Calling at the Moulin Blanc marina and wondering what to do in Brest ?

We suggest you discover the city with two must-see places for an escape between land and sea...

Don't hesitate to go to the harbour office for further informations to make your experience even more enjoyable !

Océanopolis

Océanopolis is a national cultural centre dedicated to the ocean, open all year round.

You can discover more than 1000 aquatic species in three area : Brittany, tropical and polar. These three centres bring together a total of around fifty aquariums !

You can also take advantage of the on-site restaurants (hot dishes, sandwiches, salads, desserts…) for your lunch break.

Pratical information :

• Depending on the season, open from 9.30 am to 7 pm, from 9.30 am to 6 pm or from 10 am to 5 pm.
• The site is closed in January.

Prices :

• Adult : €22,90
• Young people (14/17 years old) : €18,50
• Student : €18,50
• Children (3/13 years old) : €14,60

Reduced rates for people with disabilities :

• Adult : €14,10
• Young people (14/17 years old) : €9,30
• Children (3/13 years old) : €9,30

Find all the informations you need on the website of Océanopolis.

Moulin Blanc harbour

If you haven't set your sight on Océanopolis for your lunch break, there are plenty of restaurants in the Moulin Blanc harbour, located right next to Océanopolis by the Moulin Blanc Marina

You can also enjoy the view over Brest harbour during your lunch, and then walk along the harbour towards the Stang-Alar valley.

Brest National Botanical Conservatory

After lunch, enjoy a digestive walk at the Brest National Botanical Conservatory !

Take a trip around the world in the Stang Alar valley as you wander through the conservatory's garden !

You'll discover some 1800 species, and sometimes of the year you can visit the tropical greenhouses, where you'll find a concentration of vegetation unique in France !

Pratical information :

• Garden is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, depending on the season
• Greenhouses are open from 20 April to 5 May, from 1st July to 31 August and from 19 October from 3 November

Self-guided tour of the tropical greehouses is available every day from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Prices :

Greenhouses

• Self-guided tour : €6 or €4 for people aged 8 to 18 years old and concessions (free for children under 8)
• Guided tour (Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.): €8 or €5 for reduced rates (free for children under 8)

Garden

• The garden is free on self-guided tour
• Guided tour (Thursday at 14:30 p.m.) : €8 or €5 for reduced rates

Find all the informations you need on the website of the conservatory.

After a great day's sightseeing, on the way back to the Moulin Blanc Marina, you can stop off for a drink in one of the harbour pubs, and why not stay for dinner...

Calling at Marina du Château? Take a look at the day trip we've prepared for you !

We hope you enjoy your visit !

If you're lucky enough to be calling at at the tip of Brittany, be sure to visit the city of Brest, which will surprise you with art, culture and history to suit all tastes and ages. From the most famous to the most discreet, discover our selection of the must-see places in Brest.

Places to see in Brest city centre

Brest city centre can be reached on foot from the Marina du Château, or by bus from the Moulin Blanc harbour.

This makes it easy for yachtsmen calling at Brest to discover the heart of the city.

Brest Castle and the Marine Museum

Located just a few minutes' walk from the marina du Château, Brest Castle has survived 17 centuries and is a privileged witness to the city's history. It is the oldest monument in Brest.

The castle now houses the Marine Museum , which traces the history of the French navy and the Brest arsenal through 15 permanent and temporary exhibition rooms.

Ship models, navigation instruments, furniture and work of arts: the exhibits bear witness to the great maritime adventures.

Don't miss the room dedicated to the La Pérouse expedition, or the impressive room devoted to figureheads.

You can find all the information you need to make your visit a success on the Marine Museum website.

La Pam: an atypical place in a former printing company

La Pam is a third-party space located at 56 rue d'Aiguillon, near rue de Siam. It's a coworking space, a meeting place and a conference venue. But it's much more than that: it's a solidarity bookshop, a designer shop, an artists' studio, and more.

And there's good news for food lovers, too, because the print shop includes:

• a small grocery shop
• an organic bakery
• three restaurants serving fresh local produce

But La Pam also remains true to its origins. Until 2018, it was a printing company, very well known to the people of Brest, which existed for just over 100 years. You'll find a space dedicated to the heritage of printing, with a fine collection of lithographic pieces.

For more information, visit La Pam website.

Rue de Siam

Rue de Siam is the heart of Brest city centre. It stretches from Place de la Liberté to Pont de Recouvrance. Here you'll find shops, restaurants and bars. The latter are mainly located at the bottom of the rue de Siam.

A stroll through the city centre will also give you the chance to discover Marta Pan's black granite fountains, the gateway to the Guépin barracks and the empathic tree in front of the Recouvrance bridge. From here, you can take the cable car to the Ateliers des Capucins, or take the bridge to visit the Tanguy Tower.

Must-see places in Brest, right bank

If you go across to the other side of the Penfeld, you'll discover some places in Brest that are well worth a visit. The little extra? They're free to visit and great fun for the whole family.

Les ateliers des Capucins

Don't miss Europe's largest covered public square in an unusual location.

The Capucins workshops were originally a convent. It was first converted into a hospital in the mid-18th century following an epidemic. In 1791, ownership of the building was transferred to the Navy, which converted it into barracks 10 years later. The convent was then demolished to make way for large workshops for the Navy. They remained in use until very recently.

In 2009, the Navy handed over the workshops to the city of Brest, which decided to turn them into a public space, playing a key role in the cultural and sporting life of Brest.

