Pays de Brest. We put the colors in yours projects.

PAYS DE
“ WE PUT
theColour
IN YOUR PROJECTS ”

PAYS DE
The Pays de Brest area and its 375,000 inhabitants extend their
welcome, inviting you to discover a land of innovation and
development for businesses and services. Its singularity
and attractiveness lie in the combination of a dense scientific
and economic fabric supported by excellent communications
infrastructures, at the heart of an exceptional natural marine
setting. Through its high level facilities and services, Pays de
Brest exerts its influence over all western Brittany and well
beyond, disseminating its leading edge know-how via national and
international networks.
Welcome !
“ WE PUT the Colour IN YOUR PROJEC TS ”

GREEN page > Quality
BLUE page > Pleasure
89 Towns
375 000 Inhabitants
BLACK and
WHITE page >
Culture
25,1%
are young people under 20
(France : 24,6%)
MULTI-COLOUREDpage > Future
OUESSANT
MOLÈNE
20000 enterprises
24000 students
2 100 researchers
ROSCOFF
Pays
de Lesneven
Côte des Légendes
LANNILIS
Pays LESNEVEN de Plabennec
et des Abers
Pays d PLABENNEC
'Iroise LANDERNEAU
BREST Pays de
Communauté Landerneau Daoulas
urbaine de Brest
DAOULAS
PLOUDALMEZEAU
SAINT-RENAN
RED page > Vitality
Presqu ' île deCrozon
CROZON-MORGAT
AUDIERNE
YELLOW page >
Compétences
87,5%success
rate for hight school
A-levels
DOUARNENEZ
Pays de
L 'A ulne
CHÂTEAULIN
QUIMPER
LE FAOU
maritime
Rennes - Paris
Nantes
Bordeaux

The Pays de Brest area has banked on
training, education and brain power
for a long time now. The
24,000 students at the
University of Western
Brittany, in prestigious
engineering schools and
training centres guarantee
you'll find well-trained
ALL THE AREA'S RESOURCES
FOR TRAINING,
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND INNOVATION
and motivated staff who are open to
innovative ideas. Internationally renoned
laboratories and research centres, cutting
edge industries, and a high tech science
park approach reinforce a dense and
diversified economic fabric. With various
forms of business incubators, the area's
economic stakeholders have fully mobilised
their forces to create optimal conditions
for welcoming, creating or
growing of enterprises.
Enib :
one of eight prestigious
engineering or business
schools in Brest
Pointe Saint Mat
headland, one of the
sites in the Pays d’Iroi
Cabasse :
the Rolls-Royce
of acoustic
speakers

“La Cavale Blanche” :
university hospital centre :
hight level health facilities
hieu
ajor
se area
Ixsea :
underwater
acoustics
high tech
Business
incubator :
accommodation and
support for firms
comes first
Defence :
a major economic
player
Saveol :
daring architecture
for a famous brand
24 000 students
2 100 researchers,
so many skills
serving entreprises
Brest harbour :
open to the world,
top ranking French
site for ship repair

The Pays de Brest region's economy exerts
international influence thanks to the
development of its centres of
excellence. These have grown from
the combined forces of research,
high technology enterprises and
major industrial firms. Amongst the
flagship sectors are: marine
science and technologies, ship
building and repair, information
technology, the agri-food sector
CENTRES OF EXPERTISE
AN INTERNATIONAL
DIMENSION
and life sciences, mechanics, logistics and
the service industry for high tech and
NTICs. Both national and worldwide markets
are at hand, thanks to high performance
communication infrastructures, like the
international airport, seaport, road and
rail systems, not to
mention the high speed
networking available
to the area.
Institut
Paul Émile Victor,
French polar
research centre
Sextant :
head for Pays de Brest

Information
technologies :
a flagship sector
for Pays de Brest
The commercial port,
multimodal platform
for the western Atlantic seafront
Research :
a passion
for innovation
SDMOexports its electricity
generators all over the world
Alistar3000 :
an AUV developed by ECA in trials
carried out using Ifremer’s
resources and facilities
Iroise Bridge :
toll-free highways
lead to Pays de Brest

Crédit Mutuel
de Bretagne bank
Farming and the agri-food
business from the Pays de
Brest region are top
ranking in the French
economy and famous
brands are there to prove it.
Diversity of produce and
products, demanding quality, integrated
biotechnologies and flawless logistics are
the ingredients for success.
QUALITY AND
INNOVATION TO BETTER
SERVE PEOPLE
The wealth of natural resources opens a wide
range of fields for life science
exploration. Leading research
scientists are working on
nutrition, health and new
molecules from the sea.
Tradition
devoted to quality
Broccoli
from Pays de Brest
A wide range
of produce :
generous soil
Look ahead,
anticipate and plan

Micro-algae :
marine biology, an extraordinary
field for exploration
Here, the cows
watch the boats
go by…
Brest Bretagne
International Airport
Paris is an hour’s flight away
(as well as many regular
international links)
Science and sea :
well-being from the ocean
The river Aulne
joins the sea
the magic of one of the world’s
finest bays
The seaweed field :
from traditional gathering
to novel products for
the agri-food business,
pharmaceuticals, etc…
Isamor-Esmisab :
for agri-food
quality and safety

L'Ile Vierge lighthouse
The sea, this fantastic
space of freedom along our sho-
res, gives another dimension to the
feeling of well-being here. A few steps
away from company, laboratory or university,
at a bend in the coastal footpath, an
endless horizon stretches before you.
Discoveries unfold at every opportunity,
from the Coast of Legends to the
Crozon peninsula:
AN OCEAN OF DELIGHTS
AND DISCOVERIES
a proud lighthouse, white
sandy beach, a chapel beside
the billowing sea, Ouessant
and Molene islands a stone's
throw away… at land's end
begins a new universe, where you can take
the plunge, drift with the flow, or dream…
The mildness of the ocean climate can be
felt all year long. The cycle of the tides,
the changing light, ensure an ever-varying
scene. Great maritime events, festivals
attracting sailors from the world over,
leave their mark on the life
of our oceanic land.
Encounter
with a grey seal in the islands
Tranquility :
the bay and
sea inlets are
inviting
for a sea outing
The Iroise Sea,
an extraordinary
underwater garden
Pub :
come right in
for a friendly
welcome and
change of scene

Hit the beach after a day at work
Faustine Merret,
Olympic windsurfing gold
medal winner.
Athens 2004
Océanopolis,
the ocean discovery
park has already welcomed
5 million visitors
Entreprise Technopôle
Brest-Iroise:
a science park with
a magnificent, protected
sea view
You can sail
year round here

True to its roots, enhancing its heritage
under its black and white banner, the tip
of Brittany is a land of culture. Dynamic
associations and community life
thrive, with a festive feeling
that you'll find catching.
While keeping its
soul and art de vivre,
the Pays de Brest area
has adopted avant-garde
Plougastel Calvary statue
400 years of history
CULTURE IN MOVEMENT
IN A LAND OF LEGENDS
currents in film, theatre, dance, plastic
arts, music and more. Punctuated by international
conferences, festivals, shows,
musical gatherings, exhibitions, this
lively, varied and always moving culture
holds a constant invitation to learn,
open up and enjoy the warmth and
friendliness.
Music !
All styles
converge
in Pays de Brest
Gwen ha du
black and white,
the colours
of the Breton flag
Christophe
Miossec…
sings about Brest
Street arts
on show at
the Fourneau

From Thursdays
in the harbour
to the big maritime events :
a thousand and one ways
to live it up
Modern art thrives at
La Passerelle
A Breton saint
Rohan bridge :
one of the rare living bridges in Europe
Sally Niolo
at the Festival
du bout du monde
“La Recouvrance”
the replica of an 1817 schooner,
jewel of French coastal heritage
and Brest's flagship
Traditional music
the Spring
of the Pipers

The Pays de Brest area
has succeeded in achieving
sweeping changes without
losing its strong identity,
and while protecting its
exceptional natural setting. Today, daring
projects are being imagined and new
structural facilities being designed. They
will strengthen the driving force behind
Brittany's development as well as the
TAKE PAYS
DE BREST'S PALETTE,
TO PAINT YOURSELF
A COLOURFUL FUTURE
leadership position it holds both
nationally and internationally. Pays de
Brest cultivates the values which
are its true wealth:its
enterprising spirit, its
openness to the world,
traditional solidarity
and a talent for
welcoming those who
come from afar…
Sailing
with the wind
L
Cul
Brest-Breta
the new facility
serve passengers

e Quartz :
tural and Conference Centre
ne air terminal :
will
in 2007
Mamie Nova :
major brands hold
our banner high
Arum Titan :
the world's largest flower
blooms at the National Botanical
conservatory in Brest
A concert hall
for new music :
one of the projects for amenities
on the seafront
The Capucins zone :
10 hectares being redeveloped
on a historical site
in the heart of town
Technopôle Brest-Iroise
science park :
when research and
industry move together,
innovation results
Thales :
a big name
in high tech

PAYS DE
Association Pays de Brest
24, rue Coat-ar-Gueven
29222 Brest cedex 2
Tél : 02 98 33 51 43
Communauté urbaine de Brest
Tél : 02 98 33 52 49
promotion-eco@cub-brest.fr
Chambre de commerce
et d'industrie de Brest
Tél : 02 98 00 38 00
info@cci-brest.fr
“ WE PUT
Communauté de communes
du Pays d’Iroise
Tél : 02 98 84 28 65
pays.iroise@wanadoo.fr
Communauté de communes
de Plabennec et des Abers
Tél : 02 98 37 66 00
ccpa@wanadoo.fr
Communauté de communes
du Pays de Lesneven
Côte des Légendes
Tél : 02 98 21 11 77
CCPLCL@wanadoo.fr
t h e C ol our
IN YOUR PROJECTS ”
Communauté de communes
du Pays de
Landerneau Daoulas
Tél : 02 98 21 37 67
cc@pays-landerneau-daoulas.fr
Communauté de communes
de la Presqu'île de Crozon
Tél : 02 98 27 24 76
cc-picrozon@wanadoo.fr
Communauté de communes
Aulne Maritime
Tél : 02 98 73 04 00
cc.aulne-maritime@wanadoo.fr
Coordination, texts, artwork choices :
Brest Urban Council, Economy directorate.
Design & publication : Copilote Quimper.
Translation : J. Heard Carnot.
Printing : Imprimerie de l'Iroise.
Photo credits : F. Betermin, M. Coquil,
T. Joyeux, S. Cohen, D. Leroux, J.Y. Guillaume,
B. Stichelbaut, A.L. Gac, R. Tanguy, D. Gaultier,
R. Gernot, G. Saliou, A.P. Sandford, P. Daguzan,
B. Galeron, A. Le Nouail, D. Mingant, D. Parrot.
Acknowledgements : DCN, Océanopolis, Adeupa,
Ixsea, Ifremer, Saveol, Eca, Cabasse, SDMO, Even,
Laïta, Semaeb, Thales, Conservatoire Botanique
National de Brest, Marine nationale.
Document created with support from the French State.
DESIGN © COPILOTE · 02 98 95 20 20 · 09/ 04 · 3340

• Brest Métropole Océane –
Urban community council
• Pays d'Iroise
community council
• Plabennec and Abers
community council
• Pays de Landerneau Daoulas
community council
• Pays de Lesneven/Côte
des Légendes
community council
• Crozon peninsula
community council
• Aulne Maritime
community council
The Pays de Brest in figures
A R E A P R O F I L E
> 7 community councils (map insert)
> 89 communes
> Commune of over 150 000 inhabitants –
Brest
> Communes of over 10 000 inhabitants –
Landerneau, Guipavas, Plouzané,
Daoulas and Relecq-Kerhuon
> Size of the Pays de Brest : 1 690 km2 25 % of Finistère
OUESSANT
MOLÈNE
Pays
de Lesneven
Côte des Légendes
LANNILIS
Pays LESNEVEN de Plabennec
et des Abers
Pays d PLABENNEC
'Iroise LANDERNEAU
BREST Pays de
Communauté Landerneau Daoulas
urbaine de Brest
DAOULAS
PLOUDALMEZEAU
SAINT-RENAN
Presqu ' île deCrozon
CROZON-MORGAT
AUDIERNE
DOUARNENEZ
LE FAOU
Pays de
L'Aulne maritime
CHÂTEAULIN
QUIMPER
QUALITÉ The Pays de Brest
DE in VIE figures
P O P U L A T I O N ( 1 9 9 9 C E N S U S )
> Pays de Brest (rounded up) . . . . . . . . .375 000 inhabitants
44 % of population of Finistère
> Finistère . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .852 685 inhabitants
> Brittany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 907 178 inhabitants
• Density
> Pays de Brest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249 people/km2 > Finistère . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126 people/km 2
> Brittany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 people/km 2
• Number of Pays de Brest households in 1999 155 263
• Average taxable income per inhabitant 14 895 euros
Rennes - Paris
Nantes
Bordeaux

Overall population changes between 1990 and 1999
Age classification 1990 1999 1990/1999
0/19 years 96 342 94 133 -2,3 %
20/39 years 106 384 110 206 3,6 %
40/59 years 75 526 92 869 22,9 %
60/74 years 41 855 49 955 19,3 %
75 years and over 21 910 27 598 25,9 %
TOTAL 342 017 374 761 9,6 %
Source : I.N.S.E.E.
> Division of population by age (1999 census)
0/19 years 20/39 years 40/59 years 60/79 years 80 years and over
Pays de Brest 25,1 % 29,4 % 24,8 % 17,0 % 3,7 %
All of France 24,6 % 28,1 % 26,0 % 17,3 % 4,0 %
Average age in Pays de Brest 38,1 years
Average age in Brittany 39,8 years
E M P L O Y M E N T
> Working population ............159 300
> Working population projections for three scenarios in 2015
Working
population
1999 census
"Existing trend"
Scenario
"Earlier entry
into working life”
"Increase in active
employment 55-62 years”
2007 2015 2007 2015 2007 2015
Total workforce 159 300 166 600 164 200 167 500 166 000 171 100 174 200
Under
30 years (%)
50 years
and over (%)
26,6 24,0 22,8 24,5 23,6 23,4 21,5
15,5 19,6 20,8 19,5 20,6 21,7 25,4
> Unemployment rate as at 1 January 2004
• Pays de Brest 8,6%
• Brittany 8,1%
• France 9,7%
Source: Insee/Omphale, Census
180 000
175 000
170 000
165 000
160 000
155 000
150 000
1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
Underlying scenario
“Earlier entry into working life”
“Increase in active employment 55-62 year olds”
Source: Insee/Omphale, Census
For the existing trend scenario, the rates of activity for
each employment zone are projected beyond 2002 based
on past trends taken from an employment survey for the
whole of France for the period 1968-2002.
The earlier entry into working life scenario envisages
young people aged 20 to 24 entering the job market at an
earlier stage.
The increase in active employment of 55-62 year olds
scenario on the one hand simulates a change in behaviour
with regard to pre-retirement plans (rates of employment
for 55-59 year olds) and on the other hand a raising of full
retirement age (increase in rates of employment for 60-62 year olds).

