5 great picnic spots in Brest
With the return of fine weather, we're all keen to spend as much time as possible outdoors. What could be better than sitting on the grass for lunch, enjoying a lovely view of Brest and its harbour?
Get your snacks ready: here's our selection of 5 picnic spots in Brest.
The Academy Garden
No need to take the car or even leave the city center: the Jardin de l'Académie is one of Brest's parks and gardens where you can sit back and enjoy a picnic in the shade of the pine trees.
From this pretty green spot, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the harbor, the military port and the commercial port.
It's the ideal place to take a short break before or after a visit to the National Maritime Museum, which is right next door. Make sure you have something to sit on, as the garden has no picnic tables.
Le Vallon du Stang Alar
It's hard to believe you're just a few minutes from the city center! The Vallon du Stang Alar is often referred to as Brest's "green lung".
Covering some forty hectares between Brest and Guipavas, not far from Moulin Blanc, this huge park offers several walking trails, lakes, children's play areas and picnic tables throughout.
It's the ideal place for a green break in the middle of a city break. It's also home to the Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest, which we highly recommend you visit!
Le Bois de Keroual
Head for Guilers, north of Brest, for a picnic and bucolic break in this 50-hectare wood.
There are not only shady areas to settle down in, but also theme trails, orienteering courses and playgrounds, as well as the 17th-century Manoir de Keroual, owned by the city of Brest.
The originality of this park lies in the free-access barbecues! Beware, though, that they can be victims of their own success: so plan a plan B, such as lunch at the Blé Noir crêperie, housed in the former 18th-century flour mill. An exceptional place!
The Four Pumps and White House
These two sites in Brest's Saint-Pierre district are perfect for a rejuvenating break between visits. On the green side, the Quatre Pompes green space is equipped with picnic tables.
But if you'd rather have lunch with your feet in the water and a view of the Brest Narrows, why not sit on the pebbles of Maison Blanche, in front of its pretty, colorful fishermen's huts. Are you torn between the two?
Start your picnic on the grass and end it on the beach: the two locations are just a few metres apart along the corniche path.
Sables rouges beach
This small cove near the Iroise bridge offers a breathtaking view of the Brest harbor. Between the blue of the sea and the green of the vegetation, you'll enjoy a moment of relaxation at the water's edge, and can even dip your feet in.
From the parking lot, it's a short walk to the cove. Along the way, you'll find sculptures by Gérard Le Hir, carved out of the wood, as well as benches and deckchairs where you can relax and admire the view.
