Brest métropole océane

The founding partner of the international maritime festivals, the city of Brest harbours a history and ambitions largely focusing on the ocean. The big four-yearly event Tonnerres de Brest is the showcase of the maritime universality of Brest and the tremendous scientific and economic potential of the region in this field.

At the tip of Europe and at the cutting edge of sea sciences and techniques, Brest is the sea's port of registry. Here blows a wind from the end of the world and the sea here has a taste of freedom. An incomparable fabric of very high technology companies has naturally developed around Brest harbour, serving racing boats from all over the world, research and development activities in marine technologies, the needs of the French Navy…

Every four years, the Tonnerres de Brest 2012 measures the eternal inventiveness of sailors and the maritime world in the four corners of the earth against a benchmark of the most beautiful and astonishing ships ever built. For visitors and through the magnifying glass of the world's media, this event also spotlights Brest's position in world maritime culture.