Brest, where earth and sea embrace

Originally

Brest, “where the Earth comes to an end", gazes out towards the vast expanse of the ocean. Portal to the open sea, the city has woven its destiny within its maritime stories and rich seafaring heritage. As a historic starting point for sea explorers, Brest also stands as one of the most picturesque segments of the Sentier des douaniers (the Coastal Trail), allowing daredevils on land to reach the “Pointe du Raz" - a hymn to Nature, swept by winds and waves.

Over the centuries

Once a Roman fortified camp, the "City of Ponant" transformed into a key military port for the Kingdom of France in 1631 under Richelieu's decree. Its history has been marked by the shadows of war: feared as a base for German Kriegsmarine submarines, ravaged by Allied bombings during World War II, it still stands as an essential stronghold for the French National Navy - and is home, to this day, to the Naval School’s main facilities.

Nowadays

As a haven for explorers, from Lapérouse to Olivier de Kersauson and Olympic gold medalist sailor Virginie Hériot in 1928 at the Amsterdam Games, Brest has transformed into a prime hub for observing marine ecosystems, with its Center for documentation, research, and experimentation on accidental water pollution (Cedre) and Climsat, a UN program focusing on climate change. The city's commitment to maritime causes was reiterated when hosting the One Ocean Summit in 2022, bringing together over 30 heads of state and government to collaboratively envision a sustainable marine future.

Did you know?

• The Pointe du Raz, home to seals and dolphins, is a rocky promontory forming the westernmost part of the Cap Sizun, a true "prow" rising 72 metres high.

• The Maritime Festivals of Brest, gatherings of 1,000 boats and associated sailors in the Bay of Brest since 1992, bring together enthusiasts of offshore races as well as those familiar with the two kilometres of waves at La Torche, highly prized by surfers.

• Coralie Lassource, the historic captain of Brest Handball, is the captain of the French handball team that won the gold medal in Tokyo.

• Virginie Hériot, navigator and gold medalist at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, whose body was scattered off the coast of Brest upon her death.

• Alain Glavieux and Claude Berrou, two of the three inventors of turbo codes, a groundbreaking innovation in mobile telephony and satellite communication.

• The legend of the Bigoudène women, who sustained the department when their sailor husbands were at sea: the last one is named Alexia Caoudal.

• The expertise of sailmakers who design, cut, and sew sails: Finistère is home to a Sailing Valley.

• Yann Tiersen, Christophe Miossec, and Lorenzo: three artists born in Brest who crafted both turmoil and pleasures within their unique musical creations.

• The 2024 French Skateboarding Championship takes place at the Plougastel-Daoulas Federal Center, the first regional centre in Brittany dedicated to skateboarding.