E C O N O M I C A C T I V I T Y
PRINCIPAL EMPLOYERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS
PRIVATE
• DCN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 265
• Thales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 659
• Livbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 300
• Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne . . . . . . . . . . . . . .990
• Groupe Le Calvez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .730
• SDMO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700
• Jabil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .565
• Leclerc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .556
• Bibus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465
• Marc SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .430
• Rolland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .430
• Groupe Even . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .420
• Groupama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380
SPECIFIC SECTORS
Shipbuilding, aeronautics, railways
Research and development
Electrical and electronic y industry machiner
Public administration
Property
Education
Finance
Associations and extra-regional activities
Energy
Operational vices ser
Health and social welfare
Retailing, repairs
Overrepresented
activities
0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5
PROPORTION OF JOBS PER ACTIVITY AND GROWTH/DECLINE
Est 1993 Est 2003
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 2 276 3 140 38,0 %
Farming and food industries 2 510 3 182 26,8 %
Consumer goods industries 1 601 1 608 0,4 %
Automotive industry and equipment supplies 11 750 9 201 -21,7 %
Intermediate goods industries 2 627 3 130 19,1 %
Energy 829 776 -6,4 %
Construction 6 373 7 881 23,7 %
Commerce 14 485 17 697 22,2 %
Transport 3 012 3 639 20,8 %
Finance 3 678 4 021 9,3 %
Property 785 1 045 33,1 %
Business services 9 211 13 773 49,5 %
Private services 6 834 10 360 51,6 %
Education, health and social welfare 26 393 28 999 9,9 %
Administration 22 694 28 079 23,7 %
Total 115 058 136 531 18,7 %
PUBLIC
• Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 000
• CHU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 500
• City of Brest and Brest Urban authority . . .3 000
• University of west Brittany . . . . . . . . . . . .1 100
• Ifremer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600
Total number of businesses . . . . . . . . . .20 655
Reading: Specificity index is relationship between
proportion of employees working in sector within overall
employment zone and same proportion in the region.
Index above 1 signifies that activity is overrepresented in
employment zone. Quantifying of specific industries is
done on same principle limited to industrial activities:
index is relationship between proportion of the sector
in industrial employment in zone and same proportion
at regional level.
Source: Insee – 1999 population census

H O U S I N G
• Total number of housing units in 1999 – 179 053
• Proportion of second homes in 1999 – 8.3 % (including casual accommodation)
• Average monthly urban rent excluding service charges in 2003
Shared property
- Overall figure for apartments – 6,3 euros/m2 - Apartments re-let during year – 8 euros/m2 Individual property
- Overall figure for houses – 5,8 euros/m2 - Houses re-let during year – 6,4 euros/m2 > Land prices for building plots
Brest CUB Pays
euros/m 2 euros euros/m 2 euros euros/m 2 euros
2002 64 39 400 68 42 500 48 33 500
2003 64 42 300 64 46 500 49 36 250
> Property prices in 2002
Older apartments sold in Brest
Resident Average price
numbers
in euros
Studios 192 20 000
T1 277 24 000
T2 369 38 000
T3 717 55 000
T4 532 66 000
T5 and larger properties 191 94 000
Source: Detailed recording of notary property contracts and transactions by ADEUPA
Houses re-sold
Resident Average price
numbers
in euros
Brest 552 115 000
CUB outside Brest 589 136 000
Pays outside CUB 1 439 110 000
USEFUL CONTACTS
BREST MÉTROPOLE OCÉANE
– URBAN COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 33 52 49
promo-evenements@brestmetropole-oceane.fr
PAYS D’IROISE
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 84 28 65
pays.iroise@wanadoo.fr
PLABENNEC AND ABERS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 37 66 00
ccpa@wanadoo.fr
PAYS DE
LANDERNEAU DAOULAS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 21 37 67
cc@landerneau.com
PAYS DE LESNEVEN/CÔTE
DES LÉGENDES
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 21 11 77
CCPLCL@wanadoo.fr
CROZON PENINSULA
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 27 24 76
cc-picrozon@wanadoo.fr
AULNE MARITIME COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 73 04 00
cc.aulne-maritime@wanadoo.fr
BREST ADEUPA – PAYS
DE BREST ECONOMIC
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
+33 (0)2 98 33 51 71
contact@adeupa-brest.com

Pays de
Brest’s loca-
tion at the western
tip of Europe necessi-
tates excellent trans-
port and communication
links. The Brest area
has acquired a modern
transport and communi-
cations infrastructure
equal to its ambitions
and adapted to the
needs of business – an
international airport,
one of France’s best
road networks, a Paris
high-speed train
service and ferry
links.
PPortugal g
Irlande
CORK
BREST
BREST
MALAGA
PLYMOUTH
QUIMPER
Rosporden
Pontivy
QUIMPER
Quimperlé
Ploërmel
LORIENT
Espagne
GGGrande- d
Bretagnee
Loguivy
Tréguier
Lannion Paimpol
Roscoff
St-Quay-
Portrieux
MORLAIX
ST-MALO
GUINGAMP
Landerneau Plouaret
Dol de
ST-BRIEUC
Bretagne
Lamballe
Carhaix
Dinan
Fougères
CHATEAULIN
Loudéac
VANNES
Auray
Redon
Quiberon
Landerneau
Paris
RENNES
Nantes
Roscoff
CHATEAULIN
London
MORLAIX
Rosporden
Voies express
Voies express
en cours d'aménagement
Dessertes TGV
Dessertes TER
ROISSY
PARIS
ORLY
France Fr n
Danemark nemark nemark nemark nemark
Pays Pays Pays-Bas yy Ba
Allemagne g
Belgiqu Belgique lgiq gque qq uu
LYON
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Plouaret
Carhaix
Quimperlé
LORIENT ORI
Auray
Quiberon
CHAMBERY
MARSEILLE
TOULON
Loguivy
Tréguier
Lannion Paimpol
Pontivy
MULHOUSE
Suisse
NICE
St-Quay-
Portrieux
GUINGAMP
Sardaigne rdaig rdaig
VANNES
ST-BRIEUC
Lamballe
Loudéac
Ploërmel
Redonn
Rép. Tchèque
Autrichee e
Italie
Slov Sl Sl S énie nnie
ST-MALO
Dinan
Pologne
Croatie oat
Sicilie
Transport
QUALITÉ
and
DE VIE
Communications
Dol de
Bretagne
Lituanie
Transport and Communications
Map: Brest in relation to map of Europe with air links
+ road and rail map zoom
Slovaquie
SS aquie
Bosnie. nie ie H
Fougères
Paris
RENNES
Nantes
Bielo
AAAAlbanie bb
Ro
Mac M é

JEAN-JACQUES LE CALVEZ
CHAIRMAN OF LE CALVEZ GROUP
Our transport and logistics group has its roots in Brest and has
had its head office there for almost one hundred years. It has
been continually expanding and today employs 850 people
(530 of them drivers), has a turnover of 80 M and owns
500 vehicles.
Our business focuses on the following activities –
- Refrigerated transport (fresh and frozen)
- Gas and hydrocarbon transportation
- Logistics
Despite having installations across the country we have decided
to continue to manage the group from our base in Brest
(Guipavas) posing us no practical problems given the modern
transport and communication links which have been developed
(airport, road network, information technology network, etc).
We are moreover very attached to the region where most
of our clients are based. We know that because of geographical
location, our mission is to compensate for the distance between
place of production and place of consumption for
the companies who are our clients by means
of our competitiveness and our quality of service.
J E A N - L U C P E L T I E R
DIRECTOR OF BREST-BRETAGNE AIRPORT
Brest-Bretagne airport is a key feature of the transport
and communication system in west Brittany.
Possessing a 3 100-metre runway and all-weather landing
system, it is capable of handling all types of passenger
and freight airliners.
Providing direct services to the hubs at Paris CDG
(4 flights per day), Paris Orly (6 flights per day) and Lyon
(3 flights per day), it also provides direct links to Nantes,
Marseille, Nice and Toulon as well as to Birmingham, Exeter
and Southampton. Added to that there are the seasonal flights
to the destinations of Chambéry, Dakar and Fort de France.
In addition, Brest-Bretagne airport offers over 15 charter flight
destinations.
Brest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which manages
the airport, will be bringing a new airport terminal complex
into service in 2007 capable of handling up to 1.4 million
passengers annually.
AIR
Brest Bretagne international airport is Brittany’s
principal hub
Traffic continues to grow and currently totals
704 000 passengers and 3 300 tonnes of freight.
Its 3 100-metre runway enables the international airport
to accommodate fully laden jumbo jets. An all-weather landing
system is also installed.
The airport’s proximity to Brest (15 minutes from city centre)
puts businesses and decision-making organisations within
reach of a means of transport essential to their economic
development.
Destinations
Numerous destinations are served by regular air links.
There are 10 daily flights to Paris taking less than an hour
making it possible to travel to the capital for a day’s work
or to reach around sixty European cities in a morning.
There are other regular links serving London, Lyon, Marseille,
Nantes, Nice, Toulon, etc., as well as twenty seasonal services
to holiday destinations.
Charter passenger traffic is witnessing a major
increase with the arrival of new tour operators
at the hub.
Other regular air links – London, Lyon,
Birmingham, Exeter, Southampton, Lille,
Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg and Mulhouse
Seasonal air links – Toulon, Malaga,
Perpignan and Chambéry
Charter flights – 18 holiday destinations
Facilities
The air terminal is equipped with refrigerated
warehouses and provides office accommodation
for freight operators and veterinary services
(EEC entry point for animal and vegetable imports).
The Brest Bretagne international airport caters for large-scale
cargos for heavy industry, such as exportation of generators
manufactured by SDMO for the US army and of anti-pollution
barges produced by EGMO.
A new air terminal
A projected new complex comprising air terminal and new
parking for planes and cars has become essential due
to increased traffic. Coming into service in 2007, this facility
will cater for 1.4 million passengers and will strengthen
the part the airport plays in the economic development
and attractiveness of the Pays de Brest and Brittany.

S E A
Situated at the crossing point of numerous north/south and
east/west maritime routes, the port of Brest offers excellent
advantages for shipping and has impressive facilities. The port’s
strategic location makes it the gateway to Europe of choice
at the heart of the Atlantic seaboard. It also serves as the port
for a hinterland positioned as Europe’s leading region for the
food-processing industry. A founding member of the Association
des Ports de l'Arc Atlantique (APAA – Association of Atlantic
seaboard ports), it represents an ideal transshipment location
in the context of the development of intra-European maritime
links and trans-European transport networks.
Brest possesses a deep-water harbour (12 metres) which,
among other things, ensures its independence in terms of supply
of raw materials for the food-processing industry and oil products.
It features numerous quayside facilities.
Brest is also an export centre for the regional food-processing
industry – poultry, seed potatoes, etc.
R O A D
West Brittany is served by an outstanding road
network which is the envy of other regions despite
their relative proximity to the capital. Toll-free dual
carriageways in Brittany connect Brest with Paris
and northern Europe as well as with Nantes and
southern Europe. The network is unique not only
because it is free but also because it offers excellent
links with small towns. They are served by junctions
set at one quarter the distance on motorways.
The dual carriageways crossing the Pays de Brest
have an impact on rural areas and encourage
the establishment of new businesses.
R A I L
There are 13 return journeys a day between Brest
and Paris on the TGV Atlantique rail service (4 hours).
The Brest-Paris rail link enables containers to be shipped
on without the cargo having to be unloaded.
Containerised shipping offers logistical potential for all processing
and assembly industries, particularly as a result of the new,
sea/rail/road multi-modal facility (containers, articulated lorries,
etc.) at the port.
Traffic through the port has been on the increase for several
years and currently stands at 2 300 000 tonnes. The port of Brest
with almost 29 320 TEUs (Twenty-foot container Equivalent Units)
is France’s foremost port for such container handling. The port of
Brest is also a centre for major ship repair work, being the leading
French port in this sector. This activity is on the increase too with
forty ships accommodated for refit every year.
In addition to the port of Brest, the Pays de Brest has high-speed
links with the UK and the Republic of Ireland from the port of
Roscoff (50 km from Brest) where Brittany Ferries and Irish
Ferries provide daily sailings to Plymouth (6 hours) and Cork.
ITC
In Brittany, tomorrow’s telecommunications challenges are being tackled
today particularly in the field of innovative digital imaging technology
and fixed and mobile digital distribution networks.
All research laboratories enjoy the advantages of an advanced communication
infrastructure and in particular of two major IT networks.
• Renater is the national research network linked up to the GEANT
European network,
• Mégalis is a complementary network enabling high-speed data
exchange between research centres. The digital university currently
being set up relies on this IT infrastructure.
The Pays de Brest region includes some major players in the ITC
sector, namely Thales, Alcatel, Thomson, ENST Bretagne, Enib,
Ensieta, etc.
They all benefit from the latest information technology connections
(high-speed and experimental ultra high-speed access – VTHD, DSL,
Wifi, etc.).
Developing usage is also a priority, for example via a network
of 32 public Internet access points (PAPI).

K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
BREST-GUIPAVAS AIRPORT
Passenger numbers ...........................................704 000/yr
Freight ...............................................................3 300 tonnes/yr
Commercial movements.....................................13 000
Runway..............................................................3 100 m
New air terminal - Passengers ...........................1,4 million/yr
Surface area ......................................................22 000 m2 PORT OF BREST HANDLING FIGURES FOR 2004
Quayside capacity .............................................4,7 km
Quay surface area .............................................60 ha
Animal feed .......................................................678 000 T
Hydrocarbons ....................................................884 000 T
Other goods.......................................................778 000 T
Total handling ....................................................2 340 000 T
Number of containers (TEU) ..............................29 320
USEFUL CONTACTS
BREST CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
– FACILITY MANAGEMENT
+33 (0)2 98 00 38 00
info@cci-brest.fr
BREST BRETAGNE
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
+33 (0)2 98 32 01 03
info@brest.aeroport.fr
PORT OF BREST
+33 (0)2 98 46 23 80
info@brest.port.fr

In the Pays de Brest,
the beauty of the natural
environment, mildness
of the climate, purity
of the sea air, level
of personal safety
and unique, vibrant
cultural identity
guarantee a rare quality
of life.
Environment for living
S E R V I N G
T H E P E O P L E
> Through its provision of local services, the Pays de Brest reaches out not only
to its own population of 375 000 but well beyond to the whole of western Brittany
with almost one million inhabitants.
The services linked to its urban authority role are very wide-ranging taking in education,
health, local administration, culture and leisure, etc.
A S P E C I A L F A M I L Y
E N V I R O N M E N T
> How many parents have not dreamt of bringing up their children in a region
which simultaneously offers peace and quiet, high quality education (school results
and performance ratings among the highest in France), top level health facilities
and a wide range of sports and cultural venues? In the Pays de Brest, where
accommodation and daily living costs are also among the lowest in France,
this dream is a reality.
Environment
QUALITÉ
for
DE VIE
living
C U L T U R E – T H E A V A N T - G A R D E
A N D K E E P I N G F A I T H W I T H T R A D I T I O N
> Life on one of the western promontories of Europe provides a breadth of vision and
openness to world changes and universal values. Culture in the Pays de Brest ranges
comfortably from traditional roots to avant-garde. Discovering the new and avant-garde
is what Le Quartz is all about. This national venue stages top shows and provides a place
for artists-in-residence to put on their latest work. Discoveries wait to be made too
at the Cabaret Vauban, loved by spectators and performers alike, not to mention
Les Jeudis du Port, a series of outdoor music and arts events every Thursday in summer
at the commercial harbour, and at Le Fourneau, a venue for new street theatre. More
avant-garde highlights feature in the Astropolis festival, dazzling proof of the vitality of
the current electronic music scene, and at the new contemporary music centre, the only
set-up of its kind in Brittany designed to provide musicians with the best rehearsal and
broadcasting facilities. Staying with the avant-garde, contemporary art finds a pied-à-terre
in the city with exhibitions at the Passerelle arts centre and the museum. Fountains
by Marta Pan feature in rue de Siam and structures by Niels Udo in Parc d’Eole
alongside sculptures by Van Thienen and Mark de Suvero.
It is not by chance that the Faculty of Arts, housed in a building of bold design by architect
Fuksas in the centre of Brest, includes the Centre for Breton and Celtic research.
Outward looking and drawing on many different sources, Breton culture is part of daily life.
The Brittany film library and its collection of ethnological documents, unique
in France, are by choice based in Brest. Several music schools provide young people with
an introduction to traditional music as represented by Kevrenn Saint Marc
and celebrated at the annual Printemps des sonneurs, a grand procession of over
400 musicians playing traditional Breton instruments.

