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Thinking of exploring France? Then consider a detour to Brest, a city that always warmly welcomes its visitors. Situated at the extreme west of Brittany, Brest is the capital of the Finistère department. While it was once known for its port and military bases, today, it gains recognition from its universities and higher education institutions. It also boasts a number of interesting places to show off to its guests. Here, according to us, are the top 10 must-see things in Brest for a weekend (or more).
🗺️ A bit further north. Another Breton city popular with tourists is Saint-Malo. And if you’re still hesitating about visiting, perhaps our little guide will convince you.
🗒️ What you need to know before your trip to Brest
Before we start our list of must-see things in Brest, here are some small tips for your upcoming stay.
How to get to Brest from Paris?
An essential question, not because we’re obsessed with Paris, but because the capital is the main railway and road hub in France, and often the mandatory stop for holidaymakers wishing to visit Brittany. If you’re on the road, the quickest way is to take the A11 to Le Mans, then the A81/E50 and finally finish on the National 12. As for the train, it’s not more complicated: there are eight departures from Paris every day, most of them are direct TGVs. Expect a journey of between 3.5 and 4 hours.
Which hotel to choose in Brest?
The city isn’t full of hotels, but the ones that are there are of good quality. One of the most renowned is L’Amirauté Brest. Elegant and comfortable, the establishment is right in the city centre, only 1 km from the station, 500 metres from the Quartz conference centre and a 20-minute walk from the port. Ideal, then, for visiting the city.
In the same vein, there’s the Hôtel Oceania Brest. It’s even closer to the station than L’Amirauté. The rooms are quite large, with modern décor, and the breakfast is quite hearty.
Another reliable option is the Best Western Plus Europe Hotel Brest. This hotel chain, which has significantly modernised in recent years, provides a comfortable establishment (with a spa and a gym, no less), all in a half-industrial, half-Nordic decor. It’s hard to have a bad stay there. At least, we think so.
What time of year to visit Brest?
Let’s not kid ourselves, we’re in the heart of Brittany, a stunning region but not known for its sunshine rate. For decent temperatures, favour the months of May to September. You’ll find temperatures averaging around 20 degrees.
🔝 The 10 must-see things to see in Brest
Let’s get to the activities, and you’ll find that there is no shortage of them in Brest. To help you make a choice and optimise your time in this Breton city, here are the top 10 must-see things in Brest.
The cable car
The best way to explore Brest in depth (or rather from above) is to do it from the air, comfortably seated in your cabin. As you may have guessed, taking the cable car is a fun and entertaining way to explore this city. Depending on the cable car line chosen, departures are every 5 minutes during peak hours. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some unforgettable shots of the city. And this might also help you locate the following places…
The National Maritime Museum
As mentioned earlier, Brest is known for its naval and military past. If you want to immerse yourself in this history, what better way than visiting the National Maritime Museum (official website)? You’ll find objects, sculptures, and paintings related to the maritime world. This museum is housed in the Brest Castle.
Penfeld Park
Penfeld Park is also a must-see in the city of Brest. Whether for reading a novel, meditating, relaxing or engaging in sporting activities such as jogging or cycling, this park is the ideal place! You will undoubtedly love its green spaces, its trees, its well-maintained lawns. Even children will find their happiness with the large playground reserved for them.
Moulin Blanc beach
The port city of Brest also offers stunning beaches, including the Moulin Blanc beach. This beautiful expanse of fine sand faces calm and beautiful blue water. The place is suitable for all kinds of sports activities – not far from there, near the place called “La Cantine”, you can even find a surf spot. Whether for swimming, sunbathing, or picnicking, this paradisiacal setting will be perfect.
Saint Martin’s Church
Located in the neighbourhood bearing the same name and close to Jean Jaurès street, Saint Martin’s church is a historic building that deserves a place on this list of must-sees in Brest. It’s a splendid edifice built in a neo-gothic style with beautiful stones. Constructed in 1881, it withstood the bombings of World War II that destroyed most of the city of Brest. Whether you are devout Christians or just tourists; this church, symbol of old Brest, is worth a visit. The same goes for its famous Saint-Martin neighbourhood, known for its vibrant atmosphere and fresh produce market.
The garden of the National Botanical Conservatory of Brest
This premier place for biodiversity preservation welcomes you with its tropical plant greenhouses, waterfalls and plants from different species. This large 30-hectare space dedicated to nature, gardening enthusiasts, and plant lovers also hosts many events such as exhibitions and workshops (read the program here). A guided tour is highly recommended.
The Oceanopolis
For a thorough understanding of the world’s marine ecosystems and better preservation of these, a visit to Océanopolis, a natural centre of scientific culture dedicated to the ocean, is a must. In short, it’s a large public aquarium designed by the architect Jacques Rougerie in 1990. The structure includes 8700 square meters of visiting spaces and 4 million litres of seawater. Just that. Another must-see in Brest.
Saint-Malo street
This Brest street is located in the Pontaniou valley, below the Capuchin plateau, in the Recouvrance district. This authentic-looking and uniquely charming street captivates many: on one side, the high wall of the Madeleine courtyard and its fountain; on the other, houses from the 17th and 19th centuries, with their small gardens and terraces at the back. You’ll love strolling on the cobblestone of Saint-Malo Street and enjoying the view offered by its shops, restaurants and cafes.
The valley of Stang Alar
This former quarry transformed into a botanical garden, where endangered plants are preserved, is the ideal place if you want to enjoy a little calm and admire the beauty of nature away from the city. Its ponds, trails and green spaces, spread over 40 hectares, make it charming and put Stang Alar Valley on your (and our) list of must-sees in Brest.
Halles Saint-Louis
The Saint-Louis hall is a large commercial space in Brest where you can get good deals (map). If you like second-hand shops or discounted items, this is the go-to place in the region. Every Monday, local craftsmen come out and offer all kinds of products. To know everything about the opening hours and products sold in the different halls and markets of Brest, visit this page.
The city of Brest manages to find the right balance between authenticity and modernity to quench your thirst for discovery and adventure. The various places mentioned above are representative of the different tourist attractions and cultural activities that this city offers. Must-sees that you’d be wrong to miss.