The city of
Brest is located in the Finistere department in the northwest region of France.
Brest is a major commercial port with the primary manufacturing products being metals, paper, and clothing, and the city is the seat of the French Naval Academy. The city is also known for its national engineering school and is home to the Oceanographic Center of
Brittany.
Brest was established as a military base in 1631 and dates back to the Gallo-Roman times. It is situated on an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean and has a population of over 150,000 inhabitants.
The city of
Brest is known for its spectacular views of the coastline mainly due to the city being situated on an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a centre for culture, ancient towns, and interesting history. Some of the primary tourist attractions include the Oceanopolis which is one of the largest aquariums in Europe, the Musee de Beaux-Arts which contains a distinctive French art collection, Tour de la Matte Tanguy which is an exhibit depicting the extensive war history of
Brest and the
Brest Boat Festival which attracts over one million visitors each year with over 200,000 ships that enter the harbor for the festival.
Brest also has a rich Celtic history and traditions that attract tourists to the gorgeous countryside that is filled with medieval towns, ancient forests, and many fishing destinations along the picturesque coastline.
Due to its location on an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean the economy of
Brest is centered around shipping and is a primary port for import shipping from the United States.
Brest also has a large exporting industry that includes products such as food, furniture, gas stoves, machines, and paint for road marking. Within the Free Economic Zone, there are over 45 resident companies and approximately 50 companies with foreign capital that employ over 100,000 workers.
The economy of
Brest is largely based on the Free Economic Zone which plays an important role in the economic structure. The industrial complex is represented by more than 400 industrial enterprises and the region is rich in natural resources such as granite and aggregate.