WALTER ROEST
IS DIRECTOR
OF THE MARINE GEOSCIENCES DEPARTMENT,
PART OF IFREMER OCEAN RESEARCH CENTRE.
Originally from the Netherlands, he worked in Canada before
coming to settle in Brest at the beginning of 2003.
“What attracted me to Brest? I am a marine geophysicist and
within this specialised field you can count on the fingers of one
hand the institutes around the world of the quality of Ifremer.
So, when a job came up, I didn’t hesitate… Living here I just
admire the thousand and one forms the clouds can take although
what strikes me most of all is the intensity of the light. You can
also appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the richness
of the historical heritage as for example when standing
in the middle of the ruined abbey on the Pointe Saint-Mathieu.
It is an easy city to live in and well served by public transport.
The proximity of the airport – only 6 miles from where I live –
is also very useful. On the leisure side, for my 3 children who
love sailing and football, it’s ideal. So we’re regular visitors
to the marina and Océanopolis.”
Christophe AGNUS
Freelance journalist
After 17 years in Paris I decided to come back to Brest
to give my children the best surroundings in which to grow
up – clean air, water-based sports, low crime rate, high
standard of schools… For my wife and myself it also provided
an opportunity to escape the pollution in Paris and to change
our lifestyle. After ten years at L’Express and five years
running my own magazine, I wanted a change of pace and
that’s what I found in Brest. Even though I continue to work
a lot, my office is five minutes from the house and I can see
my children as they grow up. In addition, I wanted to launch
a magazine about the sea, Nautilus, and Brest seemed to me
the ideal place to do so given its maritime and scientific
environment. Lastly, the frequency of TGV trains and flights
lets me easily make day return trips to Paris even though I
can’t wait to see the introduction of the fastest TGV trains
on our route…
OFFICE TO OFF-DUTY IN TWO MINUTES
> With sailing or golf after work and skating
or horse riding after class…every evening feels
like the weekend! Sports and leisure activities
demanding the great outdoors are closer here than
anywhere else to the office doorstep. Water sports
reign supreme all year round. Brest bay’s particular
location enables all types of craft to be safely sailed
throughout the year. Sailing clubs offer the chance to
discover and practise sea skills from beginner to top
level whether windsurfing, yachting, kayaking
or rowing. Those interested in other sports find
opportunities to practise in natural, unspoilt
locations with plenty of facilities spread
throughout the area. Proof of this
lies in the extremely active network
of sports associations covering
surfing to rock climbing, sand
yachting to paragliding and golf
to track cycling. Around one
hundred sports are practised
in the Pays de Brest.
A large number of sports venues exist
in Brest including stadiums and gyms
as well as specific facilities such as a new
skating rink, swimming pools, velodromes, mountain
biking trails, golf courses, horse riding centres,
climbing walls, flying club, skate parks, go-kart track,
shooting ranges, etc.
Leisure boating activities are grouped together
under the “Station Nautique” label (water sports
resort label). 10 water sports centres are situated
in the Pays de Brest.

L A N D S C A P E A N D D I S C O V E R Y
> Round every sand dune, every bay with its hidden flotilla of moored boats
and every cliff towering above emerald seas lies a different world waiting
to be explored. The coastal paths, a walkers’ paradise, tell the story
of the coastline’s geology, flora and fauna.
At the mercy of strong seas and winds, the inhabited islands
of Molène and Ouessant have a gentle side too. Viewed as mysterious
by mainlanders, the islands are a focus for imagined utopias.
Beaches unfurl a vast expanse of inviting sand which is perfect – depending
on the season – for water sports or for watching numerous species of birds
around the Iroise sea. Long inlets of sea known as “abers” conceal quiet
waters enclosed by greenery and encourage slow pottering in boats.
Brest bay with its thousand and one sheltered creeks enables novice sailors
to weigh anchor in complete safety. Its attractive harbours provide a place
to meet a few fishermen unloading shellfish in winter and discreet
yachtsmen seeking out beautiful places to moor in summer.
On cliff ledges nesting birds and rare flowers add life and colour to the wild
beauty of the landscape. In the Pays de Brest nature and fresh experiences
go hand in hand…
A I R Q U A L I T Y
> Registering a French air quality index of below 5 on all days
throughout the year indicating an absence of atmospheric
pollution, the air off the open ocean has beneficial properties.
W A T E R Q U A L I T Y
> Under the terms of a bay-wide contract, the Pays de Brest
local authorities have established major wastewater collection
and treatment facilities. The aim is to ensure that, by preserving
the outstanding natural heritage of Brest bay and its catchment
basin, all income-generating activities such as tourism,
agriculture, fishing and industry can continue to co-exist
alongside recreational and outdoor activities.
THE MARITIME TRADITION
AND A TASTE FOR CELEBRATION
> The sea is a closely felt presence, its call constantly
heard. The marine discovery park, Océanopolis,
opens up a vast window on the marine environment
and its flora and fauna. The major rallies of tall ships
from Brest 92 to Brest 2004 reveal something too
of what appeals about Breton people – their culture
of the sea and their sense of celebration.
A MILD MARITIME CLIMATE
> Lying on the western fringe of Europe, the Pays de Brest
enjoys a temperate climate characterised by a limited
temperature range. Winters are mild with no prolonged
periods of cold, frost or deep snow as the ocean plays
a part in regulating temperatures. Nor are summers subject
to excessive heat waves. As for rainfall, there is regular
precipitation throughout the year although none
is significant especially along the coastal fringes which
receive scarcely half the rainfall.

K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
CULTURE
Le Quartz Arts and conference centre attracting 200 000 spectators per year
Océanopolis Science and technology centre, leisure facility and showcase for a leading European oceanography site with 450 000 visitors per year
Brest municipal library 512 000 documents, 27 000 readers, 1 460 000 loans per year
In association with Ifremer, the university and the naval department of history, Brest with its municipal libraries is a specialised sea and oceanology
resource centre linked to France’s national library.
Centre for contemporary music Rehearsal studios and workshops for amplified music, recording studios and stage production
(seating for 500 and 1 200)
Breton centre for popular arts Teaching of traditional Breton music and dance
Brittany film library 10 000 films of all formats, collection of regional ethnology documents unique in France
Passerelle Centre for contemporary art with exhibitions, events and artists’ workshops aimed at involving the greatest number of participants
in the contemporary creative arts scene
Museum of fine arts 300 European paintings from 17th century to present
Naval museum 51 000 visitors per year
Brest art college 235 students and 29 teaching staff
Naval department of history Library which was successor to the first naval academy founded in 1752 holding 20 000 works
Centre for Breton and Celtic research 40 lecturer/research staff of the Université de Bretagne occidentale and the CNRS
with a collection of 35 000 works
State approved music school 900 pupils and 40 teachers
National college of music, dance and dramatic arts 1 200 students, 65 teaching staff and 600-seater auditorium
National botanic garden The aim of the 40-hectare garden is to identify, collect and grow rare or endangered species from around the world
and in particular from island habitats.
Penfeld exhibition park Halls seating between 1 000 and 12 000
(Sting, Michel Sardou, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Renaud, Francis Cabrel, Johnny Halliday, Placebo, M, etc)
Daoulas Abbey International visitors’ centre introducing civilisations and cultures with permanent exhibitions attracting 61 000 visitors per year
FESTIVALS
Les Jeudis du Port – Free quayside concerts and shows drawing 235 000 spectators per year
Science and scientific leisure activities month – Highlight of the Brest calendar with scientific culture topping the bill
European festival of short films - Amateur theatre festival - Kann al loar (Landerneau Celtic festival) - Pays d’Iroise Celtic festival
Astropolis (electronic music and arts) - Grande marée (storytelling festival) - Longueur d’ondes (radio and listening festival)
Carnets d’ici et d’ailleurs (travel journal book fair) - Atlantique Jazz festival
MÉDIA
2 quality daily newspapers – Le Télégramme de Brest and Ouest France
12 local radio stations
SPORT
Skating rink, flying club, velodromes and golf courses
Brest municipal water sports centre Fleet of 450 boats accommodating a total of 700 and the biggest water sports centre in France
9 other water sports centres in the Pays de Brest
AWARDS
Les Crocodiles de l'Elorn, leading French windsurfing club, won a gold medal in the Athens Olympics.
The Stade Brestois football club has moved up this season to the second league.
In basketball, Etendard de Brest has signed up for the Pro B championships.
SPORTING EVENTS
Week of speed sailing (sailing and the latest technology) - National sprint trophy - French sailing championships
Le Figaro race - Multihull Grand Prix - International tennis tournament (ATP tour)
Footpaths (km) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 000
Social/educational facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Museums, folk museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Cinemas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Music schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Choirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Swimming pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Golf courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Water sports centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Horse riding centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
CONTACTS UTILES
ASSOCIATION
OF PAYS DE BREST
COMMUNITY COUNCILS
+33 (0)2 98 33 51 43
LE QUARTZ
+33 (0)2 98 33 70 70
lequartz@lequartz.com
OCÉANOPOLIS
+33 (0)2 98 34 40 40
oceanopolis@oceanopolis.com
BREST
LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE
+33 (0)2 98 44 24 96

The information and com-
munication science and
technology sector repre-
sents an area of
particular
expertise
in the
Brittany
region
involving
around 130
companies and
almost 20 000
jobs. The Pays de Brest
counts top-ranking busi-
nesses and research cen-
tres among its employers
and has made its mark
internationally in the
following specialist
fields –
• Telecommunication
optics
• Mobile communications
• Virtual reality
• ITS (Intelligent
Transport Systems).
Information and communication
science and technology
S P E C I A L I S T F I E L D S
A C E N T R E F O R T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N O P T I C S
> Optics technology offers a solution for high-speed communications in the future. The Pays de Brest has a
history of links with this field through work carried out in Lannion. It is now able to take advantage of existing
research potential (ENST Bretagne, Enib, Université de Bretagne occidentale, Isen Brest) and can promote its
expertise particularly through the recently created body Optogone.
Information and
QUALITÉ
communication
DE VIE
science and technology
A C E N T R E F O R M O B I L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
> This unquestionably influential sector for the Pays de Brest provides a concentration of internationally recognised,
high-tech expertise particularly in the field of turbo codes. Radio communications work focuses on
both the defence (Thales) and civil (Ifremer) sectors.
PRACOM (Regional advanced centre for communications), supported by ENST Bretagne, has recently developed
advanced research capabilities in mobile communications.
A C E N T R E F O R V I R T U A L R E A L I T Y
> Brest has successfully established a unique core of expertise in this developing field. Work involves applications
in areas including medicine, training and information systems security.
CERV, (European centre for virtual reality), attached to Enib, is a facility providing a framework for work in this
area.
I T S – I N T E L L I G E N T T R A N S P O R T S Y S T E M S
> ITS involve transport applications for the latest communication technology. This is an emerging sector in
which Brest is fostering collaboration with Japan (Yokosuka).
Regional partners (GIS ITS and Meito), companies (Autocruise and Antennessa) and higher education bodies
(ENST Bretagne, Ensieta, etc) are all heavily involved.

LUCIEN TRAON
Chairman of Afeit
A wealth of technological potential and the presence of ICT
networks involving companies, research centres and higher
education should place Finistère in a position to respond to
new industrial development policies based on centres of
excellence and on regions.
The combined potential of Brest and Finistère brings
dynamism to the city and to west Brittany providing
significant benefits for the future.
JACQUES TISSEAU
Director of CERV
There is no doubt that Brest is one of the pioneering centres
for information and communication science and technology
in Brittany. Universities, industries and institutions have succeeded
in creating real synergy and a driving force for
quality in Brest. The current environment favours innovation
and is responsible for the emergence in June 2004 of CERV
(European centre for virtual reality) within Technopôle Brest
Iroise.
CERV caters for researchers of different disciplines who
contribute to establishing, diffusing and promoting
knowledge supported by high calibre, inter-disciplinary
dialogue. The only one of its kind in France, CERV is
evidence of a common desire to make Brest a centre of ICT
excellence with a European vision.
H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N
The high quality of training and research centres is one reason behind
the dynamic ICT sector. ENST Bretagne, located in Brest, and Cnet
(national centre for telecommunications studies in Lannion) have played
a decisive part in it for more than 20 years. Telecommunications
research receives an additional boost from the defence industry and the
presence of bodies such as Ifremer. Telecommunications research in
Brest, Lannion and Rennes represents 45% of the French total.
The numerous topics under research include :
• Digital communications
• Optics for telecommunications
• Information and signal processing
• Virtual reality
• ITS (intelligent transport systems).
T R A I N I N G
A N D R E S E A R C H
The Pays de Brest has a great deal to offer in terms of training
in information science and technology.
A complete range of science and technology training relating
to IT is represented and constitutes a wide body of qualified
personnel available to small and medium-sized companies
and major groups.
Every year 1 100 students receive training in this field from
the higher education institutes –
• ENST Bretagne
• Enib, Isen Brest, Ensieta, Ecole navale and ESC which in
addition to their own curricula provide qualification-based
options.
The Université de Bretagne occidentale moreover offers traditional
courses in electronics and industrial automation as
well as in specialised subjects such as –
• IUP informatics
• IUP telecommunications and networks
• IUP mechanical engineering and industrial automation

R E S E A R C H
> A total workforce of 550 is engaged in public (250) and private (300)
research in the Pays de Brest.
The Ecole nationale supérieure des télécommunications de Bretagne
(ENST Bretagne) is internationally recognised as a model institution for
telecommunications research.
The Ecole nationale supérieure d’ingénieurs de Brest (Enib) has created
two laboratories, one working on virtual reality – an industrial informatics
lab (LI2) – and the other on optics – Recherche en Electronique,
Signal, Optronique, Télécommunications (RESO).
The Ecole nationale supérieure d’ingénieurs des études et techniques
d’armement (Ensieta) working on automated on-board systems, the Ecole
navale on underwater acoustics and the Institut supérieur de l’électronique
et du numérique de Brest (Isen Brest) with its optoelectronics lab, are
making a significant contribution to driving forward research.
The Université de Bretagne occidentale (UBO) has highly specialised
informatics research units and several laboratories at its disposal including
LATIM (Laboratory for processing medical information in concert with ENST
Bretagne) and LSOL for spectrometry and laser optics.
LEST, a mixed research unit involving both UBO and ENST Bretagne, itself
has a workforce of 50 researchers.
Research in the private sector, stimulated by the major groups (Thalès,
Alcatel and Answare) is also supported by small and medium-sized companies
who are developing their own IT tools.
Applied research, whether in the context of diversification or expansion, has
had some recent successes – Antennessa with hyperfrequencies, Turbo
Concept with digital communications, and Optogone with optical systems in
telecommunications. These are just some examples of companies to have
emerged from the enterprise incubator at ENST Bretagne.
I N D U S T R I A L A N D T E R T I A R Y I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
> For almost 40 years Brest has enjoyed the significant benefits afforded by the presence of
major industrial sites which are high users of information technology. They generate valueadded
services such as maintenance, consultancy and IT business as can be seen with
Thales and Alcatel.
The defence sector too plays a decisive role as a result of activities which require a high-tech
input. It stimulates research through, for example, the work of Gesma. The role of small and
medium-sized businesses and industries is equally important in terms of creating services.
The leading IT sector companies in Brest are –
• Thales
• Alcatel BS
• Jabil circuit
• Answare and SSII télécom
• Thales Microwave and electronics components
• Thales information systems
• Atlantide (Altran group)
• Cap Gémini
• Cabasse
• Autocruise
• Others – Antennessa, Bluecom, Boost Technolgies, Cognix-systems, CS SI, Elosystèmes,
Optogone, TNI, Turbo Concept, etc.

