Culture of Brest. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Brest is a beautiful city with rich history. It was damaged severely during the Second World War, so today tourists can see only a fraction of historic sites and place of interest that have managed to survive. The ancient castle of Brest and Tour Tanguy Tower located not far away from it are known as the most famous attractions of the city. The castle was built in the 14th century. This is a powerful fortification, which may seem a little severe and grim at a glance. The old tower has become the location of a museum, the exhibition of which is devoted to pre-war history of the city. Among the priceless exhibits of the museum you will surely find old photographs and documents, as well as a large collection of paintings and historical artifacts.

The eastern part of Brest is the location of another important excursion destination - Okeanapolis. The large-scale center is divided into several themed zones, each of which is devoted to the peculiarities of a particular climate zone. The center is home to 40 huge aquariums in total. Here guests of the center will see a rich collection of inhabitants of the oceans and other marine creatures. Visitors are free to make an excursion around the center and listen to interesting lectures. A photo with seals and penguins that live in the Polar pavilion will become a wonderful memorable item.

Fans of photography should definitely visit Centre Atlantique de la Photographie Gallery, which was opened in 1996. Each year the gallery hosts more than a dozen of various exhibitions that feature works of most famous photographers of the country. Returning to the subject of architectural monuments of Brest, we should definitely not forget to mention Recouvrance Bridge, which is widely known as the largest drawbridge in Europe. The length of the bridge is 87 meters; this is one of the most prominent architectural sites of Brest. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Without a doubt, Promenade Cours Dajot is the best place for walking. The promenade offers dramatic views of the city’s port district and Brest canal. Quite a notable fact – the promenade is paved on the ancient castle walls that once have surrounded the city. Maritime Museum occupies one of the most beautiful historic buildings of Brest. This is the place where you can see an interesting collection of exhibits, which are connected with the sea. Here are exhibited interesting tools used by sailors, old maps and historical documents. Connoisseurs of art will be interested in visiting Museum of Fine Arts, which exhibits works by Lacombe, Monet and other famous followers of Pont-Aven school.

Phare du Petit Minou is a must-visit destination. It is here that you can behold the most amazing sunsets in the city. The views here amaze even the most avid tourist, who does not seem to be surprised by anything. This lighthouse was built in 1848 There is a beautiful bridge that leads to it, walking along which you can feel the spirit of the time hovering in the air. You should definitely take a walk along Pont de Recouvrance, which was once the largest bridge in all of Europe. Many people consider the place to be the most picturesque in the entire region. The peculiarity of the place is that beautiful views of the naval port can be beheld from here, and, obviously, there is the possibility of observing the arrival and departure of ships.

Base Navale de Brest, which was built in 1631 by order of Cardinal Richelieu, is today one of the most visited attractions. This is for a definite reason – the place is really fascinating, especially with the fact that it has a high historical value. Going a little further, you can come across Base Sous-Marine Brest, the construction of which began in 1941, marking the era of submarines. The bases played an important role during World War II. Lovers of marine subjects will definitely appreciate the Musée National de la Marine, where exhibits showing that the capital of Brittany is a major seaport are collected. You will find here things like models of ships, equipment, as well as sculptures and paintings related to the maritime theme.

It is worth taking a walk along Rue Saint-Malo; a place where antiquity and modernity meet. It is amazingly beautiful here, and it is worth mentioning that this is one of the few streets that miraculously escaped being bombed during the Second World War. Square Mathon is another fascinating place to take a walk. The street lined with greenery, flowering plants, and astonishing scents – all this awaits those who decide to take a stroll here. The main shopping street, Rue de Siam, is likewise worth a walk. This street has its own unique environment. It bears such a name because, in the year 1686, three ambassadors from Siam arrived here to meet with Louis XIV.

There are a lot of interesting sculptures in Brest which are definitely worth seeing while in the city. These are monuments such as the Fanny de Laninon et Jean Quéméneur (located on Place Henri Ansquer), L'Arbre Empathique (can be found at Boulevard des Francais Libres). Among other attractions that travelers will love, it is worth noting Brest Arena. The stadium is impressive in its size. In addition, interesting games are often held here. It is therefore worthwhile to follow the announcement of upcoming events, so as not to miss them. You should also note that there two churches here worthy of attendance – Église Saint-Louis de Brest and Eglise Saint Martin.