We just found out that my 17 yr old daughter will be going to Brest, France, in Brittany, for 7 weeks this summer. There go the funds for MY trip, but I can travel vicariously. She'll be in classes by day, and stay w/ a host family. There will be day trips and a short stay in Paris. Any info or suggestions, both for the area and for teen going it alone would be appreciated.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Since nobody's offered any other suggestions, here's my two cents:
Brest was pretty well beat to heck during WW II becauses of its submarine pens, so not much remains of the old stuff.
About a half hour east is my favorite small town in Brittany -- Morlaix. Google it and you'll see why.
It would be an absolute crime to be anywhere near Carnac and not see the alingments. They make Stonehenge look like a third-rate pile of rocks.
From a guy who had two daughters wandering around France (not at the same time, thank goodness) two tips: 1--keep her supplied with money 2--have her make all reports about anything to you and not to her father; you filter what he finds out.
Posted by
Auburn, Washington, USA
515 posts
Brest is best-known for its Pont de Recouvrance (a massive drawbridge 64 m/210 ft high), the military arsenal and the rue de Siam (Siam Street). The Castle and the Tour Tanguy are the oldest monuments of Brest.
The Musée de la Tour Tanguy houses a collection of dioramas that depict the city of Brest on the eve of World War II. The Musée de la Marine de Brest, housed in the ancient castle, contains exhibits which outline Brest's maritime tradition, as well as an aquarium, the Océanopolis marine centre. The city also has a notable botanical garden specializing in endangered species, the Conservatoire botanique national de Brest, as well as the Jardin botanique de l'Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Clermont-Tonnerre.
The city of Brest does not have much remaining historical architecture, apart from a few select monuments such as the Castle and the Tour Tanguy. This is due to heavy bombing by the Allies during World War II, in an attempt to destroy the submarine base the Germans had built in the harbour. In the 1950s, the town was hastily rebuilt using a large amount of concrete. In Recouvrance, the left bank of the town, there remains an authentic street of the 17th century, Saint-Malo Street.
A few kilometres out of town, there are more impressive landscapes, from sandy beaches to grottos to tall granite cliffs. Sunbathing, windsurfing, yachting and fishing are enjoyed in the area. Brest was an important warship-producing port during the Napoleonic wars. The naval port, which is in great part excavated in the rock, extends along both banks of the Penfeld.
Posted by
OP
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
Ed, thank you for the personal insight. Morlaix looks lovely. And Carnac, how cool. While Brest seems almost too-un-touristy (huh?) I think that may be a good thing. She won't be so distracted by the tourist track.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Brendon,
That's a very nice description of Brest.
Unfortunately it is lifted directly from Wilkipedia.
Specifically from right here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brest,_France
Anybody can google.
Karen probably wanted something based on personal experience or insight.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
A woman named Eli who posts on this board has relatives in Brest. She visited them this past December. If you go to her thread here, you'll be able to send her a PM asking her about Brest.