P R O V I D I N G L E A D E R S H I P T O I N D U S T R Y
Key local players quickly appreciated the need to co-ordinate and lead activities in the development of
information science and technology.
Several different bodies now fulfil this role –
• Technopôle Brest-Iroise, whose mission is to bring companies and higher education/research closer
together, provides a platform for ICT activities in particular through the practical support afforded by
an “information technology village”.
• Afeit (Association of electronics, IT and telecommunications industries) provides a structure for
collaboration and exchanges between research and training establishments and industry in west Brittany.
Afeit brings together over sixty companies.
• Meito (West France electronics, information technology and telecommunications body)
has a regional remit.
• The chamber of commerce and industry is responsible for initiatives aimed at the acquisition
and diffusion of IT practices.
• Finally, Brest Métropole Océane is devoted to shaping and strengthening the economy, higher education
and research through investments either in a project management role or as co-financer, as in for example
the metropolitan fibre optic network available to telephone companies.
I N I T I A T I V E S
Local authorities, training and research establishments and companies boost the number of initiatives
and projects in the various telecommunications fields. Examples include the creation of a high-speed
regional network, Ouest-Recherche, in association with Renater, video teleconferencing applications via
high-speed link (telebanking, teleworking, telemedicine, teletraining, etc) and platforms for demonstration
and experimentation.
An ATM link connects Brest, Lannion, Rennes and Paris.
K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
BRITTANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 companies
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 000 jobs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45% of research in France
PAYS DE BREST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550 research staff in ICT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 100 students
CREA’TIC START-UP CENTRE . . . . . . . .1 000 m 2
ENST BRETAGNE INCUBATOR . . . . . . .350 m 2
USEFUL CONTA CTS
TECHNOPÔLE BREST-IROISE
02 98 05 44 51
contact@tech-brest-iroise.fr
ASSOCIATION DES
FILIÈRES DE L’ÉLECTRONIQUE,
DE L’INFORMATIQUE ET
DES TÉLÉCOMMUNICATIONS
DE BRETAGNE OCCIDENTALE
(AFEIT)
02 98 02 95 87
contact@afeit.asso.fr
ENST BRETAGNE
02 29 00 11 11
BREST MÉTROPOLE OCÉANE -
COMMUNAUTÉ URBAINE
02 98 33 50 50
contact@brest-metropole-oceane.fr
CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE
ET D’INDUSTRIE DE BREST
02 98 00 38 00
info@cci-brest.fr

The success of the Pays
de Brest rests on having
reaped the benefits
of investing in brainpower
as a factor in economic
development.
Well-developed HE provision
has enabled the research
sector to find fertile
ground in the large number
of laboratories within
the university and selective
HE institutes (“grandes
écoles”), some of which
have achieved national
and international renown.
Research
C E N T R E S O F E X C E L L E N C E
S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y
O F T H E S E A
> 60 % of research in France linked to the sea is based in Brest. It constitutes the
highest concentration in Europe of research and development in this field.
Applied R&D focuses particular on
- Oceanography (physical, operational, etc)
- Integrated environmental management and marine resources (ocean and coastal
ecosystems, marine geosciences, maritime health and safety, etc)
- Underwater and offshore technology (acoustics, robotics, etc)
QUALITÉ
DE
Research
VIE
I N F O R M A T I O N A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N
S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y
> 45 % of ICT-linked research in France is based in Brittany (Brest, Lannion and
Rennes).
A major part of Breton competitiveness in this sector centres on the Pays de Brest’s
involvement in 4 areas –
- Digital communication
- Optics for telecommunications
- Information and signal processing
- Virtual reality
- ITS (Intelligent transport systems)
L I F E S C I E N C E S
> Backed by a robust food-processing industry and specialisation in the fields
of health and the sea, the Pays de Brest is currently significantly developing this area
of expertise, in particular as regards –
- Food safety
- Nutrition
- Marine biotechnology (economic development of marine micro-organisms, cosmetics, etc)
- Bioinformatics (design of drugs, proteomics)

ANDRÉ CHOMETTE
Director of ENST Bretagne
The establishment of ENST Bretagne in the Pays de Brest has
enabled it to develop research activities in several areas, namely
the sea due to the closeness of, among others, Ifremer, defence
with the Thales centre, health with the CHU hospital and the Ecole de
médecine (school of medicine) and banking and insurance with Euria.
Situated at the heart of a dynamic centre of excellence, ENST
Bretagne has developed some innovative projects using the centre’s
enterprise incubator and nurseries. Following through the work
of students, research/teaching staff and former students has led
to the creation of such high-tech companies as Antennessa,
Turbo-concept, Optogone and Boost, which in their turn enrich
the research of ENST Bretagne.
Regional authorities actively support the development of research
in the information technology sector (ICT) both through funding
and international promotional campaigns (conferences, Jeanne d’Arc
missions, etc). Along with the sea, ICT represents a major focus
for R&D in Brest.
Lastly, there is a positive current climate for ICT in the Pays de Brest
due in particular to the effectiveness of the "TIC Pays de Brest"
group in promoting information technology.
GÉRARD RIOU
Director of the Centre Ifremer in Brest
Ifremer was set up within the Technopôle Brest-Iroise at the end
of the 1960s. Its facilities on this site represent the largest at
its disposal in terms of the number employed and the diversity
of skills involving all branches of marine science and technology.
The complex nature of modern research topics necessitates
the combining of a wide range of skills from the education,
research and industry sectors.
The concentration in Brittany of academic partners such as
the UBO, IUEM, IPEV, IRD and ENSIETA, linked to a network
of companies in the maritime systems, instrumentation
and associated services sectors represents an important
advantage for our economic development. Increased dynamism
between the various players will strengthen our position
internationally. It is in this context that we are today working
together to create a competitive centre of marine-related
expertise.
A M B I T I O U S A N D S T R U C T U R E D
S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y
O F T H E S E A
> Brest is home to Ifremer’s largest multi-disciplinary
research centre specialising mainly in the study of ocean
physics and exploration of the deep – structures
and operations at sea, maritime materials,
instrumentation/sensors/acoustics, testing methods, etc.
> The European university institute of the sea brings
together the core teaching provision and research
laboratories of the Université de Bretagne occidentale
(UBO – University of west Brittany) in the field of marine
studies – universe and life sciences, chemistry, law and
economics, social sciences, etc., supported by national
and international research programmes.
> La Pérouse library, which holds the combined collections
of Ifremer, UBO and the Institut de recherche (IRD –
Research institute), has acquired “national
library of France” status as a “centre
of expertise in sea-related matters”.
> Numerous specialised research
teams –
- Cedre – Assistance in preventing
and combating the effects
of accidental water pollution
and anti-pollution service provision
- Genavir – Group managing ocean
survey vessels
- Ipev (Paul Emile Victor Institute) –
Selection, co-ordination and implementation
of polar and sub-aquatic programmes
- IRD – Tropical oceanology research
- Epshom – Laboratories working on marine cartography,
instrumentation, tides and currents
- Cetmef – Maritime signalling, oceanography,
marine pollution, technical assistance and prevention
> Involvement of Brest “grandes écoles” in certain areas
relating to the sea –
- ENST Bretagne, Enib, Isen Brest, Ensieta
and Ecole Navale
R E S E A R C H

L I F E S C I E N C E S
> A centre of expertise in life sciences enjoying solid research support in molecular
biology, genetics, medical imaging and telemedicine. The Institut de synergie des
sciences de la santé (I3S – Institute for combined health sciences research) brings
together teams working in the medical field (UBO, CHU, ENST Bretagne
and EFS Bretagne).
Brest medical research participates fully in current research centre work such
as that of the Cancéropôle Grand Ouest (cancer research centre for west France),
a body which aims to improve understanding of the mechanics of cancer, its detection
and treatment, and the Groupement d’Intérêt Scientifique Génopôle Ouest
(scientific interest group for genetics in west France) which is working on developing
the genome in sea-related sectors and in food-processing, health and bioinformatics.
> Developments in food processing (devising of new products, clinical nutrition,
food safety and environmental factors) are realised in particular by teams working
at the Institut des sciences agro-alimentaires et du monde rural (Isamor – Institute for
food-processing science and the rural environment) and at Esmisab, in association
with university research teams.
I N F O R M A T I O N A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Among the numerous research themes being developed are optics, radio communications and virtual reality.
- ENST Bretagne – Departments of signal and communications, microwaves and optics
- Enib – Industrial informatics laboratory (LI2) – Virtual reality – laboratory researching electronics, signalling, optronics
and telecommunications (RESO)
- Ensieta – Informatics, automation and signal processing
- Ecole Navale – Underwater acoustics group (ASM), geographical information systems group (SIG),
hydrodynamics and propulsion systems group (Hydro)
- UBO – Informatics research unit
- Isen Brest – Optoelectronics department
- Latim – Medical information processing laboratory – partnership between the medical faculty, CHU hospital and ENST Bretagne (Inserm)
- LSOL – Spectrometry and laser optics laboratory – partnership between ENST Bretagne, UBO, Enib and Ifremer
- Lest – Electronics and telecommunication systems laboratory – CNRS national research unit shared by ENST Bretagne and UBO
Research centres
Two major research projects in the field of information and communication technology are being carried out at the Technopôle Brest-Iroise –
- The Centre européen de réalité virtuelle (Cerv – European centre for virtual reality) – A
- 2 000 m_ research centre, an initiative of Enib, it houses work on the development of a virtual reality studies centre of excellence.
- The Pôle de recherche avancée en communications (Pracom – Centre for advanced research in communications) – Housed in a building of
1 600 m_, Pracom’s principal mission is to develop research programmes in the field of communications, encryption and information.
It is an initiative of ENST Bretagne.

THE TECHNOPÔLE BREST-IROISE – THE DYNAMICS OF INNOVATION
> The Technopôle Brest-Iroise today brings together almost 6 500 men and women from the world of research,
higher education and business. The mission of the Technopôle Brest-Iroise is to encourage meetings
and exchanges between the various players and to create an atmosphere favourable to the economic expansion
of the region through innovation. In order to do this, the Association du Technopôle Brest-Iroise is developing
interest-based networks around the three Pays de Brest centres of excellence and is strengthening the existing
economic fabric through ongoing support for the creation and development of innovative businesses in the region.
COLLABORATIVE ENTERPRISE GROUPS
> To achieve regional economic development through innovation, the Technopôle Brest-Iroise initiates and leads joint
activities at the interface between those involved in research and in business with the aim of
- Promoting the transfer of technology between partners,
- Supporting businesses in the development of their expertise and in the conquering of new markets.
This unique initiative is being developed within the context of group-based industrial and scientific partnerships.
In the marine-related field
G2RA – Underwater acoustics –
A group working on producing collaborative projects enabling
the design and manufacture of products aimed
at new markets in the following sectors –
- Offshore oil
- Underwater cabling
- Fishing and sea farming
- Oceanography
- Environment.
Littoralis – Integrated coastal management –
This group offers advice and services for managers,
farmers and industrialists in the coastal region.
Its aim is the economic development and conservation
of coastal zones.
K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
PUBLIC RESEARCH CENTRES – 22
• Researchers – 2 100
PRIVATE RESEARCH CENTRES – 12
• Researchers – 365
THE TECHNOPÔLE BREST-IROISE
• 145 members (businesses, research centres, HE establishments, local authorities, professional bodies)
• 6 500 people on site
DESIGNATED FACILITIES
Infrastructure for accommodating businesses (floor space in m 2 )
• 1 incubator run by ENST Bretagne (250 m 2 ),
• 2 general business nurseries (830 m 2 ),
• 1 nursery devoted to information and communication technology – Créatic (636 m 2 ),
• 2 business hotels (2786 m 2 ),
Haliod – Offshore deep water –
This group offers equipment and services
and is capable of undertaking integrated studies,
technology development and training.
- Underwater acoustics and robotics,
- Ocean meteorology,
- Vessel hydrodynamics,
- Environmental safety and protection.
In the field of information science and technology
Iroise – High speed, convergence, mobility –
- Experimenting with new generation, high-speed
networks, integrating voice, data and video (triple play)
in the same platform
- Helping businesses anticipate market developments.
• One enterprise village (1040 m 2 comprising workshops, laboratories and offices).
Communal services – Photocopying, post office, meeting rooms, resources library and
videoconferencing suite
USEFUL CONTACTS
Technopôle Brest-Iroise
(Technology and enterprise
agency)
+33 (0)2 98 05 44 51
contact@tech-brest-iroise.fr
Brest Métropole Océane –
Urban community council
Formation recherche
+33 (0)2 98 33 53 14
recherche-enseignement@brest-metropole-oceane.fr

Brest’s geographical location,
the expertise of its
research teams and
businesses and
its strong
maritime
tradition
have encouraged
the
development
of a
marine-related
centre of
excellence.
Brest and its region occupy
a leading position in France
in several areas, notably –
• Oceanographic research
• Advanced training in
marine-related fields
• Naval defence
• Naval shipbuilding
• Merchant ship repairs
• Marine and underwater
instrumentation
• Maritime safety
• Organisation of the fight
against pollution
• Production and processing
of algae.
Science and industry of the sea
B R E S T – E U R O P E A N L E A D E R
I N T H E S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y O F T H E S E A
> Brest has become the centre for major sea-related events.
Well-known for its large-scale maritime festivals held every four years and
attracting the finest sailing ships from every corner of the globe, Brest also
plays host to the largest international scientific events such as Ocean's,
Isope, UDET and Safer Seas.
Sea tech Week is an international biennial event on the science and technology
of the sea lasting one week and bringing together specialists from all
over Europe to attend scientific lectures and a professional fair.
Brest fosters networks and contributes to projects at a European
level particularly within the context of the European
peripheral ports’ conference and of relations
with its partner cities.
Science
QUALITÉ
and industry
DE VIE
of the sea
60 % OF FRENCH RESEARCH LINKED TO THE SEA
IS BASED IN BREST
> This situation strengthens Brest’s position and that of its region as the foremost
centre for marine-related activities in Europe and as national and international leader
in the following fields – oceanography, defence, offshore operations, instrumentation,
environment, resources, biology and maritime safety.
All partners in marine-related fields work together as part of a network through the
Technopôle Brest-Iroise. The Brest Ifremer centre, foremost oceanography research
institute in Europe, and other Brest-based establishments cover all branches of science
and technology relating to exploration and exploitation of the marine environment.
Ifremer, Université de Bretagne occidentale/IUEM, IRD, Gesma, Ensieta, ENST
Bretagne, Ecole navale, Epshom, Cedre, IPEV, Cetmef, CNRS, Météo France, Afssa,
Océanopolis and businesses within this sector employ 2 300 people working on
the following –
• Study of major geological structures of the world’s oceans,
• Bathymetric and seismic data collection,
• Marine chemistry, geochemistry and water quality,
• Ocean dynamics, spatial and aerial oceanography, ocean meteorology and ocean
conditions, currents and tides,
• Integrated studies of coastal systems and modelling,
• Biology, biochemistry, marine microbiology, fishing and fish farming research and toxicology,
• Environmental impact studies and waste dumping at sea,
• Research into polar ocean zones,
• Study of algae,
• Cultural and scientific engineering.

PAUL TREGUER
IUEM
Along with the Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
(IUEM), the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO) and
the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
find themselves at the forefront of multidisciplinary
research (law, economics, geography, science) and advanced
training in marine-related disciplines. The IUEM is
developing relations with 200 partners at a global level
and more particularly with the USA, Germany and the UK.
Head of REX "EUR-OCEANS" (European network of excellence)
looking at the interaction of climate change and
marine ecosystems, the IUEM is also taking part in the
REX "Marine Genomics" network led by the Roscoff
Station de Biologie Marine. In collaboration with Ifremer-
Brest and the CNRS, the multidisciplinary Observatoire of
the IUEM is monitoring coastal water quality and marine
flora and fauna biodiversity.
As preparation for a doctorate or for work within related
industries, the IUEM offers students a Masters degree in
the Science of the Sea and Coast, the only one of its kind
in France and one with a particularly international focus.
PIERRE LECA
Chairman of the Pôle Mer du Technopôle Brest-Iroise
"Almost two thirds of France’s national research potential in the
field of marine science and technology is concentrated in Brittany
and, in particular, in Brest. The city is France’s leading port for the
maintenance of the naval fleet and for merchant shipping repairs.
Through topic-based working groups at Technopôle Brest-Iroise
(G2RA, Haliod, Littoralis, etc), Brest has shown it is capable of uniting
the forces of research, education and industry to promote maritime-related
innovation.
All these strengths have put Brest in the running as Brittany’s candidate
for the position of foremost centre for marine-related enterprise
within the context of safe and sustainable development."
A N I N D U S T R I A L F O R C E
> A naval defence base for the Channel and the Atlantic,
Brest is the headquarters of FOST (Strategic naval force)
and has always been an important centre for industry related
to FOST’s military activities.
Its harbour, site of the leading ship repair yard in France, can
accommodate supertankers of 500 000 tonnes and offshore oil
platforms. It is a major shipbuilding centre due to the presence
of the DCN yards which are particularly renowned for the
construction of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier,
Charles de Gaulle, and which are currently working on
construction of command-and-control vessels in collaboration
with other well-known companies such as Sobrena, Snef,
Sofresid Engineering, etc.
Brest also has acknowledged expertise in the maintenance
and upgrading of strategic naval force submarines.
• Construction of warships,
• Manufacture of equipment for fighting marine pollution,
• Full-scale maintenance of surface vessels and submarines,
• Management of specialist ships,
• Design and production of autonomous,
on-board systems,
• Instrumentation and robotics,
• Information management,
signal processing and data bases.
LIVING RESOURCES OF THE SEA
> Brittany supplies half the fish landed in France.
Finistère is the principal fishing département accounting
for 30% of the national turnover.
The maritime fishing industry in Brest is dominated by
versatile coastal fishing specialising in fresh fish, crustaceans
and shellfish such as scallops.
The Pays de Brest is at the forefront of the seaweed
harvesting and processing industry. 800 species of
seaweed are present on wild coastal harvesting sites
representing around 75% of all species irrespective of
type and 85% of the national production of Laminaria.
Algae are exploited for the food industry as gelling
agents and for cosmetics and thalassotherapy. Several
companies in this sector – Algotherm, Science et mer,
Océalys, Technature, Agrimer, Bretagne cosmétiques
marins and Lessonia – are developing new uses.

WIDE-RANGING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
> All levels of training relating to the maritime industry from essential shipbuilding trades to university doctorates and including
technical and engineering diplomas are available in Brest:
• Université de Bretagne occidentale: IUEM – multidisciplinary centre for marine research
Marine studies – Postgraduate school of marine sciences – University graduate and postgraduate courses
and continuous professional development
IUT – Department of mechanics, electrical and electronic engineering, informatics, applied biology and environmental studies,
• Ecole navale – Training in marine technology and its application to defence,
• Ensieta – Training for engineers and specialist training in the fields of naval architecture, offshore engineering
and underwater acoustics,
• Ifremer – Practical placements in its 30 Brest laboratories,
• Cedre – Training at all levels in the prevention of and fight against pollution,
• Isen Brest – Training of engineers in instrumentation and underwater acoustics,
• ENST Bretagne – Training of engineers in signal processing, underwater transmission and satellite links,
• Enib – Masters in transmitted virtual reality and higher diploma in electronics and optoelectronics,
• DGA – In-company and intra-company training in essential shipbuilding and repair trades,
• Ecole des hydrographes (Shom) – Advanced technical training in hydrography, marine cartography and oceanography
and measuring at sea,
• IRD – Placements for trainees within teams working on oceanographical physics, coastal modelling,
fishing industry-related biology, etc
• Bibliothèque La Pérouse – Library and resource centre
O C E A N E N G I N E E R I N G
> The research centres already cited, engineering colleges and around fifteen
businesses including DCN, Thales, Ixsea, Sercel, Cofrepêche, Institut
de la corrosion, Eca, Boost Technologies, NKE-Micrel, Sofresid engineering,
Atlantide, Oikos and Micromer possess all-round expertise in this field
of activity.
The major areas covered in Brest are:
• Scientific and operational instrumentation,
• Underwater acoustics, sea-bed imaging, acoustic transmission
and location,
• Accidental water pollution prevention technology and equipment,
• Marine environment trial and test centres,
• Behaviour of structures at sea, materials in the marine environment
and naval hydrodynamics,
• On-board systems and naval engineering,
• Marine environment surveillance using buoys, satellites,
AUVs and automatic coastal stations,
• Fish farming technology and fish pathology,
• Polar technology,
• Integrated coastal management,
• Underwater robotics and on-board intelligence,
• Maritime safety, maritime navigation systems and support,
• Naval defence engineering and underwater warfare,
• Shipbuilding engineering.
MARINE LEISURE INDUSTRY
> The Pays de Brest sees its economic develop-
ment as being linked to major growth in the waterbased
sports and leisure industry around the
construction of boats and manufacture of equipment
for fishing and commercial shipping.
Small and medium-sized businesses make up the
bulk of companies involved in this activity and
include Voilerie Incidences, Chantiers Lucas,
Chantiers du Guip, KMT, Yucca Voiles, Voiles
Océans, Kanabeach, Exocet and 3C Composites.

K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
> MARINE-RELATED ACTIVITIES INVOLVE 25 000 PEOPLE IN THE PAYS DE BREST.
• Publicly funded research: 1 248
• Privately funded research: 813
• Defence and maritime safety: 12 153
• Shipbuilding and repair (including sub-contractors): 6 956
• Marine sports and leisure: 306
Of which –
Industry: 118
Commerce: 92
Water sports centres: 96
> FISHING
Number employed
• Fishermen: 494
• Fish farming: 125
• Fish auctioneer: 1
• Wholesalers: 45
• Fish processing: 370
• Fishmongers: 214
• Services: 89
USEFUL CONTACTS
TECHNOPÔLE
BREST-IROISE
02 98 05 44 51
www.tech-brest-iroise.fr
IFREMER
02 98 22 40 01
www.ifremer.fr
INSTITUT UNIVERSITAIRE
EUROPÉEN DE LA MER
02 98 49 86 03
www univ-brest.fr/IUEM
COMITÉ LOCAL
DES PÊCHES
02 98 37 83 36
CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE
ET D’INDUSTRIE
02 98 00 38 00
www.cci-brest.fr
BREST MÉTROPOLE
OCÉANE
02 98 33 52 49
www.brest-metropole-oceane.fr

Metallurgy is a flagship
industry in Brittany
involving over
2 000 companies and almost
70 000 jobs. This sector
has successfully learned
from 4000 years of
metallurgy
history.
Today it is
a dynamic
industry
which,
enriched
by the
diversity of
its activities
and professions, has
established centres
of excellence in a number
of fields.
In the Pays de Brest,
activities linked to
defence and civil
contracts and the presence
of major procurers such
as DCN, Thales, SDMO,
Alcatel, etc, have created
fertile conditions for
the growth of sub-
contracted SMEs which are
in turn developing complex
skills and technology
in several fields.
Metallurgy industry
Metallurgy
QUALITÉ
industry DE VIE
INDUSTRIAL CAPA CITY AND SUB-CONTRACTING
> The construction and repair in Brest of heavy tonnage
ships – from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier,
Charles de Gaulle, to two command and control vessels
– and the presence of major component manufacturers
requires a vast range of skills from boiler-making to
nuclear technology and including surface treatment, precision
mechanical engineering, automation, fluid technology,
electronics, software engineering and engineering.
Any new industry setting up business in the Brest region
can rely on this exceptional network of sub-contractors and
suppliers who possess all the necessary quality assurance
certifications.

FRANÇOIS MEUNIER
Chairman of the board of directors of the Meunier Group
“The Meunier Group has always found conditions in Brest
right for the success and development of its activities –
Etablissements Meunier providing industrial maintenance,
Meunier SA offering specialist machinery and precision
engineering, Sobrena undertaking ship repairs and SDMO
Industries manufacturing generators. Technical expertise
and reliability are the basis of this success.
From employing a total of 7 staff
in 1948, the Meunier Group has
today reached a workforce
of 1 800 and achieves
a turnover of 460 million euros. Having put it to the test, I
can honestly say Brest means business!”
HERVÉ MOULINIER
Director of the Centre Thalès Systèmes Aéroportés
(Thales airborne systems centre) in Brest
“The activities of the Centre Thalès Systèmes Aéroportés
in Brest are on the one hand focused on airborne
maritime surveillance and patrol and on the other on
electronic naval warfare involving electro-magnetic
protection of submarines, surface vessels and also air
and sea platforms. We are also a centre of expertise
in product development and integration and client
support relating to such products. The ultimate success
of these activities as a whole requires calling on a diverse
range of trades and professions – engineers and business
management specialists certainly but also specialised
technicians and operators, administrative and financial
support staff, and so on. One of the Pays de Brest’s major
strengths lies precisely in the quality of the highly trained
workforce. There is no recruitment problem here as the
region is an “exporter of grey matter” with demand
outstripping supply. What is also noticeable is the high
degree of commitment which drives our workforce to
respond to challenges faced by us in fiercely competitive
markets. The resultant increasingly close collaboration with
research bodies, higher education establishments and
technology SMEs also plays a significant role. This is a
virtuous circle which we aim to develop. Finally, the quality
of the environment, ease of integration and sense of
solidarity are invaluable assets for those already
settled in Brittany.
They are a factor too in the region’s
appeal which we try to promote
in order to compensate for its
peripheral location and to overcome
preconceptions when attracting
colleagues here from other centres.”
SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIR
Shipbuilding and repair are historic activities here given
the region’s maritime vocation.
The two key sources of industrial procurement – DCN for military and
Sobrena for civil contracts – are at the centre of a network of more
than forty businesses involved in construction and maintenance.
Brest is France’s leading ship repair dockyard employing 10 270 people
which represents 7.5% of the Pays de Brest working population.
(These figures are for the total number involved in the metallurgy
industry according to the French industries classification codes
(NAF codes) and not just those in the ship repair sector, the latter
figures making even more impressive reading).
Principal activities on site
• Operational maintenance of strategic ocean-going fleet
submarines and their strategic missiles,
• Maintenance and modernisation of surface vessels,
• Support and logistics for the French navy,
• Development and construction of heavy tonnage combat ships,
• Repair and maintenance of Atlantic coast merchant fleet for
vessel types such as methane tankers, ferries, shuttle-tankers
and offshore oil platforms,
• Manufacture of light tonnage hulls.
Principal skills
• Engineering and technical documentation,
• Boiler-making and manufacture of metal
structures,
• Metallurgy and metals processing,
• Electrical engineering and electronics,
• Mechanical engineering,
• Piping,
• Surface treatments,
• Design and manufacture of on-board and
underwater instrumentation,
• Supply of equipment and machinery,
• Services such as logistics, IT and health and safety.
Companies
• DCN Services Brest – Operational maintenance and repair,
modernisation and construction of naval vessels
• Sobrena - Ship repair for heavy tonnage merchant shipping
• Thales Airborne system – Electronic weapons systems
and airborne radar
• Thales Underwater System – Sonar systems
• CIB – Sheet-metal production and boiler-making
• SMNB – Sheet-metal production and boiler-making
• Meunier ets – Ship repair and maintenance
• Groupe Snef – Electrical engineering, sheet-metal production
and boiler-making
• SLPN – Surface treatments
• Opteor – Electrical engineering
• SPTMI – Fitting
• Assystem études – Engineering, project consultancy
• Sofresid engineering – Engineering, project consultancy
Infrastructure
• Docks : 11 docks in Brest from 66 to 420 metres long
and 11 to 80 metres wide
• Lifting capacity : 24 quayside cranes of 20 to 200 tonnes
3 floating cranes of 15 to 250 tonnes, 1 gantry crane of 450 tonnes
• Workshops : Numerous workshops possess sizeable, high-tech
facilities relating to the prefabrication of metal structures,
assembly, pipe machining, electrical engineering and hydraulics.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL PLANT
> Metallurgy is the key to everything in 2005!
AND METALWORKING
It is involved at every stage from design through to manufacture.
• All methods of transport from cars to planes,
• Everything required for fitting out businesses in all sectors of activity from production line to computers, telephones to lifts
and including microchip cards and electronic systems,
• Everything required for equipping homes from boilers to CCTV surveillance and washing machines to digital cameras.
The following main industrial sectors are represented in the Pays de Brest –
• Mechanical engineering, metalworking and hydraulics
Meunier SA, precision engineering, EGMO, mechanical engineering, machining, assembly and electrical engineering
• Boiler-making, air conditioning and piping
Cofreth, air conditioning and maintenance, ETT/VIB, ventilation and air conditioning, CVB, heating, ventilation and white rooms
• Industrial equipment, metal construction and farm machinery
SDMO, generator manufacturer, Le Pape, steel frames and construction, Rolland, farm machinery and trailers,
Pichon, farm machinery metalworking and welding
• Industrial supplies
Bellion, Hartereau, Kiklos.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, ELECTRONICS AND PRECISION INSTRUMENTS
The sector includes 207 businesses in the Pays
de Brest (2003) and has grown 3% since 1998,
employing 2 245 people today.
• Companies
Thales, airborne detection systems
Alcatel, research, development and training
Jabil circuits computerised call centres
Nextream equipment and networks for audiovisual
communications
Groupe Traon
Dourmap Electricité, panels, consoles and boxes
Cabasse Electroacoustique, Hi-fi equipment
SPIE Trindel, automated networks
Novatech technologies, electronics
Some highly specialised SMEs operate as spin-offs
to these companies in the following main sectors –
Electronics
• R&D consultants – Printed circuit installation, testing,
software testing, etc
• Electronics manufacture – Professional equipment and systems,
printed circuits, assembly, cabling, telecommunications,
telephony, video-communications, maritime electronics, underwater
electronics, instrumentation, regulation, measuring,
electro-acoustics
• Maintenance – Maintenance, after-sales and inspections
• Technical data sheets
• Training
Production
• Software development – Computer-assisted design and manufacture
and production management
• Automated processes – Research and production
• Real-time process management
• Technical manuals
• Training

R E S E A R C H
• Mechanical behaviour of materials and
structures
• Hydrodynamics
T R A I N I N G
Intense industrial activity has generated a well-developed education and training structure for basic and continuing
education and leading to all levels of qualification from basic certificate (CAP) to engineering diploma.
• Brest DGA training centres,
• Network of state and private education providers,
• Network of agencies most notably Brest Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
• The U.I.M.M. (Union of metallurgy industries) and its training networks – C.F.A.I. (apprenticeships), A.F.P.I.
(continuing vocational training) and I.T.I.I. (engineers),
• The Université de Bretagne occidentale (University of west Brittany),
> Research centres
> Technology training institutes – I.U.T. and I.U.P. and vocational degrees
• Engineering HE colleges and research centres
> Ecole nationale d’ingénieurs de Brest (ENIB – Brest national engineering college)
Training of general engineers in field of electronics, IT engineering and mecatronics
> Ecole nationale supérieure des ingénieurs d’études et techniques d’armement (ENSIETA –
National advanced engineering college for weapons technology)
Training of engineers for multidisciplinary professions in the field of electronics, informatics
and mechanical engineering
> Ecole nationale supérieure des télécommunications de Bretagne (ENST Bretagne – Brittany
national advanced telecommunications college)
Training of engineers in the field of new information and communications technology
> Institut supérieur de l’électronique et du numérique, Brest (ISEN Brest – Brest advanced
institute for the study of electronics and digital technology)
Training of general engineers in electronics and information processing
• Rheology of complex fluids
• Plastic and composite materials
Laboratories and research units provide
services within their fields of expertise, e.g. –
> Ifremer tests any material which has
to be submerged or be resistant
to corrosion
> Institut français de la corrosion
(French corrosion research institute)
> UBO (IUP mechanical engineering)
> Ensieta
K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
METALLURGY
• 2 200 companies in Brittany
• 70 000 jobs representing 1 job in 10
- Metalworking 21 %
- Industrial equipment 18 %
- Electronics and telecommunications 20 %
- Precision instruments 10 %
- Car manufacturing 18 %
- Ship building and repair 13 %
Finistère represents 27 % of Brittany’s
metallurgy industry
SHIPBUILDING
• 10 270 jobs being 7.5 % of the Pays de Brest
working population
USEFUL CONTACTS
TECHNOPÔLE BREST-IROISE
(TECHNOLOGY
AND ENTERPRISE AGENCY)
+33 (0)2 98 05 44 51
contact@tech-brest-iroise.fr
BREST CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
+33 (0)2 98 00 38 00
info@cci-brest.fr
UNION DES INDUSTRIES
ET MÉTIERS DE LA MÉTAL-
LURGIE DU FINISTÈRE
(FINISTÈRE UNION
OF METALLURGY TRADES
AND INDUSTRIES)
+33 (0)2 98 02 54 79
BREST MÉTROPOLE OCÉANE –
URBAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 33 50 50
contact@brest-metropole-oceane.fr
ASSOCIATION DES FILIÈRES
DE L’ÉLECTRONIQUE,
DE L’INFORMATIQUE ET
DES TÉLÉCOMMUNI-
CATIONS DE BRETAGNE
OCCIDENTALE
(AFEIT – ASSOCIATION OF
WEST BRITTANY ELECTRO-
NICS, INFORMATION TECH-
NOLOGY AND TELECOMMU-
NICATIONS INDUSTRIES)
+33 (0)2 98 02 95 87
contact@afeit.asso.fr

The 375 000 inhabitants of
the Pays de Brest represent
44% of the population of
Finistère. More urban in
nature than the rest of the
département due to the size
of Brest, it remains an area
where agriculture plays
a significant economic role.
The same applies to food
processing, one of the Pays
de Brest’s leading
industries.
It is like the
Brittany
foodprocessing
industry
as a whole
which is
ranked
among the
top nationally
in terms
of output and jobs.
Agriculture, Fishing
& Food processing
A G R I C U L T U R E – A T R A D I T I O N A L A C T I V I T Y
> Finistère is an agricultural producer of major significance being ranked third in France and employing
a 20 000-strong workforce. It is the leading French producer of artichokes, cauliflowers, shallots and seed
potatoes, the second biggest producer of eggs, pork and poultry, and the fourth of milk and beef.
Finistère accounts for almost one third of Brittany’s food-processing industry workforce.
Traditionally, the 3 main production areas in the Pays de Brest are milk (30% of département production),
pork (35% of département production) and greenhouse crops (over 15 ha and 1 000 jobs) including vegetables,
flowers, Plougastel strawberries and seed potatoes (foremost French producer).
Agriculture,
QUALITÉ
Fishing
DE VIE
& Food processing
FOOD PROCESSING – STRONG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
> Agriculture and fishing have encouraged the growth of a highly diversified network of food-processing
businesses for milk and dairy products, slaughtering and meat processing, salting, canning, ready cooked
meals, packaging, etc.
Small and medium-sized – often family – businesses have grown up in the Pays de Brest around the big
groups such as Coopagri, Even, Doux, Sill and Unicopa, some of which have achieved leading positions
in national and international markets. Established in rural areas, the SMEs contribute to the wealth and life
of small towns and to the robustness of the area’s economic fabric.
The food-processing industry sector in the Pays de Brest is involved in many different activities –
• Dairy produce (Coopagri, Even, Uclab, Laïta, Sill and Rolland Flipi),
• Frozen foods (Kermad, Gyma, Euragra, Gelagri and Darégal),
• Salted foods and ready cooked meals (Kerguelen, Bredial, Kermad, Marc, Artique, de Cadenet
and Kermarc),
• Animal feed (Cobrena, Sobréal, Ouest-Elevage, Cargill Soja France, Sofac, Even nutrition,
Morvan and Tromelin),
• Poultry slaughtering (Doux, Savel, Arnal and Faisan doré),
• Slaughtering and preparing of meat (Goar, Kerguelen, Jestin, Ouest Elevage, Gad, etc),
• Fruit, vegetables and flowers (Savéol, Coopagri, Sicagri, etc),
• Industrial bakery and pâtisserie goods with numerous companies in particular manufacturing traditional
Breton “pure butter” products (Faure Waouh !, Stéphan, Cousquer, etc).

