Brest, France: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Brest (population 155,000) is a city in Brittany, north-west France, in the département of Finistère (29). Located on the western tip of the Brittany peninsula, the city is an important port and naval base.

The military harbor was fortified by Vauban (1633-1707). During World War II, the Germans held a large submarine base in Brest. Destroyed at the end of the war, the city has been rebuilt.

Since 1901 Brest has served as the midpoint for the epic 1200km bicycle endurance event, Paris-Brest-Paris.

Geography and Location

Aerial map

Mayors

• 1959-1973 : Georges Lombard
• 1973-1977 : Eugène Berest
• 1977-1982 : Francis Le Blé
• 1982-1983 : Pierre Maille
• 1983-1985 : Jacques Berthelot
• 1985-1989 : Georges Kerbrat
• 1989-2001 : Pierre Maille again
• 2001- : François Cuillandre