Roadstead of Brest | |
---|---|
Location | Iroise Sea, Atlantic Ocean |
Coordinates | 48°20′02″N 4°28′47″W / 48.33389°N 4.47972°W |
Type | roadstead |
Basin countries | France |
Max. length | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
Max. width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
Surface area | 180 km2 (69 sq mi) |
The roadstead of Brest (French: rade de Brest, French pronunciation: [ʁad də bʁɛst]; Breton: Lenn-vor Brest) is a roadstead or bay located in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. The surface area is about 180 km² (70 sq mi). The port of Brest and one of the two French naval bases, Brest Arsenal, are located on its northern edge. It is linked to the Atlantic Ocean (called the Iroise Sea at this point) by the Goulet de Brest, a strait about 1.8 km wide. Three main rivers drain into the roadstead: the Penfeld (the town of Brest and the first buildings of the naval base were built on its banks), the Élorn (or river of Landerneau) and the Aulne (or river of Châteaulin).