GILLES FALC’HUN
Director of SILL
“Specialising in food processing, SILL has its roots in
the Pays de Brest where its finds its essential raw materials,
namely locally produced milk. The company is lucky to be
able to rely here too on key human resources both in terms
of training and technical expertise. The area possesses all
the relevant training structures relating to IT, maintenance
and electronics. Employees are trained and ready carry on
learning. They love their work and are ambitious to further
their careers. The environment is also an undeniable plus
provided you can dodge the rain! The proof – those
employees who are not originally from here don’t want
to leave once they have tasted our quality of life.”
JEAN-CLAUDE LE GALL
Chairman of Savéol
“The Pays de Brest is known for the great range and quality
of its processed foods. Savéol, a co-operative specialising
in fruit and vegetable production, is today the French market
leader for tomatoes, marketing 20 varieties out of 200 tested
every year! It has also re-launched the Plougastel strawberry
which is now enjoying international acclaim.
This recognition contributes to the positive image
of the area. Another of the Pays de Brest’s attractions
is its rich cultural life, often supported by local businesses.
Savéol too is involved in numerous cultural events such as
Brest’s maritime festivals and it puts a lot of effort into
the traditional pipe band, the Plougastel Bagad,
and the “Musiques et Cultures” association which organises
concerts in the chapels of the Plougastel peninsula.
Lots of people who come to us with negative
preconceptions in the end fall under the spell…
We build true and lasting relationships here!”
N U T R I T I O N
P O T E N T I A L N E W D I R E C T I O N S
> Today, consumers’ expectations are also focussed on
health issues. The desire to “eat healthily” opens up fresh
possibilities for the research and development of new
products. The Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU –
university hospital) and the Université de Bretagne
occidentale (UBO – university of west Brittany) are already
working together in this field. A farm production unit has
been established and is actively involved in scientific studies
into human nutrition offering potential new directions for food
processing in the Pays de Brest.
Similarly, the Even Group and its “health food” department
have joined forces with researchers at the Brest Ifremer
centre to carry out marine-based research work.
M A C H I N E R Y A N D E Q U I P M E N T
> Production, processing, packaging and certification are all part
of a serious commitment which has encouraged the development
of a machine tools and equipment industry. The agribusiness
in the Brest region can find all the skills it needs locally.
• Food processing industry equipment – Meunier, EGMO
and Dehimi
• Farming and animal husbandry equipment – Pichon, Galvelpor,
Emily, Rolland and Electroland have established their quality
brand beyond the area’s borders
• Industrial chilling and air conditioning – Honoré froid, ETT,
Cesbon, Tourn’ouest and V.I.B.
• Metal packaging – Carnaud BMA, Ferembal and Frampac
(south of the département).
•

D I S T R I B U T I O N
> Marketing and product promotion at all levels of the industry is highly
structured. Prince de Bretagne economic development committee, Savéol
promoting fresh vegetables, Laïta (Coopagri, Even and La Cana) marketing
dairy produce and Argel promoting frozen products are all grouped together
under the umbrella concept of the “Produced in Brittany” label.
Large and medium outlets are well established locally in particular
in the form of La Scarmor, the Leclerc group purchasing centre
and the Magasin Vert farm produce outlets among others.
I N T E R N A T I O N A L T R A D E
> The port of Brest offers a range of diverse skills and services for accommodating and dealing with bulk
food-processing goods, containers, ro-ro ferry traffic, etc. It has developed specialist services in the export
of frozen and temperature-controlled meat products.
> Brest-Guipavas international airport is accessible to fully loaded, jumbo jets (100 tonnes). Equipped
with a freight terminal and chilled warehouses, it has the potential to develop international trade.
> As gateways to Europe, the port and airport are approved European Union veterinary checkpoints
for the importing of animal and vegetable products into the European Community.
F U R T H E R T R A I N I N G
> The Pays de Brest not only has excellent school provision, it also boasts significant continuous
education and training facilities preparing students for work in agriculture, food processing and rural
community services. Higher education continues to be competitive in this sector with ISFEEL in
Saint Pol de Léon, Agrotech and IREO in Lesneven.
The Ecole supérieure de microbiologie et de sécurité alimentaire de Brest, (Esmisab – HE college for
microbiology and food safety studies), part of the Université de Bretagne occidentale, trains engineers
in farm and food-processing product quality and safety.
Diplomas such as the DEA (advanced diploma) in basic and applied microbiology, the engineering
diploma in advanced innovative technology and the advanced technical diploma in applied biology
strengthen the skills-base of top generalists and technicians in the field of food products from
production to processing.
At Brest higher commercial college (ESC Brest-Bretagne), the international food-processing institute
(IAAI) offers a Masters in international foodstuffs trade and marketing whilst the logistics institute trains
students in transportation management.

R E S E A R C H A N D D E V E L O P M E N T
> Both public and private research centres have wholeheartedly adopted the aims of the Brest region bringing new
dynamism to the economic life of the area.
Isamor, part of the Université de Bretagne occidentale, is currently working on product and environmental quality
and in its microbiology labs is researching health and safety as well as food safety. It is also studying biotechnology
and improving vegetable quality, hydrogeology, plant physiology and applied microbiology (Quimper campus),
making use of available resources such as the regional, micro-organism bank, La Souchothèque de Bretagne
(UBO/CNRS/Ifremer).
Equasa (food quality and safety research project) is developing research led by Esmisab and Isamor (UBO).
Finistère also benefits from the work of numerous centres of research and innovation both public and private –
• Biodiversity and microbial ecology laboratory (LBEM – Esmisab/UBO),
• Inra (National institute for agronomic research), CATE, etc,
• Brittany plant biotechnology (Saint-Pol-de-Léon),
• Adria (Association for the development of applied research for the farming and food-processing industries
in Quimper),
• Coopari Bretagne (Central laboratory for analysis of pollution contaminants and research and development
specialising in food safety, new products, etc.),
• Bretagne Plants (Hanvec),
• Germicopa (Châteauneuf-du-Faou),
• Plant protection service and La Croix economic interest group (Savéol) – Integrated biological plant protection
measures in horticultural production
Ongoing dialogue between the business world and the laboratories facilitated by Technopôle Brest-Iroise and Adet
strengthens the expansion of this industry which is now a European leader.
Technopôle Brest-Iroise has established close links between the food-processing and marine industries (fish/shellfish
farming, biotechnology and cosmetics), electronics/information technology (sensors, process control and simulation),
mechanical engineering (equipment and machinery), health (food safety and nutrition) and logistics
(EDI and refrigerated chain).
K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
AGRICULTURE
1 283 farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 125 waged staff (5% of working population)
351 students in final year of training
FOOD-PROCESSING INDUSTRY
400 companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 610 jobs (+ 60% between 1982 and 1999)
295 students in final stage of training
PORT OF BREST
QUAYSIDE WAREHOUSE CAPACITY
Bulk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 000 T
Refrigerated depots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 000 m3 USEFUL CONTACTS
FINISTÈRE
CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE
+33 (0)2 98 52 49 30
josee.lennon@finistere.chambagri.fr
DÉPARTEMENT AGRICULTURE
AND FORESTRY MANAGEMENT
+33 (0)2 98 76 59 59
HE COLLEGE
FOR MICROBIOLOGY
AND FOOD SAFETY STUDIES
+33 (0)2 98 05 61 00
esmisab@univ-brest.fr
INTERNATIONAL
FOOD-PROCESSING INSTITUTE
(ESC DE BRETAGNE)
+33 (0)2 98 34 44 44
info@esc-bretagne-brest.com
TECHNOPÔLE BREST-IROISE
+33 (0)2 98 05 44 51
contact@tech-brest-iroise.fr
BREST
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AND INDUSTRY
+33 (0)2 98 44 14 40
r.legall@cci-brest.fr
LOCAL FISHERIES COMMITTEE
+33 (0)2 98 37 83 36
PAYS DES ABERS/CÔTE
DES LÉGENDES DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (MARINE INDUSTRY)
+33 (0)2 98 89 78 44
paysabers@infini.fr
PAYS DE LANDERNEAU
DAOULAS DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
+33 (0)2 98 85 45 85
adet@adet.fr

The outstanding levels of
education and training
attained in west Brittany,
regularly reflected in
performance indicators
such as the number of
pupils leaving
school with
qualifi-
cations,
serve to
illus-
trate the
traditional
benefits to be
reaped from brain-
power and training
as factors in regional
economic development.
The Pays de Brest caters
for 28 047 students
attracted by the quality
of education and
the special environment
enjoyed by this maritime
urban area.
Education and training
A D Y N A M I C E N V I R O N M E N T
> The university, 8 “grandes écoles” (selective HE institutes), post-school
training, postgraduate provision and specific centres of excellence make
the Pays de Brest a focus for vibrant student life. All the right ingredients exist
for personal and professional fulfilment – internationally renowned laboratories
and research centres (Ifremer, IRD, IUEM/UBO, Cetmef, Ipev, etc), high-tech
industries, well-developed economic infrastructure (DCN, Thales airborne
systems, Thales unverwater systems, Alcatel, Groupe Meunier, Crédit Mutuel
Arkéa, Groupe Omnium, etc) and an enterprise and technology agency
promoting excellence and supporting growth and innovation.
There are two internationally recognised centres of excellence in research fields
relating to marine science and technology and information and communications
science and technology.
A third area of leading research expertise is being developed in the life sciences
sector.
All this activity is supported by an excellent transport and communications
infrastructure – international airport, toll-free, motorway standard roads, rail
network and high-speed, regional Internet access.
Education
QUALITÉ
and
DE VIE
training
H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N A N D T R A I N I N G
A F U L L R A N G E O F O P T I O N S
> The Pays de Brest offers a wide choice of education and training provided by a multidisciplinary
university, 8 colleges of engineering, management and the arts,
HE access courses, advanced technical studies and numerous specialised, advanced
training courses.
Since the start of the 2004/2005 academic year, HE establishments have become part
of the European Higher Education Area.
How the 3 French degree levels – Licence/Master/Doctorat – work –
- The degree structure is based on three levels – the "Licence” (baccalaureat + 3 years),
“Master” (baccalaureat + 5 years) and “Doctorat" (baccalaureat + 8 years)
- A course of study and training is designed to meet the student’s personal development
plan and is put together on a semester basis
- There are common terms of reference shared with the European HE Area – 60 credits
being equivalent to a year’s study

MARIE-THÉRÈSE HERGOUALC’H
DIRECTOR OF BREST CAREERS AND INFORMATION CENTRE
You cannot help but be struck by the breadth, diversity and quality
of education and training provision in the Pays de Brest. A network
of forty-seven “collèges” (11-15 year-olds) close to population centres
caters for the whole area and public and private “lycées” (16-18 year-olds)
offer balanced, quality secondary education including numerous
preparatory classes for the selective “grandes écoles” (700 places
available). In the area of technology and vocational education, training
geared to FE qualifications ranging from the CAP to the BTS covers virtually
all employment sectors and has successfully developed areas of expertise.
Another feature of the region is the strong desire on the part of those
involved in the education system to work together to support young people
more effectively in the development of their own education and training
programmes.
J E A N - C L A U D E B O D E R E
C H A N C E L L O R O F U B O
The Pays de Brest can take pride in its many strengths in the field
of education and training. The first thing one notices about the
region is a deep-rooted commitment to educational success as
the excellent pass rate for the baccalaureat confirms. The
Pays de Brest’s location at the extreme tip of Brittany –
perceived at first glance as a handicap – paradoxically
becomes an advantage for local people who
derive maximum benefit from this relatively isolated
situation. The sea/land interface also contributes
to the appeal of the Brittany headland, including as
a place to study. Another factor in its success is
the spirited determination of the Bretons, and of the
students in particular, to independently develop their
education, training and research potential. Finally,
attention should also be drawn to important links forged
between the economic fabric and local authority structures,
partnership HE institutions and research bodies, skills transfer agencies
and so forth.
S T U D E N T V I E W P O I N T S
Students come to Brest from all over – there are more than 80 different
nationalities. The whole city mobilises to offer them the best
possible welcome. Our association, Essamba, is there to facilitate
welcoming them and to help newly arrived foreign students get
organised. The association is an amazing focus for socialising,
meeting great people and getting to know other cultures.
Justin Aglin-Anatole, Chairman of the Essamba
(All together) Association
When you come from Montpellier, you do wonder what life is going
to like at the other end of France… It was a pleasant surprise – even
the climate – and the region is fantastically beautiful! As chairman
of the college students’ committee, I play a part in organising student
social life. We run evening events helping to create a feeling
of solidarity in the college and to get the students out and about!
Grégory Golf, Chairman of an engineering
college students’ committee
UNIVERSITÉ DE BRETAGNE OCCIDENTALE
(UBO – UNIVERSITY OF WEST BRITTANY)
> 16 762 students
Six university schools (UFR)
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Science and Technology
- Law, Economics and Management
- Sport and Physical Education
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Odontology
Two university institutes of technology (IUT)
Brest IUT
- Biological engineering
- Electrical engineering and industrial informatics
(Open to apprentices + electronics option)
- Mechanical and production engineering (Open to apprentices)
- Business management and administration
- Public and commercial administration (Morlaix)
Quimper IUT
- Biological engineering
- Business management and administration
- Marketing studies
- Logistics and transport management
Quimper
- Food industry innovation
- Heritage development
Five vocational university institutes (IUP)
Brest
- Mechanical and production engineering
- Mathematics and IT engineering
- Telecommunications and communication
networks
Four Institutes
- European actuary institute (Euria)
- Institute for general administrative training (Ipag)
- European university institute for marine studies (IUEM)
- Institute of business administration (IAE)
- College of midwifery
Engineering apprenticeship training scheme in Quimper
- Engineering training in food-industry technology (FITI2A)

O T H E R H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N P R O V I S I O N
> 5 500 students within the urban area
• University teacher training institute (IUFM)
• HE access courses
• Advanced technical courses for industrial and tertiary sectors (STS)
• Petty officers training college
• National arts and crafts conservatoire (Cnam)
• Institute for nursing care training
• Institute for the study of market forces (CCI)
• Institute for education and social work (ITES)
• Regional social work institute (IRTS)
• Advanced business consultancy and training institute (Elytis)
• Tourism and leisure training (Sup Ouest formations)
• Institute for selective and advanced course preparation (IDPECES)
T H E “ G R A N D E S É C O L E S ”
S E L E C T I V E H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N
> 8 “grandes écoles” of engineering, management and the arts – 4 000 students
• Brittany national advanced telecommunications institute (ENST Bretagne)
• Brest national advanced engineering institute (Enib)
• National advanced weapons engineering and technology institute (Ensieta)
• Naval college
• Brest higher institute for electronics and digital technology (Isen Brest)
• Advanced microbiology and food safety institute (Esmisab)
• Bretagne Brest college of commerce (ESC Bretagne Brest)
• Brest advanced arts institute (Esab)
C O N T I N U I N G P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
> A total of thirty training organisations provide adults with a full programme of training
corresponding to the major sectors of economic activity within the employment area.
Flexibility is a key characteristic of these, much appreciated by those seeking
professional training.
The employment/training agency (Inforem) studies changes in employment and in trade
and profession profiles and the consequences for continuing professional development.

