Here in Brest, culture knows no bounds; from the bustling city centre with its adventurous nature of art and sciences, to the shared culture it emanates, tuned in to the needs of the men and women who live here. The city of Brest is lucky enough to host a particularly extensive network of libraries with one of the highest borrowing rates in France. This again provides irrefutable proof of curiosity, open-mindedness and the desire to learn, which is one of the greatest charms of the city and indeed its inhabitants.
Brest’s national playhouse, the Quartz offers breathtaking avant-garde theatre in which local artists preview their latest creations.

There are many rising stars to be discovered at the gigs at the charming cabaret Vauban, les Jeudis du Port, music and street-art festival on the port every Thursday night during the summer, le Fourneau street art centre, and the theatre le Stella, known throughout the county for its innovative productions.

The Astropolis festival offers a fantastic opportunity to discover innovative electronic music. Another recent development here in Brest is the construction of the Carène music venue, the only one of its kind in Brittany, which offers musicians the opportunity to rehearse in professional studios, and also hosts two stages with exceptional acoustics.

Brest also has a pioneering approach to modern art, rooted in the city:  exhibitions at the Passerelle art centre and the Musée des beaux arts, lettering by Emmanuel Saulnier at place Guérin, original architectural structure by Niels Udo in the parc d'Eole, and Océanopolis designed by Rougerie, as well as the Victor Segalen faculty of the university by Fuksa.

It is no coincidence that this same faculty, with its audacious architecture in the centre of Brest, also hosts the Research Centre for Breton and Celtic Studies. Breton culture in all of its diversity is an important part of daily life. Brittany’s Cinémathèque (film library), with its unique ethnological recordings, is also located in Brest. A number of music schools (conservatoire de musique, centre breton d'art populaire) encourage young people to get involved in traditional music, represented by the Kevrenn Saint-Marc. Every spring, Breton music is celebrated in the “Printemps des sonneurs” procession of over 400 musicians.