Our top five sights

Océanopolis

Not only for kids, the famous white domes of Océanopolis contain exhibitions of arctic, tropical and temperate marine life of every imaginable shape and size. You can watch the mesmerising sharks or cute penguins, or find out what wonders flourish in Breton waters. Moulin Blanc, 02 9834 4040
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Conservatoire Botanique National

The Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest. A wonderful place to go for a walk and to relax for everyone in the family.More

Musée National de la Marine

The imposing Château de Brest, restored after WWII bombing, dominates the Penfeld River and now houses a maritime museum with some choice exhibits from the Bretons’ unparalleled sea-going past. Stunning views over the Rade de Brest add an extra dimension. Château de Brest, 02 9822 1239
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Naval base

The naval base including former German submarine pens can be visited at certain times, but you need a passport for identification and cameras are not allowed. The guided tour usually involves boarding a warship.02 9822 1178
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Tour Tanguy

A jaunty restored 14th-century tower overlooking the river contains the town history museum, a quirky and very visual display with models and photos that really do tell a good story. Entry is free. Square Pierre Péron, 02 9800 8793
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Our top five activities

Sailing on the Rade de Brest

Azenor offers daily boat trips around the Rade de Brest and Crozon peninsula in the summer months.Moulin Blanc, 02 9841 4623
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Visit the Atlantic island

Take a boat further afield to visit the Atlantic islands of Molène (ideal day trip) or remote and mysterious Ouessant. If you’re lucky, there may be dolphins near Pointe Saint-Mathieu. Penn Ar Bed operates from the Port de Commerce.02 9880 8080
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Watersports

The Centre Nautique du Moulin Blanc is the best base for sailing or floating off across the Rade, with tuition and equipment hire, and there are also diving possibilities with Eau Libre (rue de Amiral Trude).02 9802 3673
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Golfing

Two courses (18 and 9 holes) designed by Michael Fenn and renowned for their beautiful setting are available at Golf de Brest Iroise, about 20 minutes from the city in Saint Urbain. Parc de loisirs de Lann Rohou, Saint Urbain, 02 9885 1617
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Parachute jump

For the ultimate thrill, what about an accompanied parachute jump over the island of Ouessant? Aéro Tandem Celtic will hold your hand.06 6250 4464
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Our top five events

June: Fête des Fraises

Plougastel (9km from Brest) is famous for its succulent strawberries and this annual festival celebrates their bounty with parades in local costume, music and Breton dancing.
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July: Fêtes Mediévales de Saint Renan

This lovely Old Town (11km from Brest) re-enacts its medieval past every two years (next 2013) in grand style, with a great market, costumed spectacles and music.
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July/August:  Les Jeudis du Port

Free concerts and entertainment on Brest commercial port every Thursday from 25th July to 15th August, 2013.

October: Atlantique Jazz Festival

A week of fine jazz offerings from traditional to experimental, where international artists rub shoulders with local talent at various venues in Brest.
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November: Brest European Short Film Festival

Le Quartz arts centre hosts this collection of sharp, serious, ingenious, funny and sometimes downright strange films from all over Europe.
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It’s never truly springtime until Le Printemps des Sonneurs has sounded in Brest. This annual celebration of Celtic music – this year on 25th May – fills the air with melodies by (amongst others) Breton group Kevrenn Sant-Mark and is a real insiders’ event.     CityJet offers two return flights a week from Brest to London City and seasonal flights to Dublin

Shopping

Brest is known for its sophisticated boutiques in and around the central Rue de Siam. There’s everything from traditional hats (48 rue de Siam) to the hip streetwear of Since Street (182 rue Jean-Jaurès, 02 9082 5236). Try the full chocolate experience at Histoire de Chocolat (60 rue de Siam, 02 9844 6609) or the enormous Dialogues nearby for books and music, with coffee while browsing. For Breton products, the best range is at the Roi de Bretagne in the Port de Commerce. There are local markets every day in Brest but the best are foodies’ favourite on Saturday mornings in Saint-Martin and a large collection of mixed stalls on Sunday morning at Saint-Louis.

Food & Drink

Brest’s restaurants mostly specialise in seafood, from Michelin-starred L’Armen (21 rue de Lyon, 02 9846 2834) to the famous Crabe Marteau (8 quai de la Douaine, 02 9833 3857) whose name says it all – you get a crab and mallet (with sauces and potatoes alongside). L’Imaginaire (23 rue Fautras, 02 9843 3013) offers stylish dining with an emphasis on quality local products, like fashionable Le M (22 rue Commandant Drogou, 02 9847 9000), an off-centre venue popular with locals. For a real marine experience and absolutely delicious seafood, visit Aux Vieux Gréements (145 quai Eric Tabarly, 02 9843 2048). Just out of town in a verdant valley near Moulin Blanc is the Crêperie du Stang Alar for a simple meal of traditional tasty Breton pancakes.

