Brest, France
Perched on the edge of Brittany
Jutting out into the Atlantic, Brest is France’s western-most city (in fact, about as far west as Cornwall and with much in common). Steeped in maritime history, it’s no surprise that visitors flock here for fabulous seafood and beautifully light crepes, all washed down with a jug or three of local Breton cider. Sante!
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Destination overview
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| Language: | French | |
| Currency: | Euro | |
| Time zone: | GMT +1 hour (GMT +2 hours in summer) | |
| Flight Time: | 1 hour 30 | |
| Holiday type: | Beach | |
| Weather: | Average maximum temperature: 10.7°C (24-hour average) Rainfall: 1128mm a year |
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Must See:
Take a short stroll downhill from the castle and marvel at the mighty Recouvrance Bridge, a truly massive drawbridge some 64 metres (210 feet) high.
Must eat at:
Family-friendly Nouveau Rossini is a traditional century-old Breton house with its very own cellar for adventures in wine. Upstairs the take is nautical but nice, with fish and shellfish high on the agenda.
Must be there for:
Hit the dancefloor at Astropolis in August – Brest’s biggest and best dance event draws big name DJs and clubbers from across France and beyond to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the rave scene.
Well-travelled tips:
The local flea market is the perfect place for a bargain. The so-called Puces de Brest is held near the covered market on the second Saturday of every month.
For a flavour of how Brest would have looked in the 17th Century, head to the Left Bank and take a stroll down the perfectly preserved St Malo street.
