Brest, the city of Ponant, has everything to seduce passing tourists, as well as families who have come to settle for an extended stay. The city and its surroundings leave no one indifferent. Even when it rains! « Remember, Barbara, wrote Jacques Prévert, it was raining constantly in Brest that day, and you were walking, smiling, radiant, dripping, in the rain. » What to do ? What to see? There is only the embarrassment of the choice. There’s something for everyone: history buffs, ocean lovers or unrepentant strollers.
Summary
Places steeped in history
Facing the castle, it is tempting to forget the tower of the motte Tanguy. However, what a great introduction to the history of Brest! The museum of the Tanguy tower brings together a superb collection of models and dioramas which tell everything about the evolution of Brest, over the centuries and in relief.
The museum is open, square Pierre Péron, at least almost every afternoon, and theadmission is free and free.
The ocean, anything goes
In Brest, the ocean is omnipresent:
- the old castle of Brest houses the national museum of the navy. Some pieces are unique, such as the real-size imperial canoe of Napoleon 1st or the stern ornaments of the « Réale » galley. Entrance full price costs 7 €audio guide included.
- the giant Océanopolis aquarium, a marvel that won over 400,000 visitors in 2017, displays the richness of its 68 aquariums, distributed between its various themed pavilions, rue des Cormorans, marina du moulin blanc. prices vary from 11.5 € to 18 € per person. The natural ocean discovery park is open every day, in high season, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Strolls for « the inside »
Beautiful things await the visitor at the fine arts museum in the city center, 24 rue Traverse: paintings by masters such as the piazzetta San Marco by Canaletto, but also important collections of sculptures and graphic arts.
the full price is 6 € per person. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Strolls for « outside »
Can’t escape the siam street which stretches from Place de la Liberté to the emblematic Recouvrance Bridge :
- The street, now pedestrianized and very lively, owes its name to the passage of the embassy of the King of Siam, the former name of Thailand, who came to meet Louis XIV at Versailles in June 1686.
- For a long time, the Recouvrance bridge was the largest lift bridge in Europe. It offers a magnificent view of the Arsenal and the military port. For the record, it connects the right bank district of « yannicks » to the left bank district of « ti-zefs ».
Brest, starting point for unforgettable excursions
By taking the Brestoaboat of the maritime company of the Rade, the passengers can not only discover the harbor of Brest and go to the peninsula of Crozon, but also to taste the delicious PPVR (pain-pâté-vin-rouge) which accompany, depending on the season, oysters or strawberries from Plougastel.
As for the most indefatigable, they can always go to Lorient, 139 km away, via Concarneau and find there the memory of the india company.
