As you are coming to Gouesnou for the European championships, take the opportunity to stay a bit longer and visit the Brittany !
Here have been selected some great events and sites that has a lot to offer for great memories.

Events

The week right after the European championships there are two great events planned:

• Vieilles Charrues festival which is the largest music festival in France from July 14th to the 17th
• Brest’s International Maritime Festival, with the gathering of many historical sailing ships from July 13th to 19th

Vieilles Charrues festival / 14-17 July

The Vieilles Charrues is the biggest music festival in France. Huge crowds flock to Carhaix every year for the A-list, super-eclectic line-ups. For its 25th edition, on the lineup are  Lana Del Rey, Les Insus, Pixies, Michel Polnareff, Major Lazer, Louane, Pharrell Williams, The Libertines, The Avener, Disclosure…

Website: www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr

Brest’s International Maritime Festival / 13-19 July

After celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012, Brest’s International Maritime Festival is now getting ready for its 7th edition to be held from 13 to 19 July 2016. The edition’s highlights will be the presence of the Hermione, a replica of La Fayette’s historical flagship and the presentation by the French Navy, for the first time ever, of the Monge, an impressive test and measurement vessel. As always, the festival will also bring together sailing ships, traditional boats, exotic crafts, yachts and other boats from around the world. There will also be concerts, exhibitions and other wondrous events to the delight of the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected.

Website: www.brest2016.fr

Sites

Océanopolis, the ocean discovery park

After a vast extension programme launched in 1999 until the Grand re-opening of May 2000, Océanopolis has become a very unique Ocean Discovery Park, combining scientific approach with spectacular settings in its three thematic pavilions: Polar, Temperate and Tropical. With an average number of 450,000 visitors every year, Océanopolis succeeded in developing a real attractive facility in western Brittany.

Website: www.oceanopolis.com

The abers

Aber (celtic word for estuary) is the name used in french for a ria which is a long narrow inlet of the seacoast, being a former river valley that was submerged by a rise of the sea level.

The Aber Wrac’h and Aber Benoit are the longest abers in the area. They are a fabulous destination to discover. The Abers have a strong culturral identity and their environment is totally unspoilt and preserved, especially the dunes of Sainte-Marguerite in Landéda and the banks of the Aber Benoit. These are the home for unique species of birds and flora.

Website: www.abers-tourisme.com

Brest City

Here at “land’s end”, people are hospitable. Since, as we say so often, “you come to Brest, you don’t go through it”. And since you are coming here, why not immerse yourself in our history, sail through our culture and surf the many invitations to enjoy festivities? Look around you; breathe in some fresh air. There is no doubt about it, you are by the sea. This maritime atmosphere, together with its outstandingly beautiful natural surroundings, is an opportunity to go on countless walks, tours and explorations. However, when you arrive in Brest, it is best to begin by exploring the city centre, and at the same time you can visit us at the Tourist office. We know how to give you a good welcome! And yes, at the westernmost tip of France, on the edge of the huge Atlantic Ocean, visitors of all kinds have always come from all horizons, by both land and sea. It is no wonder, even now, that the people of Brest have maintained a great sense of welcome! Advice, tips, ideas and smiles… This is what we reserve for you to get your stay off to a good start. Have you already booked your return ticket? Because after a few days wandering around the little-known delights of the city, where the wash of the sea stirs up a melting pot of sensations, perhaps you will not want to leave, as many before you.

Website: www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr

Finistère department

With the English Channel to the north, the Iroise Sea to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Finistère is completely under the influence of the sea.
For millions of years, waves and storms have shaped our jagged coastlines, creating a wild beauty that is softened by the Gulf Stream.

From north to south, the coast has a thousand different faces, including soaring cliffs, flat beaches, sand dunes and stretches of pebbles. The Abers forge their own shapes in the land, peaceful ports are revealed as you round the corner of a creek; and we mustn’t forget the islands, worlds apart, with distinctly different personalities.

From the Pointe de Primel in the north to the Pointe de Trévignon in the south, there are over 1200 kilometres of coastline, including coastal points with unbelievable views and breath-taking panoramas, perfect places to gaze out to sea and watch the magical light playing on the water.

Website: www.finisterebrittany.com