Brest – Chateau de Brest

Built: 3rd century
Status: Public-Museum (Navy)
Visitable?: Yes
Notable: One of France’s biggest fortress, still in use by the Navy and now also a big museum
Web: National Museum of the Navy

The Brest Castle/Fortress, one of the largest fortifications in France, remains in excellent condition despite being built by the Romans in the 3rd century. Its remarkable state can be attributed to its continued use as a crucial location for the French Navy, as well as its function as home to the significant National Museum of the Navy.

Right opposite of the fortress/castle you will see the Navy docks where big warships often can be seen.

The fortress is surrounded by water on one side and a moat with flat land on the other (now used mostly for car parks).

The Castle/Fortress

The entry to the Brest Castle/Fortress is impressive, two towers and a drawbridge:

You will need to go to the side door to enter the castle (and pay your entrance fee).

After paying access you can walk through the fortress more or less at free will, apart from the French Navy Prefecture part.

Since this is military, you are not allowed to make any photos of the installations… honest, really.

Part of the walk is through the museum, but on the outside, you can admire this fortress; enormous size, sturdy construction and not easy to defeat.

The castle has seen many wars and attacks over the centuries. The English have been masters of the fortress several times, and the French had many battles with the Bretons (before Brittany became part of France). And let’s not forget the Spanish.

Many famous French royalties and nobilatoes have made the castle their home or base, including Anne of Brittany (Queen of France). The famous Cardinal Richelieu (from the 3 Musketeers novels) was one of the biggest influencers of the building of this fortress, as was Vauban (who built many of France’s castles).

The fortress is enormous, one of France’s biggest. Some parts are very wide, (you can then see how thick the walls are), while other parts are wide enough for one skinny person.

The views from the fortress walls can be quite interesting. River and harbour on one side, land of the other, but since you are perched quite high, you have a good view of the city.

Tour Tanguy

There is one view which is particularly interesting:

It’s the tower called “Tour Tanguy“. No one knows when it was built, nor who built it. Historians think it were the English who built in the 14th century. Historians don’t know either why it was built where it is.

Today, the tower houses the Museum of Old Brest.

Inside the Castle

When you are looking at the museum, you will be required to move through the castle. This is a great way of discovering the enormous fortress.

I don’t think the castle is adapted to people who have problems walking (wheelchairs in particular).

The Museum

The French Navy National Museum is one of 5 such museums in France, owned by the French Navy.

The museum offers guided tours (English and French), and even nighttime visits during the summer (but you will need to reserve in advance).

Exhibits are not only inside, when you walk discovering the castle, you will see other items outside.

This is a German WWII midget-submarine. It could hold two crew.

The museum has many small scale models on display, from centuries ago to very recent Navy ships.

Obviously there is much, much more to see, from old wooden statues, to equipment onboard of the French Navy ships.

Conclusion

Visiting the Brest Castle/Fortress and subsequent French Navy National Museum should be on the top of your list when visiting the area. You’ll be able to spend several hours, no matter what age you are.

Click here to access the museum’s website for more information. (in French only, translations do NOT work)

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