Sailing in Brest harbour

Discover the Recouvrance

A symbol of Brest, the Recouvrance is a real eye-catcher in the harbour, with its magnificent sails and allure. Its name has given birth to the most famous district of the city of Brest. This 41-metre-long schooner is actually a replica of the military sailing ship known as the Iris, built in 1817. It was used to facilitate communications between ships and the Navy. La Recouvrance bears witness to the tradition of its maritime vocation. It was built by naval architect Jean Baptiste Hubert and launched at the 1992 Fêtes Maritimes. She takes part in various boat shows.

Penn Ar bed

The Penn Ar bed shipping company takes you right to the heart of the Iroise Marine Park. Its trips take in the three islands of Molène, Ouessant and Sein. From the commercial port of Brest, you can sail around the harbour as far as the Narrows and then Pointe Saint-Mathieu, before calling at the port of Conquet and then the Molène archipelago. In summer (July-August), you can reach the Ile de Sein via the Pointe du Raz and the Vieille lighthouse.

Le Brestoâ

This company organises guided tours of Brest harbour, from the military port to the commercial port. This tour lasts around 1h30-2h30. Another tour starts at the Crozon peninsula and continues to Camaret via the Tas de Pois and the Aulne (average duration 3h30). The company also offers gourmet cruises where you can dine on site.

Sports and water activities (kayaking, canoeing, etc.)

A number of organisations specialise in water sports, including Brest Bretagne Nautisme. This club offers kayaking, stand-up paddling, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. It is open to all (children, adults, groups, disabled people, individuals, etc.).More information

Underwater: a marine treasure

This vast shallow bay, no more than 10 metres deep, nevertheless offers a magnificent natural environment. You can admire sandy and rocky foreshores, mudflats and eelgrass beds... The bay has been granted the status of marine protected area and was designated a Natura 2000 site in 2004 by the European Commission for the preservation of natural habitats and wild birds.

A fishing spot

The Bay of Brest is home to a diverse underwater fauna, particularly in the Aulne and Elorn estuaries. Sea urchins are fished here from October to April, but shellfish and crustaceans can also be caught on foot all year round. Enthusiastic anglers offer boat trips from the edge of Brest harbour to catch mackerel, sole, sea bass and bream.

Brest Atlantiques is a long trimaran race in November, starting and finishing in Brest. This non-stop crewed transatlantic race lasts 25 days.

Evenement Nautiques Brest brings together no fewer than 80 maritime events held in Brest harbour throughout the year. Whatever the season, there's always a competition to follow, whether it's a round-the-world race or a crossing.

The Brest International Maritime Festival takes place every four years (next edition in 2024 in mid-July) for six days. This event brings together more than 1,000 boats from all over the world, 9,000 sailors from some forty countries and 1,500 musicians.

The Saint-Jean chapel, with its feet in the water, is located in the commune of Plougastel and is waiting to tell you all about its legends. There is also the chapel of Saint-Langui, built in 1603. Also in Plougastel, you can visit the chapelle de la fontaine blanche, the chapelle Saint-Claude, the chapelle Sainte-Christine and the chapelle Saint-Tremeur.

The Calvary of Plougastel is unique and one of the seven great Calvaries of Brittany. It was built in 1604, survived the war and was later rebuilt exactly as it is today. Its 28 paintings depicting biblical scenes from the life of Christ are fascinating.

The Impératrice rock has a footpath offering a beautiful view of the harbour. It is also said that Napoleon III's wife lost her ring here... perhaps you'll find it along the footpath. For the more experienced, you can climb the 35-metre-high rock.