The best walks and hikes around Gouesnou

a very beautiful hike

feet in the water while being in the city.

In the hollow of the valley, a small stream meanders, feeding many ponds and a waterfall. Perfect for recharging your batteries. This arboretum is sumptuous. You will find incredible tree species, sequoias, eucalyptus, magnolias, giant bamboos and an alley planted with absolutely remarkable tree ferns. On the water, a beautiful diversity of birds, cormorants, herons, egrets, ducks, and kingfishers among others. Good walk a stone's throw from the beach and the marina of the marina.

In the heart of the Vallon du Stang-Alar, the Botanical Conservatory garden is nestled in a former quarry. The 30-hectare site was chosen for its mild climate, steep slopes and the presence of water, which make it an exceptional place where plants from all over the world can be grown. The site is crossed by wide and narrow, stabilized paths, as well as forest trails. Opening hours Conservative garden: open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m. in summer.

An interesting, somewhat alternative historical town, which is a remnant of historical Brest.

From the terrace of the Ateliers des Capucins you have a great view of the former heart of the military port, the Pontaniou Docks. These were built in 1746 near the anchor forge and the shipyard on the banks of the Penfeld in a deep bay. At the time there were three docks. Today, after the reconstruction between 1899 and 1902, they are two dry docks, 178 metres long and 27 and 33 metres wide respectively. The docks, which are obviously still in use, are overlooked by a harbour crane dating from the post-war period. Behind the docks there is a historical backdrop: a high building block designed as a bridge at the top, pierced by round-arched gates and decorated with golden lion heads, blocks the bay from the historic Rue Saint Malo. The ensemble is visually crowned by the Prison de Pontaniou, which is picturesquely falling into disrepair.

Slightly hidden in a corner of the Ateliers des Capucines and easy to miss in the enormous space is the beautiful white and gold barge of Emperor Napoleon, built in 1810 (which Napoleon III also used later in the 19th century). The rowers sit behind a golden Neptune armed with a trident, and behind it is a cabin for the rower, literally crowned. All kinds of mythical creatures and insignia shine in gold. The barge, majestic despite its small size, was used by the emperor for fleet inspections in the important military port of Brest and is an outdoor exhibit in the Naval Museum.

Les Ateliers des Capucins is an enormous 19th century workshop complex that belonged to the naval shipyard. It is located on the high bank above la Penfeld, right next to the historic shipyard on Rue Saint Malo. The complex is the starting point of a modern cable car that takes you to the center on the other side of the river (Place de la Liberté/Rue de Siam) with a view of the city panorama. Even from the equally huge observation terrace you have a fantastic view of the shipyard and the panorama. The gigantic interior is unique: the heart of the complex is huge open spaces with wonderfully smooth floors, where children can skate, ride scooters or play under the glass roofs. Here and there relics from the industrial past are set up: a blacksmith's hammer, a huge ship's propeller, a gigantic lathe. The highlight is the white and gold state barge Napoleon I, displayed in a corner under a mirrored ceiling, with raised oars, a veritable crown and all kinds of golden sea creatures. The bow is decorated - as befits an emperor - by Poseidon himself. To the side of the hall there is a theater, a cinema, a climbing park, a large cultural library, a restaurant passage, a small brewery, co-working spaces and much more.