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Postcards: Brest (FR)

A looong overdue post, and I hope our friends who hosted us didn’t think I had not enjoyed my trip to Brest, given the lack of related blog entries like it should. I am not entirely sure why I procrastinated; the photos were processed reasonably promptly after our return and we did have a lovely weekend despite the soaking we’d got – it was November and in Brittany afterall.

Brest

Brest

For some reason, I’ve always thought of Brest as being “north” when it is justifiably “west”. In fact, it lies at a latitude southern to that of Paris, a fact I didn’t think was true until I consulted a map properly. The city is an important military port and was pretty much destroyed during the World War II. The city was quickly rebuilt but the buildings very much utilitarian in nature. Sadly, this also means there isn’t a lot of typical Breton charm to be found here.

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Brest

Main categories of sights spotted – seen through a huddled self against the rain (which meant camera stayed hidden in my bag) and the wind – included military structures (e.g. naval base, fortifications, towers and castles), war memorials, port-based commercial activities and street arts. There is also a nice and lovely promenade along the fortified wall just above the port area, running between the castle and the train station.

Despite not being one of the prettiest French cities I’ve visited, Brest does make a good strategic base for exploring other parts of northern Brittany. Stay tuned!



Category: Europe, France, Travel

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