Car Hire in Brest

About Brest

Brest is a port city in the Finistère department in the Brittany region of western France. The city is divided into two parts by the Penfeld River.

The city has had a turbulent past. The last major devastation of Brest took place in 1944 when the city was heavily bombed. Brest has always risen from the rubble and has been rebuilt after each devastation. Today, the city is modern and full of amazing architecture. In addition to modern buildings, there are also some great historical attractions that you can visit. Brest does have a lot to offer and that is why it is so popular with tourists and travellers from all over the world.

Brest has always been an important port. In the 19th century, it became a military base. Even during the Second World War, when many infrastructures for submarines were built, the city was largely used for military purposes. Today, along with Toulon, it is still an important naval base. This is largely due to the natural protection provided by the sheltered area where the Rade de Brest is located. Besides the military port, Brest also has a beautiful commercial port, the Quai Commandant-Malbert. You can take a nice stroll through this port and enjoy the view of different ships and boats, from old wooden beauties to modern yachts full of prestige, in many cosy bars and restaurants.

The city is also famous for its Océanopolis, the only ocean discovery centre of this kind in Europe. If you visit this centre, you will have the opportunity to see the seal clinic and other animals that live there. In general, Brest is a modern city full of innovations and modern solutions. By the way, Brest has the first urban cable car (téléphérique) in France, which offers another incredible view of Brest. This urban cable car connects two parts of the city over the riverbank. The accessibility of this city is another plus when deciding whether or not to visit Brest. One thing is for sure, if you decide to visit Brest, you will not regret it. The best thing to do is to rent a car and explore Brest and its surroundings.

Basic info and car hire in Brest

• Location: Brittany region, France
• Population: 139,602
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Brest has an oceanic climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Brest are in good condition.
• Car hire in Brest:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Brest is at Brest airport and Brest Railway Station. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Brest!

 Driving in Brest

Driving in Brest is not very complicated, but be prepared for some traffic jams during peak season and rush hour. There may be increased traffic entering and leaving the port. It is still best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city and use public transportation to explore the city. Many parts of the old town are pedestrian-only, so you can not use a car there anyway. Brest has a well-developed network of bike rental companies. So if you do not like to explore the city on foot or by other public transport, which can be quite crowded at times, then you can rent a bike and enjoy the city while cycling from one part to another.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
• Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
• Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
• Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

What to see in Brest

Océanopolis

This largest cultural and scientific centre of its kind in Europe is a must-see when visiting Brest. It consists of three different areas: Polar, Temperate, and Tropical. You can admire over 10,000 plant species and more than a thousand animal species there. There are 50 different aquariums, each of which offers something special. You can see sharks, seals, stingrays, turtles...

Port of Brest

Brest has an ideal landscape for a perfectly protected port thanks to its geographical location. You can not see everything because the military part is closed to the public, so you can not see the infrastructure and the ships used by the French Navy. But you can enjoy yourself in a commercial port and have a great time. You can admire many different boats and ships. There are many old wooden ships to see in this port, but also some modern yachts. There are nice bars and restaurants in this port, so you can enjoy a meal here or just relax with a coffee or a glass of wine.

Pont de l'Iroise

The Pont de l'Iroise is one of the most popular destinations to take stunning photos in Brest. This monumental cable-stayed bridge spans the River Élorn between Pointe Sainte Barbe and Le Cap. From this bridge, you will have a fantastic view of the sunset and the sunrise.

Tour Tanguy

This medieval building now houses a museum about old Brest. The museum is worth seeing, as each floor is dedicated to a different period of the city's history. You can learn a lot about life in Brest and its surroundings in the different eras of the past. There are also some great old maps of the city so you can see how this area has developed over the last few hundred years.

Best restaurants in Brest:

L'Embrun

Les Maraichers

Restaurant Le Lieu

Creperie La Chaumine

My Fish

Ripailles