Known for its naval history, Brest was
once France’s first line of defense against attacks by sea and has long been
home to the French Naval Academy. Its
beautiful natural harbor proved important for fishing and shipbuilding and the
ruling Richelieu family built a fortress here in the seventeenth century, part
of which houses the city’s naval museum today. Brest was heavily bombarded by
the Allies during the liberation of France, and most of it was destroyed,
leaving only a few of its medieval buildings and fortifications intact. The town rebuilt, erecting what became
Europe’s tallest drawbridge in 1953 and growing to a population of over 300,000
in its metropolitan area.
We took a lovely panoramic drive to
Plouguerneau, where the tallest stone lighthouse in Europe is located. This impressive structure guards the Abers
Coast. Since the 5th century,
this Leon country has upheld the history of Welsh and Irish immigrants who
landed here on there mission to bring Christianity to Brittany. A few miles on
we saw the ruins of Saint Mathieu Abbey. It was constructed in the 4th
Century.
The whether was dismal with on and off
rain, temperatures in the 40’s and winds that got up to 50 miles an hour. Not a very nice day for sightseeing.
I am going to send a blog from each port
but without pictures. The software I was using to downsize the pixels of the
pictures I had taken so I could put them in the blog now says: OK you have used
this for free now you have to pay for it. I am using my new tablet and I will
not use my credit card to order anything on it. So, if you are interested I
will show the pictures when we get home.
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