The Capucins workshops are home to :

• 70.8, a museum for the ocean
• The Emperor's canoe
• A media library
• A cinema
• A climbing gym
• Shops and restaurants
• The Place des Machines, where you can rollerblade, skate or simply walk from machine to machine, witness to the activity of the Brest arsenal.

Rue de Saint-Malo

Located below the Plateau des Capucins in the Recouvrance district, Rue de Saint-Malo is one of the few remaining traces of Brest's old town.

The cobbled street runs alongside traditional 17th-century Breton houses and a 19th-century wash-house. The Cour de la Madeleine, meanwhile, was home to the Refuge Royal, where the woman known as La Belle Tamisier passed through its walls.

Today, the Vivre La Rue association offers cultural and musical events not to be missed.

Tanguy Tower

Next to the Recouvrance bridge, on the right bank opposite Brest castle, stands the proud Tanguy tower. Built in the 14th century, over the course of its history it has been occupied by the English, destroyed, rebuilt and renovated.

It is now home to a museum of the old town, with magnificent dioramas by Jim-E. Sévellec and a beautiful scenography for an immersive visit.

A special bonus: the 360° view of Brest from the top floor of the tower.

Must-see places in Brest: Marina du Moulin Blanc side

If you are calling at the Marina du Moulin Blanc, you'll have the chance to choose between two completely different locations.

Stang-Alar Valley

Near the Marina du Moulin Blanc is the Stang-Alar valley, a large nature reserve of around 40 hectares where you can enjoy a walk along the river that marks the border between the towns of Brest and Guipavas.

The site is home to the garden of the Brest National Botanical Conservatory, whose main mission is to preserve endangered wild plant species. With an impressive diversity of nearly 2,500 species, get ready for a real tour of the plant world!

Océanopolis

A must-see in Brest: Océanopolis. Just a few minutes' walk from the visitors' pontoon, this major scientific culture centre dedicated to the ocean welcomes you all year round to the delight of young and old alike.

You'll discover three sections (Brittany, Tropical and Polar) with around fifty aquariums, including the shark tank, the seal tank and the minilab.

Allow at least three hours for your visit, and to avoid queuing at the entrance to the park, you can buy your tickets online.

Your visit to Brest's must-see locations is sure to be an exciting one, with activities to suit all ages. See you soon in Brest!

During a walk in the city center of Brest, you can admire many unusual monuments. The street of Siam itself is a nice demonstration. This completely pedestrian street will allow you to stroll between the numerous stores or to sit by one of the many fountains.

The fountains of Marta Pan

The fountains show the will of the municipality to embellish the city of Brest. Fountains made of black granite from South Africa are a good way to refresh oneself during good weather.

Door of the old Guépin barracks

As you continue your walk you may come across the door of the old barracks of Brest. This emblematic element of the Brest panorama represents the old city and a part of its history.

Commemorative stele

Located at the entrance to a large square that is pleasant for relaxing or playing with children, this stele commemorates the 29th american infantry division.

The Bazeilles Square

This pretty square will allow you to admire a panorama on the arsenal of Brest, nice new infrastructures will allow your children to play, and remains of the old Fautras barracks will let you imagine the old Brest.

The empathetic tree

Modern réalisation of the Brest infrastructure, this tree strewn with plants wants to bring back the nature in the city center.

Monument to the dead

A monument to the fallen that leads the way to place de la Liberté.

place de la Liberté

Updated to make it more accessible and warm, this place (which name literally means "Freedom square") will welcome you with pleasure to rest in a green space, or to have a meal in one of the restaurants around.

Kennedy garden

If you like skateboarding or just walking, this garden is perfect for you. With the inauguration of a brand new skate park this garden knows how to be updated and revitalise.

Maison de la Fontaine (Fountain House)

Come and discover one of the rare vestiges of the old Brest where exhibitions, meetings with artists and artistic residences are organized.

Cable car

Ideal if you want to cross the riverbank quickly, this cable car joins the two banks and will drop you off in the heart of the Capucins. Enjoy the breathtaking view during your trip.

Ateliers des Capucins

Located in a former military workshop that has been completely renovated, this building has kept the charm of the past with the machines still visible and large relaxation areas. Several small shops have been set up here, as well as a library, a café-restaurant and more recently a cinema. Its belvedere offers a breathtaking view of the Penfeld.

It is one of the must-see places in Brest.

Bridge of recouvrance

Overlooking the arsenal and the military port, it connects the bottom of the rue de Siam to the Recouvrance district. It also offers a beautiful view of the Brest arsenal.

Tanguy tower

Built in the 14th century on the banks of the Penfeld, the Tanguy Tower proudly faces the castle of Brest. Today, it houses dioramas by Brest artist Jim Sévellec, which will allow you to discover the great moments of the history of the city, and the daily life of its inhabitants.

Garden of explorers

Ideal for a short walk, this garden will allow you to stretch your legs while enjoying an exceptional view of the Penfeld and the harbor of Brest.

Saint-Malo street

Located below the plateau des Capucins in the Recouvrance district, the Saint-Malo street is the only trace of the old Brest.

The paved street runs alongside old traditional Breton houses dating from the 17th century, and a 19th century wash house. As for the Madeleine courtyard, it was home to the Refuge Royal which saw the so-called Belle Tamisier pass through its walls.

Today, the association Vivre La Rue offers cultural and musical events not to be missed.

Sadi Carnot shelter

The Sadi Carnot shelter is a place of memory of the Second World War, during which it was the main underground shelter.

Unfortunately, on the night of September 9th 1944, several hundred people from Brest were killed in an explosion. Today, the Sadi Carnot shelter is an exhibition space that will not leave you indifferent.

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