Entertainment In Brest

Brest is one of the best places in the world to experience authentic Breton culture. The town has a decent selection of bars and cafs which represent the unique and colourful Breton lifestyle and lots of friendly locals to go with them. Theres not exactly a raging nightclub scene here, but if you do want to go out dancing, there are several choices.

Most locals in Brest seem to take it easy and opt for a fun night out at the pub. There are two major cinema complexes if you feel like taking in a movie and the Plouescat Casino is just 45 minutes away by car should you feel like gambling. The casino has all the usual gaming tables and slot machines.

Nature at its finest

The windswept moors which surround Brest are ideally suited to horseback riding, mountain biking and fishing. There are a number of outdoor guide services in town who can arrange these excursions for you. Golfers will enjoy the 18-hole course at Golf de Brest Iroisem, which has an excellent course rolling over the smooth Breton landscape. Another wonderful excursion is to travel along the canal, which runs from Brest all the way to Nantes. A boat ride offers a unique way to see the region. Alongside the canal is a smooth, well-developed path which is ideal for walking, cycling or horseback riding.

Eating out

Between the port area and the restored downtown district, visitors to Brest will find more than enough choices when it comes to eating out. As with most of Brittany, seafood dominates the menu and should certainly be a big part of every visitors dining experience. Apart from traditional cafs and restaurants, Brest is full of creperies, which are a regional specialty and the thin pancakes you will find here can satisfy you as a full meal or simply a quick snack.

Local cuisine

Breton cuisine is dominated by fish and shellfish, and the local dishes are some of the best in the world. Fresh lobster with cream sauce is one of the local specialties as well as cotriade, a distinctive fish soup with potato, onion and garlic. If you tire of seafood, you can enjoy smoked ham or lamb served with green kidney beans. The lamb, which comes from the small island of Ouessant, off the coast of Brest, is famous for being fed on sea-salted grass. Ragout de mouton shows off this distinctive lamb dish best.

Brittany is also famous for its crepes, which are served with sweet fillings; or the heartier version called galettes, which are buckwheat crepes stuffed with meat, fish or lobster and served as a main course. Crepes make for an inexpensive meal and a delicious snack and should not be missed.

Theatre and music

Several of the pubs around town showcase live music on certain nights. Try and catch some local Breton music if you can. It has a unique and lively sound. If its cabaret you are after, you can head to the Vauban Cabaret for one of their nightly shows. The cultural centre of the town is Le Quartz, the national theatre of Brest. This popular venue hosts over 80 shows a year, ranging from drama and dance performances to live musical concerts (tel: +33 02 98 33 95 00).

Shopping

Brest is not renowned for its shopping facilities. Local Breton clothing and crafts can be found in some shops in the city centre. Of course, there are also the usual shopping malls which sell everyday sundries, clothes and souvenirs.