Brest, in Finistère, is the great port of western Brittany, set at the head of a vast natural harbour that opens onto the Atlantic. Rebuilt after the Second World War, the city faces the sea: Brest Castle, one of the oldest military structures in France still in use, the Recouvrance bridge, the restored Capucins workshops and the cable car over the Penfeld.
Brest is also home to Océanopolis, a major science centre devoted to the ocean, and to the large maritime gatherings that bring sailing ships from around the world. Cafés, seafood restaurants and brasseries enliven the Recouvrance district and the marina.
Brest is a natural starting point for exploring the tip of Finistère: Ushant and Molène, the Crozon peninsula, the abers and Le Conquet. With its rail, road and air links, it is a practical gateway to Atlantic Brittany.