Worth a look! 6 places to see in Brest
When you're staying in the City of the Pontius, you'll naturally head for the major sites to see in Brest...
But take the time to also discover these few nuggets that are well worth the detour!
The Lions building, a historic site in Brest
From the Cesaria Evora belvedere in the Ateliers des Capucinsyou'll catch a glimpse of this astonishing 9-arched building, adorned with golden lions' heads. Built in the early 19th century, it's one of Brest's must-sees. It is one of the few buildings to have remained intact after the bombardments that rocked the Cité du Ponant during the Second World War. Acting as a barrier between the arsenal and the rest of the city, it served primarily as a storehouse for naval maintenance and repair materials. Finally, it was the first workers' bistro, then the arsenal canteen, where it is said that the food was extremely poor!
The Maison Crosnier on Cours Dajot
The Cours Dajot is one of Brest's must-see strolls, with its view of the commercial port and the Château. On this promenade is the Maison Crosnier, named after its architect, Sylvain Crosnier. Built around 1900, this private residence boasts a panoramic view of the harbor and, above all, a wealth of Art Nouveau architecture. You can admire it from the outside.
What to see in Brest: the American Monument
Still on the Cours Dajot, a tall pink tower dominates the commercial port. Erected in the 1930s in memory of the American navy's actions in Europe during the First World War, the American Monument was destroyed during the bombardments, then rebuilt identically in 1958. Since 2015, it has been listed as a Historic Monument. Take the time to take a close look and spot the bas-reliefs with maritime motifs, created by American sculptor John Storrs.
The Lamaneur fresco, a must-see in Brest's commercial port
Among Brest's major works, the Lamaneur fresco is one of the city's not-to-be-missed landmarks.
Take a stroll along the harbour, after a drink on the terrace a drink on the terrace overlooking the seastop for a few minutes to admire this work by Paul Bloas, created for the Fêtes Maritimes in 2004.
According to the artist, it represents "the welcome from land to sea", a strong symbol of the city's maritime history.
The Maison de la Fontaine, a vestige of old Brest
In the Recouvrance district, a few steps from the Tour Tanguythe Maison de la Fontaine is one of the town's oldest buildings, with its black kersantite, yellow Logonna stone and pink granite, not forgetting the Lunven fountain in the gable, from which it takes its name. Although the date of its construction
is not precise, we do know that the house belonged to the Recouvrance hospital until 1825.
Purchased by the city of Brest in 1980, then restored, it has been a venue for exhibitions and artistic gatherings for over 30 years.
Opposite the Maison de la Fontaine, the Garden of Explorers
Just a few steps away, the Jardin des Explorateurs, located on the former Batterie du Cavalier, offers a lovely view of Brest harbourthe Château and the military port. Witness to the many maritime expeditions from the Cité du Ponant, it houses a collection of plants brought back from all over the world by four explorers: Louis Antoine de Bougainville, Philibert Commerson, Etienne Raoul and Jacques Julien Houton de la Billardière. Educational panels evoke the voyage, the plants discovered and the transport and preservation of seeds on the ships.