Brest and the Iroise Sea
The Brest Approaches is a beautiful natural harbour with a wealth of places to explore alone, with a partner, friends or family. Welcome to the number 1 yacht marina in Brittany !
Exploring Brest
Listen to the clanking halyards and squawking seagulls ! Smell the fresh sea air ! The sea and water sports will play a big part in your holiday in Finistère.
The Brest Approaches is a giant water sports arena of 150km² with ideal wind conditions. Activities include a day trip aboard an old sailing vessel (La Recouvrance) or a state-of-the-art yacht, dinghy sailing, stand up paddleboarding, kite-surfing, sea wading at plage du Moulin Blanc beach and surfing at Petit Minou. It’s THE place for water sports enthusiasts and for lovers of spider crab, brown crab, sea bass and cuttlefish, it’s a paradise for fishermen too !
Concerts and festivals, the Musée de la Marine, Océanopolis aquarium and the National Botanical Conservatory, there’s plenty to do in Brest, not forgetting the amazing urban cable car up to Les Capucins. As for the reputation Brest has for its bars… enough said !
From the Mer d'Iroise Sea to Plougastel Strawberries
The Brest Approaches is linked to the Mer d'Iroise by a 1.8km wide channel called the Goulet de Brest, leading to several peninsulas : Logonna peninsula, Landévennec, Ile Longue, Roscanvel and some beautiful headlands : the Pointe du Portzic, Pointe de l'Armorique, Pointe du Bindy, Pointe de Poulmic and Pointe des Espagnols.
To the south of the Approaches the Plougastel Peninsula and its rugged coastline dotted with tiny harbours gives its name to the famous « Plougastel Strawberries» (Protected Geographical Indication).
In Landerneau on the banks of the Élorn, admire the 16th century Pont de Rohan, one of the last bridges in Europe with houses on it, and the nearby naval ship graveyard at Landévennec.
The area is the gateway to the ‘Parc naturel régional d’Armorique’ Natural Park, a wonderful place for walks and hikes along the coast and through the countryside.
Beach fan or walking enthusiast ?
Fancy a trip to the beach ? Go to Moulin Blanc, a stone’s throw from the harbour of the same name, or leave the city and head for Locmaria Plouzané and the beaches of Trégana, Posmilin and Portez which have been delighting children and grown-ups for generations !
A surfer at heart ? Treat yourself to a session at Petit Minou, Plouzané, a surf spot popular with locals. The sandy cove set in the rocks is right opposite the Crozon Peninsula. The waves are powerful with deep troughs (especially at low tide). There are many other surf spots along the coast as well as surf schools to help you get started !
Walking enthusiasts are certainly not forgotten with many kilometres of coastal footpaths through wonderful scenery with panoramic views. Don’t hesitate to cross the Pont de l’Iroise Bridge to the pebbled shores of the Plougastel-Daoulas peninsula and don’t miss the Pointe de Kerdeniel with its stunning views of the Goulet de Brest, the Crozon peninsula and the Faou Estuary.
…and let’s not forget delicious local specialities !
A great choice of savoury buckwheat galettes, sweet crêpes and Breton far washed down with cider.
« What I love most about the Brest Approaches is the light, especially in the evening, a special experience to share with family or friends. Then going to have a drink at a sailors’ watering hole in Brest »
You can get here by plane, train, car or … by boat, of course !
Ken emberr !"
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