Car Hire - Brest Bretagne Airport (BES)

Flying into Brest Bretagne Airport (BES)? Enterprise offers car hire in Brest to help you start exploring Brittany's western reaches. The airport sits around 10 kilometres from the city centre, making it a convenient gateway to the Finistère region.

Brest is a port city at the western tip of Brittany. It sits on a natural harbour, one of the finest in Europe. The city has a population of around 140,000, making it the largest urban centre in western Brittany. Much of Brest was rebuilt after World War II, giving it a more modern appearance than other Breton towns. It's known for its maritime heritage. The French Navy has a major base here, and the city's connections to the sea run deep. Brest is also a university city with a young, lively population. The waterfront areas are delightful, with views across the rade de Brest towards the Crozon peninsula.

Car hire from Brest makes sense if you want to see more of the area. The airport connects easily to the N165, the main route along the southern Breton coast. From Brest, you can reach coastal towns in under an hour. The roads are well-maintained and signposted. Public transportation beyond the city is limited, so having your own vehicle provides more freedom. You can visit beaches, explore fishing villages and reach scenic headlands without needing to follow bus schedules. The region around Brest has varied terrain. Some routes take you along clifftops with Atlantic views, while others wind through farmland and forests. Whether you're travelling alone or need something larger like an SUV or 9-seater people carrier, vehicle rental in Brest gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Nearby attractions

Océanopolis is Brest's flagship attraction. This ocean discovery centre sits beside the harbour and has three themed pavilions covering polar, tropical and temperate marine environments. It houses over 10,000 animals across dozens of aquariums. Visitors can see everything from sharks and rays to penguins and seals. The exhibits combine scientific research with engaging displays, making it suitable for all ages. It's one of the most visited sites in Brittany. The Crozon peninsula extends south from Brest across the harbour. This finger of land is edged with dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and small fishing ports. The coastal scenery here is some of the best in Brittany. There are marked walking trails along the cliffs, and the GR34 footpath passes through. The area is popular with hikers, climbers and water sports enthusiasts. Towns like Camaret-sur-Mer have traditional harbour settings and local seafood restaurants. Pointe Saint-Mathieu sits at the northern entrance to the Brest roadstead. This rocky headland has a ruined abbey, a working lighthouse and a memorial to sailors. The setting is dramatic, with cliffs dropping into the Atlantic. On clear days, you can see out to the islands of Ouessant and Molène. It's a good spot for coastal walks, and the area has fortifications dating back centuries.