AE2009 tourism

Brest enjoys a wonderful location, on the shores of a very large bay, with the beauty of inland and coastal Brittany all around it. The town of Brest was destroyed during the second world war and (quick) rebuilt in a modern style. The city is a centre of commerce, combining the cobbled streets and fortifications of the old port with all the attractions and facilities of the modern city. Anyone who loves ports will want to see the dock yards. Its 17th century castle was spared by the bombs and gives a good point of view of the harbour. The Brest castle now houses a museum and offices of the harbour authorities. The fine arts museum Musee des Beaux-arts is worth finding for it's collection of Pont-Aben school paintings. Brest is famous today for being the home of Oceanopolis - the largest aquarium in Europe. The Oceanpolis is not just an aquarium but a huge research centre and exhibition of sea life and all it's aspects, with huge tanks of fish and sea mammals.

Finistère offers 2,920 miles of waymarked footpaths for wonderful hikes in the very heart of nature. Broaden your knowledge of your favourite areas with the Topo-Guides for hikers. Packed with information, these guides provide you with everything you need to plan your hike.

http://www.finisteretourisme.com/home

Place to visit: Brest castle

Founded in the 3rd century, Brest castle is a mediaeval fortress, finished in the 17th century. It was an essential protection for the town of Brest and its port. Having recently undergone extensive restoration, the fort gives an excellent impression of the fortified life of old Brest. The six-hectare site has also been restored to its natural condition and offers some great walking paths which lead to the Penfeld River.

http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/%5C/page/affichelieu.php?idLang=en&idLieu=181
http://www.mairie-brest.fr/brest/chateau_brest.htm (french)
Localization

top

Place to visit: Naval Museum of Brest

Situated inside the Brest castle, the Naval Museum is this superb collection of model ships, paintings and sculptures. Originally part of the Naval Museum of Paris, this collection was first established in 1748, making it the oldest naval museum in the world. The exhibition of naval ship models is unrivaled and illustrates the history of Richelieus arsenal and the French fleet at the height of its glory. From the Madeleine tower to the dungeons, the towers and small courtyards, the castle tour affords magnificent views over Brest harbour.

http://www.musee-marine.fr/site/en/oeuvres_phares_brest
http://www.mairie-brest.fr/brest/musee_marine.htm (french)
http://www.musee-marine.fr/site/fr/histoire_chateau_brest (french)
Localization

top

Place to visit: Museum of Fine Arts

Like Brest itself, this museum and its paintings were destroyed by the bombings during the second world war in 1941. Rebuilt in 1964, this building has become a cornerstone of the new city. The museums collection contains European paintings from the 16th century onwards including many works from the regional Pont-Aven Post Impressionist School. The main attraction is its symbolist exhibition, considered one of the best in Europe.

http://www.mairie-brest.fr/brest/musee_beauxarts.htm (french)
Localization

top

Place to visit: Recouvrance bridge

The Recouvrance bridge across the river Penfeld has been opened on 17th July 1954. It was the largest vertical lift bridge in Europe from its construction until the opening of the Pont Gustave-Flaubert in 2008. It links the bottom of the rue de Siam to the quartier de Recouvrance, replacing a swing bridge (the pont National) destroyed by Allied bombardment in 1944.

http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0002932
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/alain.liscoet/le_pont_tournantan.htm
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_de_Recouvrance (french)
Localization

top

Place to visit: Albert Louppe bridge and Iroise bridge

The Albert Louppe Bridge, by the name of a General Council Chairman was completed in 1930, partially destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt in 1949. This one kilometer-long bridge, which set a world records with its continuons spans in reinforced concrete, could no longer tope with the heavy road traffic.
Replaced by the Iroise Bridge, located on its side, the Albert Louppe Bridge is now a place for walking, and front where you look down over the Élorn and the Brest harbour.
The Iroise Bridge, a table-stayed bridge with 2 x 2 ways, inaugurated on 12 July 1994, is a technical exploit. The deck is 800 m -2 624, 67 feet- long and there are 400 metres between two pylons. It was the longest span in the world when it was opened.

http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0000056
http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0000375
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Albert-Louppe (french)
Localization

top

Place to visit: Brest harbour

The Azénor company (localization) offers boat trips with commentary on the harbour of Brest. It is also possible to dine on board.

Other maritimes excursions:
http://www.finisteretourisme.com/home/places-of-interest/walks-itineraries/by-boat/

top

Place to visit: Iroise sea

Come discover the Islands Ouessant and Molène aboard a boat whose bottom is fitted with large windows that allow visitors to discover the fauna and flora of the Iroise Sea.