Car Hire Brest

Brest is a city in the Brittany department of France, located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France. Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon. It was Cardinal Richelieu who transformed Brest into a military harbour and it remained this way until the second part of the 20th century. Nowadays, Brest is an important university town with more than 20.000 students.

Top Attractions Within Brest

The Chateau de Brest is one of the most beautiful castles in Brest and it is also the oldest monument in town. The castle is located aqt the mouth of the River Penfeld at the heart of Brest. The site has over 1700 years of history, holding right up to the present day its original role as a military fortress and a strategic location of the highest importance.

The Pont de Recouvrance is a vertical lift bridge in Brest, across the River Penfeld. Opened on 17th July 1954, it was the largest vertical lift bridge in Europe until the opening of the Pont Gustave Flaubert. The bridge is crossed by trolleybuses from its opening. The Bridge has become a landmark for Brest.

The Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest is a wonderful botanical garden located in the heart of Brest. The conservatory itself was founded in 1977 with a primary mission to preserve endangered species from the Armorican Massive, France, Europe and islands around the world, but also from Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand. This is the perfect place to come and relax amidst the many trees.

Brest Beach is located a few kilometres out of town, where there are impressive landscapes, sandy beaches and tall granite cliffs. Sunbathing, windsurfing, yachting and fishing are enjoyed in the area. Along both banks of the Penfeld River, there is the naval port, which is in great part excavated in rock. Here, you can enjoy a wonderful time under the sun or in the refreshing water.