As the second largest city in Brittany, Brest has been part of the very small circle of the dozen or so major French cities since 2015. Bordered by an exceptional 18,000 hectare harbour known to sailors around the world, Brest is a city where people live well. Ideally located on the Atlantic coast, at the western tip of Europe, this maritime city has shaped its history over the centuries. And will organize in July the largest maritime gathering in France. Like every four years.
A port city
Many famous people have left their mark on it. Richelieu laid the foundations for the future military port with the beginning of shipbuilding on the banks of the Penfeld. Under Colbert, the city developed and benefited from the work of the ingenious Vauban, some of whose remains are still there.
In addition, it is from the port of Brest that great explorers such as La Pérouse, Kerguelen and Bougainville have left to discover new worlds. These names evoke journeys and prefigure the scientific missions still being carried out today by Ifremer's ships, the Polar Institute or the French Navy, which are strongly present here. Indeed, Brest is home to the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture in its castle and undoubtedly positions itself as the leading naval defence base in France. The ultra-protected sanctuary of the Strategic Oceanic Force's nuclear-powered submarines is established there. An important military port, therefore, a scientific port, the ports of commerce and ship repair (the 1st in France), without forgetting the marinas and the fishing port, this legitimately authorizes the metropolis of Western Brittany to claim itself as the only French city with six ports
The harbor of all records
Because Brest is the sea par excellence. No doubt about it. It is not a slogan, it is a reality with this magnificent harbour, a real inland sea, which over the years has become one of the most beautiful water sports stadiums in Europe. This exceptional site invites you to sail and travel to the islands of the Iroise Sea, and allows you to perfect your sailing skills and indulge in the pleasures of pleasure. It is here that major regattas are organised, but also maritime festivals every 4 years since 1992. With a capacity of 2,200 places spread between the mythical port of Le Moulin Blanc and the recent Marina du Château located at the foot of the city centre, the city has established itself as Brittany's leading water sports centre. A port of departure and arrival for major sailing competitions, and considering the achievements of the greatest sailors in transatlantic races or around the world, this city is known and recognized by sailors around the world as "the port of records". It is from this port that sailors and boats who want to break the round the world record solo or crewed sailors come and go. Brest has also chosen to pay tribute to record holders with a record walk along the Marina du Château. There are handprints of famous sailors cast in bronze plates on the ground. To recall the fabulous exploits around the world or across the Atlantic that have been achieved by prestigious skippers such as Cammas, Coville, Monet, Mc Arthur, Van Den Heede, Peyron, Joyon, Blake, Kersauson... Finally, the sea and its treasures can be found in Oceanopolis, a park dedicated to discovering the world's seas, which is the leading leisure facility in Brittany.
A dynamic and cultural destination
A young city, Brest is home to more than 23,000 students at its university and colleges. Another asset is that the ocean metropolis concentrates nearly 60% of French marine science and technology research on the Brest Iroise technopole, an internationally renowned site. It is also a city that cares about its environment with an ultra-modern tramway that runs more than 14 km from one end of the city to the other. It is also here that the national headquarters of the Marine Areas was established, immediately after the creation of the first French Marine Natural Park. This one, inaugurated in 2007, now serves as a model for future projects in metropolitan France and overseas France. And then, how can we talk about this city without mentioning the National Botanical Conservatory, an internationally renowned structure created more than 40 years ago and home to dozens of protected plant species that are unique in the world?
Brest is therefore a metropolis that stands out for the number and quality of its facilities and proudly displays its cultural successes. Le Quartz has the status of the first national stage and offers varied and highly appreciated shows all year round. Renowned events such as the European Short Film Festival take place there every year. And then this city and its very special architecture, a legacy of post-war reconstruction, has a particular charm with its districts, all very different from each other: Recoverance, Saint-Marc, Kerinou, Saint-Pierre, Lambézellec, Saint-Martin...
Finally, in July and August, the quays of the commercial port are punctuated by free concerts and musical shows on Port Thursdays. Another opportunity to go for a ride in the harbour!
The largest maritime gathering in France
But every 4 years, the city of Brest is in turmoil. At the time of the celebration of the largest maritime gathering in France, it is then only a question of sails, moorings, rigging and navigation thinking 6 days! And this tradition, which has been going on since the first gathering of old rigging in 1992, is fast approaching as it is scheduled for next summer. In July 2020, the tip of Brittany will be the meeting place for all the sailors and marines of the world! The sailors of the world, the curious of the sea, the amateurs of beautiful hulls, will meet from July 10 to 16 in the bay of Brest to share their passion. As in every edition, guests of honour are welcomed in the bay of Brest and will present their maritime traditions, culture and gastronomy. Not to mention, of course, the participation of the great European maritime nations and, above all, the arrival, as in every edition, of a mythical boat. Beyond the encounters and the sharing of the love of sailing, it is a general joy and a remarkable nautical experience that everyone is invited to share. During the day, stroll along the banks of the Penfeld, the usually closed military area of the Arsenal, board old rigging and mythical boats and ships of the French Navy... And in the evening, in an authentic and lively atmosphere, the docks will put on their clothes of light for lively, dancing evenings, culminating in a naval parade of sound, light and pyrotechnics. In town, on the water, on the quayside or on board, crews from all over the world will gather in Brest to take part in this renowned maritime celebration. The biggest international maritime event of 2020 is in Brest and nowhere else. So, on your agendas!
Smart info
When? When? The arrival of the sunny days allows you to enjoy Brest, on the sea side. To attend the international maritime festivals, visit us from 10 to 16 July 2020.
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