Nightlife

The liveliest night scene in Brest is to be found around the Port de Commerce where bars and restaurants line the quays. On Thursday evenings in summer, huge music stages are erected here with headline bands from around the world. Make for Le Living Room (9 rue Amiral Nielly, 02 9844 2595) or Le Square up in the town (14 rue Kéréon, 02 9843 4363) for dancing to current sounds. The Carène (30 rue Jean-Marie le Bris, 02 9846 6600) is the hotspot for contemporary music, and jazz/electro-jazz lovers will want to check out the Cabaret Vauban (17 avenue Georges Clemenceau, 02 9846 0688). Quality theatre, dance and classical concerts are to be found at the arts centre Le Quartz (Place de la Liberté, 02 9833 9500).

Accommodation in Brest

Brest has a good range of hotels from the vibrant art deco luxury of Le Continental (Square de la Tour d’Auvergne, 02 9880 5040) to a well-situated budget option like the Agena (10 rue Frégate la Belle Poule, 02 9833 9600) above the commercial port. Local icon the Hotel Vauban (17 avenue Georges Clemenceau, 02 9846 0688) near the tourist office is moderately priced, and so is Les Gens de Mer (44 quai de la Douane, 02 9846 0740) if you want to be in the thick of the quayside nightlife. Apartments are another possibility but they tend to be situated a little way from the centre - Appart’City (02 9846 3606) has two offerings in Brest. 

Our Favourites

Hotel Le Continental - Square de la Tour d'Auvergne,29200 Brest, France Tel: +33(0)2 98 80 50 40, Website: http://www.oceaniahotels.com/hotel-lecontinental-brest?lg=UK Behind this large building located in the heart of Brest’s town center, discover a non-smoking hotel full of character that has made a name for itself in Brest. The hotel’s art deco style, its large, peaceful foyer and its warm welcome will charm you and give you a pleasant, quality stay in Brest’s region. You’ll appreciate its ideal location in the center of Brest near the Chateau and the new Port de Plaisance marina, and 50 metres from the famous Siam street.

Hotel Oceania Brest - 82 rue de Siam 29200 Brest, France Tel: +33 (0)2 98 80 66 66, Website: www.oceaniahotels.com/hotel-oceania-brest-centre Completely renovated in 2007, the Hotel Oceania**** Brest Centre is a real institution in Brest. The hotel, which is completely non-smoking, is located in the heart of Brest's town centre on the famous Rue de Siam, near the train station, the Palais des Congrès (Le Quartz) and the Chateau.

Saint Louis Hotel - 6, rue Algésiras, 29200 Brest, France tel: +33 02 98 44 23 91, Email: info@brest-hotel.com, Website: www.brest-hotel.com The Saint Louis Hotel welcomes you in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. You can find all the connections for transportation and main local attractions within walking distance: Railway station, Bus station, the congress the "Quartz", office of tourism, schools, cinemas, stage of departure for the islands, government, hospitals And you will discover the charm of Saint Louis area with its halls, its market, shops, restaurants, creperies.

Flights from London City LCY to Brest  BES with CityJet.

Several times a day, the shuttle connects the Brest Bretagne airport with the tramway station at Porte de Guipavas (10 minutes).

All the main sights are within walking distance except the pleasure port of Moulin Blanc and Océanopolis 3km east of Brest, with a regular bus service (Line 3). There’s a central taxi rank by the cinema complex in the Place de le Liberté. Parts of the famous Breton coastline are also accessible by bus or a short taxi ride.

Brest tourist office - Click here
Finistère tourist offices - Click here

Brest Airport Information

Brest Brittany Airport (BES) Website: www.brest.aeroport.fr General information: Tel: + 33 2 98 32 86 00 Email: info@brest.aeroport.fr Check in Brest Brittany Airport now has a brand new terminal much bigger than the original (nearly five times more surface area), getting around therefore will take a little longer. Passengers are advised to arrive a few minutes earlier than the suggested time frame. Check-in generally closes 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Search For Flights

Car Rental For exclusive discounts of up to 15% and up to 800 Flying Blue Miles, rent from our exclusive car rental partner Hertz at Brest Airport.   Hertz Car Hire Car parking Brest Brittany Airport has 3 different car parks with nearly 2,500 spaces (including 430 under cover on 2 levels, directly connected to the airport terminal). Shuttle service A shuttle service links Brest city centre and Brest Bretagne airport several times a day. It stops at the tourist office, Place Albert 1er, Saint Luc and the railway station. Tickets can be purchased on the bus. Drop off zone There is a drop off zone situated in front of the forecourt of the new terminal (on the third traffic and parking lane). The duration of the drop off is limited to the time it takes to either pick up or drop off passengers.