FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Brest

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Brest each year. The main ones are listed below.

Celebrate the new year with a Fest-noz, a traditional Breton dance! By the ocean, the city of Brest offers many festive activities on New Year's Eve, often dedicated to Breton food and culture.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Breton folk songs, harps and violins, but also folk dances, drinking songs and sea shanties invade the city's public spaces. On daylight saving day, Brest celebrates the spirit of music and puts local folklore in the spotlight!

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Brest, the 14^th of July, with festive activities and fireworks, is always a high point during the International Maritime Festival. At night, Brest harbour shines with thousands of lights, creating a beautiful backdrop for the sailboats.

To celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, several “Grands Pardons” (atonements) take place in parishes all around Finistère. In Porcaro, Morbihan, more than 10,000 bikers gather to celebrate the “Madonna” with their blessing.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Brest

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	4	9	144	Not the best period to go
February	4	9	112	Not the best period to go
March	5	11	96	Not the best period to go
April	6	13	92	Not the best period to go
May	9	16	79	Good period to go
June	11	19	60	Good period to go
July	13	21	67	Good period to go
August	13	21	67	Good period to go
September	12	19	84	Good period to go
October	10	16	129	Good period to go
November	7	12	134	Not the best period to go
December	5	10	148	Not the best period to go

BREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Brest-Bretagne airport is located 10 kilometres north-east of the city of Brest.

• One terminal for domestic and international flights

• By car
  • Directions: the airport is close to major roads leading to the north, west and south of Brittany. The E50 dual carriageway will take you downtown Brest in 15 minutes.
  • Parking: 3 parking facilities are available:
    • P1 (covered): capacity of 430, EUR 5 per hour, EUR 18,10 per 24h, EUR 92,40 per week.
    • P2 (nearby): capacity of 1002, first 20 minutes are free, EUR 2 per hour, EUR 15,40 per 24h, EUR 59,50 per week.
    • P3 (economical): capacity of 1314, first hour is free, 6,80 EUR per 24h, 28,50 EUR per week.
  • Rentals: many car rental companies are located in the arrivals hall, just in front of the baggage claim.
• Shuttles
  • A shuttle service connects the airport to the A tramway line, at the Porte de Guipavas station, 7/7 (except on May 1^st). The shuttles operate from 5:35 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. and leave every hour. Tickets (EUR 1.50) can be bought from the driver, or at automatic distributors at the station.
• Taxi
  • Taxis connect the airport to downtown Brest 24/7. They park in front of the main exit. Allow about EUR 30 and 20 minutes for the trip downtown.

• Services:Restaurant, bar, snacks, newspaper stands, bookshop, ready-to-wear shop, tobacconist's and duty-free shops. The airport offers a Wi-Fi network, ATMs, a lost property office, a mailbox and a key deposit. Website: www.brest.aeroport.fr/en
• Téléphone: +33 (0)2 98 32 86 00

GETTING AROUND Brest

The A tramway line connects major places of interest downtown Brest, such as monuments, main streets and shopping malls. Busses take you in and out of the city, to the neighbouring cities. The city's road traffic is fairly fluid and parking lots numerous. Renting a car is therefore the best way to get around.

By car

Getting around the city is fairly easy in Brest. Several large parking lots are available downtown, place de la Liberté, on Dupleix, Malherbe and Yves Collet streets (price ranging from EUR 1 to 1.60 per hour, depending on your location).

Bus/Tramway

The A tramway line crosses the city and connects major touristic places. It is an ideal way to get around the city, every day from 5 a.m. to 0:30 a.m. A network of 17 bus lines connects the city to neighbouring towns like Bohars, Guilers, Plouzané and Plougastel, from 6:00 a.m. to 0:30 a.m. Public transportation prices in Brest (for both bus and tramway) are EUR 1.50 one-way, EUR 4 for a day pass, and EUR 12.50 for a book of 10 tickets.

Taxis

Taxis drive in and around town with a EUR 1.72 /km fare during daytime and EUR 2.58 /km at night, on Sundays and during holidays. Initial charge is EUR 2.10. You may find them at the bus station, in dedicated taxi stations, or hail one on the street.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Brest, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Place de la Liberté
BP 91012
29210 Brest Cedex 1
Telephone: +33 (0)2 98 44 24 96
www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr/en

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. There are several private and public hospitals in Brest, as well as quality general practitioners and medical specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.

Tap water is safe to drink in Brest.

Useful addresses

Foreign embassies and consulates in France

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France
The directory made available online by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in French only) includes addresses and contact details for all foreign embassies and consulates in France: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/annuaires-et-adresses-du-maedi/ambassades-et-consulats-etrangers-en-france

For more information, please visit the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en

Travel requirements for other countries

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of certain foreig countries.

For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required. Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure. For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Brest, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+ 33

+ number without the 0

-1 : 00
of time difference with
Amman

Daylight Savings Time start date: last Sunday in March

Daylight Savings Time end date: last Sunday in October

BANKS

Usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (some until 6:00 p.m.).

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 14:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

220 V - 50 Hz

Tipping
In Brest like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.