K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
> General baccalaureat pass rate 2004
> Technology baccalaureat pass rate 2004
Finistère 88.2 %
Local Education
Authority 87.7 %
France 82.5 %
Finistère 86.2 %
Local Education
Authority 86.1 %
France 77.1 %
> Teaching/research staff 2 000
> Pays de Brest student population 28 047
(All post-bac training and education) 2002-2003
UBO 16 762
8 “grandes écoles” 4 000
Other training 5 500
> Apprenticeships 1 785
USEFUL CONTACTS
CAREERS
AND INFORMATION CENTRE
+33 (0)2 98 44 31 74
UNIVERSITÉ DE BRETAGNE
OCCIDENTALE
+33 (0)2 98 01 60 00
UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT
OF CAREERS GUIDANCE
+33 (0)2 98 01 63 17
BREST MÉTROPOLE
OCÉANE – URBAN
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
INFOREM (EMPLOYMENT/TRAI-
NING
LIAISON AGENCY)
+33 (0)2 98 33 55 33
inforem@brest-metropole-oceane.fr
BREST MÉTROPOLE
OCÉANE
RESEARCH TRAINING
+33 (0)2 98 33 53 14
recherche-enseignement
@brest-metropole-oceane.fr
YOUTH INFORMATION
BUREAU
+33 (0)2 98 43 01 08
LOCAL UNIVERSITY AND
SCHOOL PROGRAMMES
+33 (0)2 98 03 38 78

Tourism has developed
as one of the pillars
of the Breton economy
and Brittany is the third
most popular summer
destination
for the French.
Tourism generates
an income in the order
of 4 billion euros.
For the Pays de Brest
alone this represents
350 million euros
and constitutes
a real focus for local
economic diversification.
Tourism
V I S I T O R S T O T H E P A Y S D E B R E S T
> The Brest area caters for visitors seeking a
preserved environment where an outstanding natural
heritage is combined with a wealth of architectural
heritage. The headland of Finistère successfully
promotes a range of tourist assets – distinctive culture,
quality services, varied scenery and untamed nature.
The sea, a wonderfully liberating element, is an everpresent
companion to the land and provides another
dimension to the area.
The Pays de Brest has successfully developed its skills and expertise, training
genuine professionals to offer visitors a better welcome. The Brest labour market has,
in addition, achieved the position of third major tourism employer in Brittany.
The opening up of Europe’s frontiers and quality transport links with Brittany are making
Finistère more and more accessible not only to French visitors but also those from
abroad. The number of foreign visitors to Océanopolis in the summer season
represents one quarter of the overall total.
QUALITÉ
Tourism
DE VIE
A S T R O N G I D E N T I T Y
> Richness and vitality give Breton culture its appeal. Breton culture is
evident in everyday life and not just in museums. Numerous events and
festivals punctuate local life, bringing traditions alive and enabling visitors
to discover a culture with a rich past and a dynamic future. Every day in
every commune there are classes in dance, music and traditional Breton
wrestling.
The huge success of the tall ship rallies, which have
been held every four years since 1992
(Brest 92, Brest 96, Brest 2000 and Brest
2004), is evidence too
of a particular culture.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ERIC HUSSENOT
Director
Océanopolis
X X X X X X X X X X
“The Pays de Brest is a dynamic area
which proclaims its cultural identity through
its traditions. In this way, the Maison
des Vieux Métiers Vivants in Argol, a village
of 750 inhabitants situated in the heart
of the Crozon peninsula, and the “Micherioù
Kozh Ar Vro” association promote the area’s
heritage by preserving and passing on the
knowledge and skills of the past.”
X X X X X X X X X X
There is no doubt that the general public’s image of Brest
is one focussing on the sea and on authenticity.
Hand in hand with authenticity, beauty and impressive coastal
scenery goes expertise at a European and international level
in ocean-related research and knowledge.
The success of Océanopolis, which records almost
500 000 visitors a year, can surely be explained by the fact that
what it offers is in tune with the image of Brest and its area.
GABRIEL LE BRAS
Chairman of the Micherioù Kozh Ar Vro association
Maison des Vieux Métiers Vivants - Argol
A D I V E R S E C U L T U R A L
L I F E
> The architectural heritage also offers a unique richness –
traditional dwellings, religious monuments, manor houses,
megaliths, military buildings, lighthouses and more. There is not
a single village that does not pay attention to its past.
The Château de Brest housing the Musée National de la Marine
(national naval museum), the inhabited bridge at Landerneau,
the abbeys of Saint-Mathieu headland and of Daoulas, the
Folgoët basilica, the Plougastel–Daoulas Calvary cross and the
parish closes represent a huge number of unmissable
attractions for short, high quality cultural breaks. Conserving
and bringing this heritage to life are ongoing tasks led jointly by
local authorities and associations.
> A culture of science and technology is also present in Brest
in the form of two exceptional institutions –
- Océanopolis, a marine discovery park, provides the
opportunity to explore the world’s oceans from pole
to pole via the tropics and the Breton coastline.
Océanopolis welcomes 450 000 visitors each
year to its three pavilions – temperate, tropical
and polar – which combine a scientific
approach and spectacular habitat
reconstructions.
- Le Conservatoire botanique national,
in the heart of a 40-hectare valley, is the
national botanic garden whose mission is to
identify plant species threatened with extinction
which are then gathered for conservation purposes.
It plays a particular role in conserving rare and
endangered species of the Armorica Massif, in housing rare
plants from around the world and, where possible,
in reintroducing rescued species to their native habitat
> Cultural event are far from being a feature of summer alone.
Throughout the year, Daoulas Abbey (a visitors’ centre
introducing other civilisations and cultures) attracts thousands
of visitors to its high quality exhibitions. Le Quartz de Brest,
a national arts venue, offers the very best in a demanding
programme and Le Parc de Penfeld draws in the crowds to
concerts in its 12 000-seater hall. Culture in the Pays de Brest
is widely diffused through the Maison des vieux métiers
(centre for traditional crafts) in Argol, through the visitors’
mineral centre in Crozon, the Musée des phares et balises
(lighthouse and beacon museum on Ouessant) and the Fort
de Berthaume. A particularly active network of associations in
the Pays de Brest plays its part too in the dynamic local culture.
And what a display is put on in summer! A series of events held
every Thursday, “Les Jeudis du Port”, attracts 95 000 spectators
to the Brest quayside for free concerts and all the surrounding
communes advertise widely varying programmes of events.

N A T U R A L A T T R A C T I O N S
> The area around Brest offers a profusion of major sea and
coastal attractions – Saint-Mathieu headland, one of the most
westerly tips of Europe, the Molène/Ouessant archipelago
designated a UNESCO “International Biosphere Reserve” in 1988
(confirming its environment/human activity balance), Brest bay,
an outstanding expanse of 15 000 hectares of water, the “abers”,
coastal rivers whose quiet waters contrast sharply with the ocean,
the fishing village of Meneham and its surroundings and, offshore,
the islands.
On the edge of the Brest urban area,
the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique (Armoric regional park)
stretches from the ancient massif of the Monts d’Arrée as far
as the island of Ouessant and includes the Crozon peninsula,
a landscape featuring in myth and legend. A feasibility project
is currently underway looking at establishing a marine national
park, a sign of the exceptional quality of the Finistère west coast
environment.
W A T E R S P O R T S
> The Pays de Brest above all represents a bay offering a
sheltered location where sailing skills can be learned in
complete safety. The region also takes in the Iroise Sea
providing experienced sailors with the freedom to explore
a remarkable marine environment.
Located in a French region rapidly establishing itself
as one of Europe’s main sailing centres, Brest and its
surrounding area are leading the way with Brittany’s
biggest marina, 10 water sports centres, a centre
of sailing excellence and expertise, a top-level sailing
school and a network of around fifty sailing organisations.
The area around Brest offers both competitive sailing
at the highest level and the opportunity to practise a
whole range of water-based leisure pursuits from surfing,
kitesurfing and windsurfing to sailing in dinghies, kayaks,
cruisers and ocean-going yachts.
Proof of this variety is highlighted by some of Brest’s
renowned inhabitants such as racing yachtsman Olivier
de Kersauzon and Olympic windsurfing champion
Faustine Merret.
M A J O R E V E N T S
> The international sea festivals, Brest 92, Brest 96,
Brest 2000 and Brest 2004, afforded occasions
of great pomp and ceremony. All types of traditional
sailing ships from around Europe’s coasts were
represented and the powerful masts of tall ships
towered over a harbour bustling with smaller
craft. No other event could evoke so
clearly the ceaseless activity
of the major ports during
the era of sail.
B U S I N E S S T O U R I S M
> Le Quartz, Parc des expositions de Penfeld
(Brest), Centre de Mescoat (Landerneau),
Centre de la Mer (Landéda) several hotels and higher
education establishments have the facilities
to accommodate large-scale conferences, symposia
and trade exhibitions. Every year they cater for fifty
national and international conferences involving
a total of more than 78 500 participants.
B R E S T , P O R T O F C A L L F O R
C R U I S E L I N E R S
> In the space of ten years Brest has developed
as a cruise liner port of call. Around a dozen ships
on average call in at the port of Brest every year.

K E Y S T A T I S T I C S
ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY
Tourist beds : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 000
Of which :
*** Hotel rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .678
** Hotel rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 407
Campsite pitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 368
Second homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 845
ANNUAL VISITOR NUMBERS FOR PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS
Océanopolis (Marine discovery park) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .450 000
Le Quartz (Cultural events venue) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205 000
Daoulas Abbey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 000
Naval museum/Brest Château . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 000
Botanic gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 000
Argol traditional crafts museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 391
Crozon minerals museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 725
Ouessant lighthouse and beacon museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 400
Bertheaume Fort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 000
Brest Arsenal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 000
Museum and historic abbey in Landévennec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 930
Tanguy Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 000
Fine Arts Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 000
BUSINESS TOURISM
Days/participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 500
BOATING INDUSTRY
All marinas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 000 moorings
All Olympic classes of sailing championships
Departure point for round-the-world sailing trips
ATTENDANCE FIGURES FOR MAIN EVENTS
Brest 2004 tall ships rally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700 000
Jeudis du Port (Free summer concerts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 000
Festival du Bout du Monde (Music festival) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 000
VISITOR NUMBERS FOR MAJOR NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
Saint-Mathieu headland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 000
Islands (Ouessant, Molène and Sein) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 000
CONSERVATION SITES (FINISTÈRE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 000 ha
TRANSPORT (PASSENGERS/YR)
Brittany Ferries (Roscoff-Plymouth, Roscoff-Cork) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .555 000
USEFUL CONTACTS
PAYS DE BREST
AND BREST LOCAL
TOURIST OFFICE
+33 (0)2 98 44 24 96
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AND INDUSTRY – TOURISM
DEPARTMENT
+33 (0)2 98 00 38 79
PAYS DE LANDERNEAU-
DAOULAS
+33 (0)2 98 85 45 85
adet@adet.fr
PAYS DES ABERS-CÔTE
DES LÉGENDES
+33 (0)2 98 89 78 44
paysabers@wanadoo.fr
PAYS D’IROISE
+33 (0)2 98 84 41 15
pays.iroise@wanadoo.fr
PAYS DU MÉNEZ HOM
ATLANTIQUE
+33 (0)2 98 26 17 18

Pays de Brest
is a land which
naturally looks towards
the ocean and to exchanges
with the world. Working
at an international level
is a daily reality here
facilitated by an effective
communications
infrastructure (see
transport and communications
sheet), a strong
international culture and
numerous partnerships with
abroad.
Open to the world
I N T E R N A T I O N A L L I N K S –
A M A T T E R O F H I S T O R Y A N D C U L T U R E
> A people of explorers and adventurers, the Bretons have a taste for
discovering the world. From Neolithic to Renaissance times, Brittany
saw the flourishing of wealthy companies responsible for strong
trading links with the British Isles, Galicia, Flanders, all of northern
Europe and even the Mediterranean. In Pays de Brest, the “English
houses” in Saint-Renan, Le Conquet and Lanildut testify to these
commercial ties which laid the foundations of Breton wealth in
the 16th century. There used in fact to be a saying that “Brittany
is to France what Peru is to South America”.
Since the 17th century, the whole of the history of Brest and its inhabitants has been
shaped by the presence of the navy: it was from Brest that Bougainville set off in 1766
in search of the southern continent and from Brest in 1785 that La Pérouse set sail
for Bouvet Island.The tradition continues.
Europe is re-opening sea routes and Brest and its surrounding region are enjoying the
dividends: traffic on both sides of the Channel clearly illustrates the rapid growth in crossborder
economic links. Collaborative initiatives promoted by Brittany along the Atlantic
seaboard and an upsurge in cultural exchanges and twinning arrangements with Celtic
countries testify to inter-regional alliances forged in a changing Europe.
Open QUALITÉ
to DE the VIE world
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
> Pays de Brest businesses compete as equals in international markets. Laïta exports its dairy produce to around
fifty countries whilst Doux chickens are to be found throughout the world. Alcatel autoswitches are bought by over
one hundred and twenty countries, as are Cabasse audio speakers. SDMO
generator manufacturers are known worldwide. EGMO anti-pollution barges
have a proven track record wherever hydrocarbon pollution has occurred.
Coopagri Bretagne earns 25% of its turnover in exports of flagship foods and
animal nutrition products and in specialist distribution under a series of
brand names retailing in over 60 countries (Paysan Breton, Magasin Vert,
etc.). The greenhouse growers of Savéol, leading French tomato producer
and architects of the re-launch of the world-renowned Plougastel strawberry,
are born and bred in Pays de Brest.
In addition, foreign companies and groups have chosen Pays de Brest to
locate their businesses. These include Autocruise, the Swedish Corrosion
Institute, Jabil Circuit, Autoliv, Livbag, Cargill and Degussa Texturant
Systems.

PETER AUSTEN
Autocruise
Autocruise SA produces radar support systems for cars,
lorries and buses. These radar systems contribute to road
safety by automatically adjusting the minimum safety
distance between vehicles in motion.
We target all vehicle manufacturers worldwide. Our
customers at present are Swedish, German and American.
Our product therefore travels to the four corners of the globe
on board their vehicles. We are currently exploring markets
in Japan, Korea, France, Netherlands, Spain and Italy. The
nature of the product, however, necessitates lengthy
negotiations prior to any positive outcome.
Our components are for the most part manufactured
in France, in Brittany in fact, and 100% of our sales
are exported from our Plouzané factory.
CHRISTOPHE CABASSE
Export director with Cabasse
After 8 years of exporting from the Paris region, I joined our
Brest head office on the opening of a Guipavas-Roissy
service by Brit Air. Since then the export team has doubled,
as has turnover. We have established an on-site team with
language skills (we work in 4 languages) and technical
expertise in marketing and logistics. When setting up our
American subsidiary and after searching far and wide,
it was in Finistère that we found the international experience
we were looking for. Global industrial partnerships further
strengthen our international network.
As for relocating our business in 2003 to the Pointe du
Diable headland in Plouzané, the site perfectly showcases
our quest for absolute and true live sound reproduction.
I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E S
> Every year Pays de Brest hosts several international conferences
attracted by the area’s business and research potential and by the
quality of the conference facilities on offer. Such events include
world conferences on the science and technology of the sea –
Ocean’s 1994 and 2005, Isope 99, Sea Tech Week 2000, 2002, 2004
and Safer Seas – and on new technology – Brasage Technologies,
Turbocodes, ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems), etc.
C O N F E R E N C E
OF EUROPEAN PERIPHERAL CITY PORTS
> The conference was initiated by Brest with the aim of providing
peripheral maritime cities, some of which had been involved long-
term in twinning arrangements and were facing similar social and
economic constraints, with a means for joint discussion and action.
In 1992, under the leadership of the city of Brest, the first peripheral
city ports conference brought together representatives from Cadiz,
Den Helder, Plymouth and Tarento. In 1994, Constanza, Dun
Laoghaire, Kiel and the Norte/Porto region joined the conference
and in 1997, it was the turn of Gdynia and Klaipeda to take part.
The work of the conference strengthens the cities’ mission to reclaim
their maritime dimension and to diversify their economies. The
conference meets once a year for a General Meeting. Its core work
focuses on three types of activity:
- Discussion seminars for sharing experience and good practice,
- Devising and implementing European projects,
- Formulating opinions on key European policy issues.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O - O P E R A T I O N
> Long-lasting relationships established with foreign partners have resulted in numerous economic development projects.
Examples include the special relationship between Brest and Denver centred on opto-electronics, the association between Brest
and Kiel in the context of the Interreg IIIC European project for the creation of an inter-regional maritime cluster, the co-operation
between Brest, Cadiz, Tarento and Constanza as part of an Interreg IIIC programme of risk management and environmental
protection and also the organisation in Brest of an international conference on intelligent transport systems with researchers from
Yokosuka.
The willingness of Pays de Brest to learn more about the daily lives of citizens in other countries, to discuss and share experiences
with them as well as to develop joint projects focusing on issues of common interest such as cultural difference or European
opinion has led the area to develop co-operative links with Yokosuka, Kiel, Cadiz, Tarento, Plymouth, Denver and Dun
Laoghaire. China has been involved in various cultural, university, scientific, economic, sporting and
institutional initiatives organised in collaboration with the city of Qingdao. Such co-operative programmes
are primarily based around exchanges of school pupils and sports clubs or cultural activities. They reinforce
the development of the concept of European citizenship as projected by the “Maison de l’Europe” (centre for
European information and affairs).
Pays de Brest is involved in decentralised co-operation bringing together local authorities and developing countries
in order to place peace and development on the same agenda. Campaigns are organised in support of Burkina
Faso among other countries.
R E S E A R C H – H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N
> Numerous research bodies and training establishments have achieved recognition at a national level and beyond. Examples include
the widely influential bodies Ifremer and Cedre through their participation in UN, NATO and IMO working groups. Ifremer
is member of the World Marine Society which brings together international scientists. Ifremer, Cedre and the university also play
an active part in European research programmes.
Catering for foreign students
> The Université de Bretagne occidentale (University of west Brittany) caters for 1 200 foreign students, a figure which has doubled in
four years.
> The Institut universitaire européen de la mer (European university institute of the sea) is a postgraduate institution offering
marine science courses to top French and European students. It is developing partnership links with European
oceanography research centres.
> The Centre européen de documentation de la mer (European maritime studies resources centre) has a highspeed
data resource network linked to partner centres in Plymouth, Southampton, Bremerhaven, etc.
> The Centre international d’études de langues (Ciel – International centre for language
studies), a division of Brest chamber of commerce and industry, caters for foreign students
who wish to learn French.
> All Brest higher education establishments are committed to implementing a welldeveloped
international relations policy. They provide organisational support for student
relocation with the aim of establishing diploma equivalence with their European counterparts.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S O L I D A R I T Y
> Associations and organisations in Pays de Brest demonstrate a breadth and level of activity which reflect both
the investment in and commitment to life in the region by many elected representatives and volunteers and the
work of international solidarity groups. These activists participate at every level from organising campaigns and
support for developing countries (Ukraine, Palestine, India, Cambodia, Djibouti and Rwanda) to participating in
raising awareness of international solidarity initiatives among the population of Pays de Brest (e.g. leading
consultation meetings such as the commission for solidarity and the international solidarity forum, organising new
horizons film week and the international solidarity march, etc.).
USEFUL CONTACTS
BREST URBAN COMMUNITY
COUNCIL – EUROPEAN AND
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT
+33 (0)2 98 33 55 35
relations-internationales@brestmetropole-oceane.fr
BREST CHAMBER OF COM-
MERCE AND INDUSTRY – PORT
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
+33 (0)2 98 00 38 00
info@cci-brest.fr
BREST TWINNING INITIATIVE
+33 (0)2 98 46 51 52
brest.jumelages@infini.fr
CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN
INFORMATION AND AFFAIRS
+33 (0)2 98 46 60 09

These companies
are familiar because they
enjoy an international
reputation. Their brands
are familiar because they
play a prominent role in
everyday life and their
products are familiar
because they are associated
with quality. Along with
many others, the following
companies have in some way
packaged and branded
expertise and creativity.
Iconic brands
THALES
LIVBAG
EVEN
MAMIE NOVA
SDMO
ALCATEL
L’IFREMER
CABASSE
LA MARINE
NATIONALE
DCN
CMB-ARKEA
An international group working in electronics and electronic systems in the
defence, aeronautics and security industries, Thales employs 1 650 people
on the Technopôle Brest-Iroise site.
www.thalesgroup.com
Currently employing 1 250 people, Livbag specialises in the design,
development and manufacture of gas generators for airbags. Based at
Pont-de-Buis, the company has grown rapidly producing front and side
airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, etc. Since the beginning of the 1990s this
market has seen significant, ongoing expansion. As one of France’s leading
companies, Livbag designs, develops and produces 30 million gas
generators each year. www.autoliv.com
“Mamie Nova”, the best-known “grandma” in France (95% brand awareness),
is from Brittany. Based in Ploudaniel, the Even Group employs
420 people. www.even.fr
Founded in Brest in 1966, the SDMO company, whose products retail in over
150 countries, is one of the leading constructors in the world of electric
generators. SDMO employs 700 people.
www.sdmo.com
Alcatel’s site specialises in the manufacture of private telephone exchanges.
Its mission is to design communication solutions for commercial companies
using a global network of telecommunications carriers. www.alcatel.fr
Europe’s biggest multi-disciplinary research centre devoted to the sea
employs 600 people at the "Pointe du Diable" site in Plouzané working in the
following fields – coastal environmental management, oceanography vessels
and undersea operations, living resources and marine technology and
information systems. www.ifremer.fr
The major players
in Pays de Brest –
already household names…
Cabasse, the major name in audio speakers, has established its Acoustic
Center on the Technopôle Brest Iroise site. All Cabasse products are
conceived overlooking the Atlantic ocean at the western tip of Brittany, land
of navigators, researchers and musicians attuned to worlds beyond their
shores. www.cabasse.com
The French national navy has historic links with Brest and employs
15 000 people making it a major regional economic player. Brest is the site of
FOST (strategic naval force) command headquarters.
www.defense.gouv.fr/marine
DCN is the European leader in naval shipbuilding, employing 3 200 people
in its Brest yards in the operational maintenance of FOST submarines,
maintenance and upgrading of surface vessels, naval support and logistics
and development and construction of heavy tonnage ships (aircraft carriers,
command and control vessels, etc). www.dcn.fr
The Crédit Mutuel-Arkéa Group, second largest banking and finance group in
France and leading group in western France, is based at Le Relecq-Kerhuon
and employs 6 680 staff. www.cmb.fr

KANABEACH
COOPAGRI
SAVÉOL
LAÏTA
PAYSAN BRETON
OCÉANOPOLIS
SOBRENA
EURODIF
LA BRIOCHE
DORÉE
Over 17 years this small Breton
company in Locmaria-Plouzané has
become a modern business which is
growing its overseas operations.
KanaBeach now occupies a
significant position in the clothing
market for 15-25 year-olds.
www.kanabeach.com
Coopagri Bretagne grew out the
“Office Central” founded in
Landerneau in 1911 and today
processes and markets its members’
produce – milk, vegetables, pork,
beef, poultry, ready cooked meals and
eggs – under French and European
brand names (Paysan Breton, Valtéro,
etc.).
www.coopagri-bretagne.com
Savéol, leading French tomato
producer (68 000 t), is dedicated to
environmentally friendly cultivation.
Whilst the tomato is the brand’s
flagship produce, the group also
grows cucumbers, peppers, shallots,
strawberries and flowers.
www.saveol.com
Situated in Brest, Laïta is responsible
for marketing 73 000 t of dairy
products in over 70 countries.
Paysan Breton is one of the group’s
flagship brands.
www.laita.com
The ocean discovery
leisure park welcomes
500 000 visitors a year. It is the
showcase for what is Europe’s
capital of oceanography.
www.oceanopolis.com
Sobrena, a subsidiary of the Meunier
Group, has since its founding in 1987
worked its way to the top of the ship
repair industry in France. With three
types of dry dock available in Brest
commercial harbour (up to 420 m
long x 80 m wide), Sobrena caters for
all types of vessels from around the
world. An important part of its activity
centres on high-tech vessels such as
shuttle tankers and LNG carriers
(ships of between 270 and
290 m long).
www.sobrena.com
A subsidiary of the Omnium Group
based in Brest and also trading
under the Burton and Bouchara
brands, the Eurodif trademark
specialises in men’s, women’s and
children’s fashions and interior
furnishing accessories. It has
90 stores across France.
www.eurodif.com
La Brioche Dorée, founded in Brest
in 1976, belongs to Le Duff Group
and is considered one of the most
spectacular franchise successes
(390 outlets and 2 900 employees
in 13 countries). www.le-duff.com.

E. LECLERC
LE TÉLÉGRAMME
IXSEA
ECA
AUTOCRUISE
SERCEL
EMPREINTE
L’INSTITUT
DE LA CORROSION
Founded in Landerneau in 1949, this supermarket retailer has developed throughout France and abroad
and now has a total of 391 hypermarkets, 31 supermarkets and 39 specialist shops employing
73 000 staff. www.e-leclerc.com
Brittany’s daily newspaper, Le Télégramme, was named for the third year running as “best regional
daily newspaper in France”. Large enough to produce 17 different publications, Le Télégramme serves
a readership of over half a million and plays its part in the economic development of Brittany.
www.bretagne-online.com
IXSEA is a world leader in marine acoustics positioning systems and is based at the Technopôle
Brest-Iroise. www.ixsea.com
ECA designs and produces high-tech automated systems and industrial products adapted to difficult
and hostile environments for use in the defence and civil sectors. Products include teleoperated and
remote-controlled robots such as the Alistar 3000, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for deepsea
inspection work developed in Brest as part of the Haliod programme in collaboration with the
Technopôle Brest-Iroise. www.eca.fr
A young technology company and subsidiary of the American company TWR, Autocruise is
entirely devoted to the development and manufacture of automotive radar safety systems
(ACC – Adaptive Cruise Control). www.autocruise.net
Sercel undersea acoustics division carries out research, development and marketing of undersea
acoustics systems and equipment and maritime instrumentation.
www.sercel.com
Empreinte and Brest have a shared history going back 60 years! Specialising in lingerie for
the fuller figure, Empreinte cultivates its image as a brand with a tradition of quality and exports its
lingerie creations and swimwear to numerous countries. www.empreinte.fr
Major brands and products
in Pays de Brest
JABIL
SILL
LE COMPTOIR
IRLANDAIS
HUITRES
DE PRAT-AR-COUM
ATLANTIDE
European leader in the field of corrosion, this subsidiary of the Swedish Corrosion Institute
based in Brest since 2002 carries out research and testing relating to corrosion and deterioration
of materials. www.institut-corrosion.fr
Recognised as a leading electronics sub-contractor, Jabil is based in north and south America,
Europe and Asia. Jabil Circuit Brest offers tailored global solutions from product design to logistics
in the following major sectors – multimedia, medical, aeronautics, telecommunications and industrial
facilities.
Founded in Plouvien in 1962, SILL offers a vast range of products – dairy, fruit juice, soups and
ready-made meals. Its company slogan is "La Bretagne comme port d'attache, le monde comme
horizon“ (Based in Brittany, bound for the world). www.sill-entreprises.com
Created in Brest in 1987, Le Comptoir Irlandais has 37 retail outlets and a central warehousing facility
of 2 500 m_ at Landerneau. It offers a tempting array of Irish products to discover – range of
whiskies, foodstuffs, textiles and gift ideas. www.comptoir-irlandais.com
One of the great seafood classics first farmed in the Abers of Brittany in 1898, the Prat–Ar-Coum
oyster, winner of top gastronomic awards, is served at the finest tables in Europe.
www.prat-ar-coum.fr
Atlantide is an engineering and consultancy firm which since its founding in 1984 has put technological
innovation in informatics, electronics, telecommunications and scientific projects at the heart
of its company culture providing services in the following three fields –
- Information and communication technology,
- Science and technology of the sea,
- Industry (telecommunications, transport and energy).
www.ago.fr
PRAT AR COUM

ENST
BRETAGNE
LE SHOM
LE CEDRE
L’ÉCOLE
NAVALE
LE
TECHNOPÔLE
BREST-IROISE
L’UBO
L’ENSIETA
L’IPEV
L’IRD
L’ESC
BRETAGNE
BREST
LE CERV
The Ecole nationale supérieure des télécommunications de Bretagne
(National advanced telecommunications college of Brittany) is both a
selective higher education institute (19 diploma courses) and an international
research centre in the field of information technology. www.enst-bretagne.fr
The Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (French
naval hydrography and oceanography service) is part of France’s navy and
has a history going back almost three hundred years. It fulfils a dual role
serving the public sector and supporting the navy. Today SHOM uses the
most advanced techniques for obtaining and processing information.
www.shom.fr
Cedre was created in 1978 following the shipwreck of the oil tanker, “Amoco
Cadiz” and has nationwide responsibilities for documentation, research and
experimentation relating to pollutants, their effects and specialist methods
used to combat both sea and inland water pollution. www.le-cedre.fr
Situated at Lanveoc-Poulmic, the Ecole navale is the training college for naval
officers and also a higher education institute for engineers, a research
institute (IRENAV), a military academy for the fleet and a college of tactics
and navigation. www.ecole-navale.fr
The Technopôle Brest Iroise is an economic development tool devoted to
innovation and enterprise. It is developing interest-based networks involving
relevant economic players focusing on three areas of expertise – the sea,
information science and technology and life sciences. It provides ongoing
support in the creation and development of innovative businesses in the
region. www.tech-brest-iroise.fr
The multi-disciplinary Université de Bretagne Occidentale (University of west
Brittany) provides quality higher education. Alongside “classic” courses of
study, it offers professional development courses set within the economic
context of the region and, in particular, in marine-related fields. Today over 17
000 students pursue their studies within its 21 academic divisions spread
over 3 campuses in Brest, Quimper and Morlaix.
www.univ-brest.fr
Located in Brest, ENSIETA trains civil and military engineers able to design
and produce complex industrial systems relating primarily to electronics,
informatics, mechanics and pyrotechnics. It also offers open optional
courses on the science and technology of the sea (naval architecture,
off-shore operations and hydrography). www.ensieta.fr
The Paul Emile Victor French Polar Research Institute is an agency
facilitating polar research in association with national laboratories attached to
scientific research institutions – universities, the CNRS, CEA, INRA, etc. Its
primary objective is the implementation of scientific research programmes in
polar and sub-polar regions in both hemispheres as well as oceanographic
research programmes. www.ifremer.fr/ifrtp
The Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD – Institute for
research into development) is a public sector science and technology
institute which leads research into the relationship between man and the
environment in countries of the southern hemisphere with the aim of
contributing to their development. The scientific focus of its Brest division
located on the Ifremer campus is mainly centred on the marine sciences –
tropical climatology, coastal and deep-water oceanography, modelling,
undersea acoustics, sclerochronology and fishing. www.brest.ird.f
A higher education commercial institute founded in 1962, the Ecole
Supérieure de Commerce de Bretagne Brest has been working for over
40 years to help 650 students per year achieve personal and professional
success. 15 course programmes are offered including the selective ESC
Grande Ecole, a general Masters-level management studies programme.
www.esc-brest.fr
The Centre Européen de Réalité Virtuelle (European centre for virtual reality)
is a public sector research centre of the Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de
Brest (Brest advanced engineering institute). It has been operational since
2004 and occupies 2000 m_ premises on the Technopôle Brest-Iroise site. In
Brest it forms part of an Information and Communication Science and
Technology (ICST) initiative and constitutes a European-focused centre
of excellence in virtual reality. www.cerv.fr
USEFUL CONTACTS
CONTACTS UTILES
BREST URBAN
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
+33 (0)2 98 33 52 49
promo-evenements@brest-metropole-oceane.fr
BREST CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
+33 (0)2 98 00 38 00
info@cci-brest.fr