malo. It is the oldest street in the city which strongly was damaged in the years of World War II. Today all buildings which are almost presented on the street are partially destroyed, for many years the government makes the mass of efforts to restore invaluable historical monuments. It is most interesting to walk on the historical street during the summer period, at this time here hold many interesting festivals and national holidays.

The unique sight of Brest is Rekuvrans Bridge - one of the biggest drawbridges in the territory of Europe which length of flights makes 87 meters. It was constructed in 1954 on a place of the former rotary bridge which was destroyed during military operations in 1944. In spite of the fact that in 2007 this bridge yielded the leading position, it does not cease to strike with the impressive scales.

One of the most beautiful architectural monuments of Brest is the House Fontana. It was constructed at a turn of 17 - 18 centuries and today it is among the oldest houses of the city, to the unusual name the house is obliged to the ancient fountain which was constructed near it in 1760. Initially this magnificent house was under construction for the local priest, and after belonged to one of talented sculptors - Iva Kohl. He independently was engaged in internal registration of the house, many unique elements of an interior remained up to the present. Today the ancient house is converted in the cultural center, poetic evenings and art exhibitions often take place in it.

In the closest vicinities of Brest is a wonderful beach Mulen-Blan which became available to rest quite recently. 20 years ago some large plants settled down in its territory and coastal waters were strongly polluted. In recent years all industrial enterprises were closed, water was cleared at the coast, and many entertaining centers were constructed near a beach.