Brest's Beautiful Coastline

Discover the splendid, unspoiled beauty of La Pointe St. Mathieu, a headland located at the westernmost point of mainland France. Overlooking an extremely important, strategic stretch of coast connecting the Atlantic to the Bay of Brest, it boasts dramatic views, historic buildings and an intriguing legend. Once you arrive at the far west end of Brittany, you'll walk in the shadow of the 183-foot-high lighthouse and take in the stunning scenery. Built in 1835, the nearby signal station dates from 1906. The ruins of the Abbaye Saint-Mathieu de Fine-Terre, erected on the edge of the 65-foot-high cliffs gives the cape its name. According to tradition, Breton sailors brought the skull of St. Matthew from Ethiopia to the Benedictine abbey that was built on this spot in the 6th century.