Les Ateliers des Capucins, an XXL third-party workplace in Brest
It's a unique place in Brest, a giant public square teeming with ideas, activities and creativity. Visit Ateliers des Capucins invite everyone to come and discover, move around and have fun. A real driving force behind Brest's intergenerational dynamism, this place steeped in history is a must-see during your stay!
Les Ateliers des Capucins
Over 300 years of history
More than just a third place, the Ateliers des Capucins represent a whole part of Brest's history. The foundation stone was laid by Vauban in 1695 for the construction of a convent. A century later, after the Revolution, the land was ceded to the French Navy, which built a barracks for apprentice gunners.
1840, the Industrial Revolution: the Ateliers des Capucins expanded to house foundries, boiler works, machining, assembly, fitting and electrical workshops for the manufacture and repair of ships for the French Navy.
At its peak, in 1878, 1,800 workers were employed on a daily basis. The workshops continued to operate after the Second World War, although it took 10 years to rebuild everything after the bombings.
Did you know?
300 years of history summed up in 2 hours!
Step back in time to the origins of the Ateliers des Capucins with a guided tour from the Tourist Office.
Europe's largest covered public square!
The Navy's machine tools gradually left the workshops until 2004, the year of a new life for the site and heralding a renewal for the city of Brest. Since 2016, Ateliers des Capucins has been a a 16-hectare, XXL-scale third-location center just a stone's throw from downtown BrestThe site has been redeveloped for public use, while retaining the industrial character that is part of its history.
Here, in a relaxed atmosphere, you can learn, have fun, enjoy yourself, be surprised, create, dream, escape, get together... In short, you'll feel right at home!
Open and freely accessible 7 days a week from 10am to midnight or 1amIt's a place for everyone, where there's always something going on.
Our advice
To fully appreciate the grandeur of the site, take a step up to the Passage des Arpètes. You'll be able to contemplate the immense 10,000 m² Place des machines!
Cultivating
Among the "Ateliers des Capucins "room-matesinclude the Médiathèque François Mitterrand, a theater, and soon a cinema.. It is also here that Le Fourneau, the national center for street arts and public spaces, will soon be taking up residence.
Don't miss the 70.8the oceans gallery: a genuine for young and old to understand the oceans to understand the oceans, discover their resources and the ecological challenges they present. A fascinating visit, to be combined with that ofOcéanopolis.
You won't want to miss the imposing and majestic Emperor's Canoewhich, in 1810, took Napoleon I to the port of Antwerp.
Take the time to admire all the details, or, even better, enjoy a theatrical flash visit offered by the Musée National de la Marine to immerse yourself in the history of this luxurious vessel.
Feel like singing a song?
A piano is available on the Passage des Arpètes. Now's the time to showcase your musical talents, and who knows, maybe the start of a career?
Having fun
The Place des Machines is like a huge indoor public park. Sitting on a bench, you can watch the ballet of skates, scooters and rollerblades.
But the place also offers 2 unusual roommates for fun with family and friends:
Illucitya virtual reality adventure park, and Climb Upa climbing gym where you can test your resistance to vertigo.
Shop and enjoy
In between discoveries, relax and enjoy a fine coffee from Brûlerie du Léon or a carefully selected beer from the En Bières Inconnues microbrewery . You can even nibble on a snack or enjoy a meat dish at La Fabrik 1801 steakhouse.
As for shopping, Lalibee créations offers a selection of handcrafted creations and objets d'art, each more original than the last. Young and old alike will also enjoy strolling through the Curiosités de Dialogues to pick up a book, a vinyl, a board game or some pretty stationery.
Year-round events
Every day, there's something going on at Les Ateliers des Capucins, and that's what makes it such a lively a lively, multicultural and intergenerational place..
Exhibitions, shows, visits, sporting events :
its eclectic program invites encounters, exchanges and openness to the world.
Did you know?
It's not unusual to witness an improvised dance rehearsal in the middle of the Place des Machines.
From surprise to surprise: that's Les Ateliers des Capucins!
A breathtaking view of the harbour
From the belvedere, admire the view view of the Recouvrance bridge and watch the military come and go on the Penfeld.
And for an even better view, come to the Ateliers des Capucins by cable car !
Still a little time to discover Brest and the Capucins district?
Go to rue de Saint-Malo, one of Brest's oldest streets, which was spared the bombardments of the Second World War.
Les Ateliers des Capucins is located in the heart of the metropolis: