Pointe des Espagnols

#157 among destinations in France

Forts and castles, View point

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Facts and practical information

Pointe des Espagnols, located in Roscanvel, France, is a promontory known for its historical fortifications that once played a crucial role in the defense of the Brest harbor. This strategic point, overlooking the entry to the harbor, has been fortified since the 17th century when France was under the reign of Louis XIV.

The fortifications were constructed as part of a larger network of military installations designed by the famous military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, who revolutionized the art of siegecraft and defensive fortifications. The Pointe des Espagnols was named after Spanish troops who landed there in 1594 during the French Wars of Religion.

Today, the remnants of the fort provide visitors with a tangible link to the past, showcasing the once-imposing walls and gun emplacements that safeguarded the French coastline. The site offers a panoramic view of the Brest harbor and the surrounding seascape, making it a popular spot for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 48°20'28"N, 4°32'2"W

Location

Route de la pointeRoscanvel BrittanyFrance

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Day trips

Pointe des Espagnols – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Château de Brest, Tour Tanguy, Portzic Lighthouse, Fort de Portzic.

3.3 miNE
Museum, Historical place, History museum
Château de Brest, Brest
84 min walk • The Château de Brest is a historic fortress that stands as a sentinel at the mouth of the Penfeld river in the city of Brest, France. With origins dating back to the Roman times, this castle is renowned for being one of the oldest in the world still in use, and its...
3.4 miNE
Museum, Historical place
Tour Tanguy, Brest
86 min walk • Perched on the edge of the Penfeld river in Brest, France, the Tour Tanguy commands attention with its medieval allure and its role as a silent witness to the city's tumultuous history. This historic tower, now functioning as a museum, offers visitors a glimpse into...
1.2 miN
Lighthouse, Vernacular architecture
Portzic Lighthouse, Brest
31 min walk • The Portzic Lighthouse is situated on the north-eastern extremity of the Goulet de Brest and is the nearest lighthouse to the town of Brest. It is a 35 metres tall octagonal tower. On the seaward side of the bottleneck entrance to the goulet, the lighthouse faces the Pointe des Espagnols.
1.2 miN
Forts and castles
Fort de Portzic, Brest
30 min walk • The Fort de Portzic was built near the town of Brest by Vauban between 1693 and 1699 as part of the defences of the goulet de Brest.
3.3 miN
Music venue, Nightlife, Arenas and stadiums
Brest Arena, Brest
84 min walk • Brest Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Brest, France. Its tenant is Brest Bretagne Handball.
1.7 miNW
Forts and castles
Fort du Dellec, Plouzané
44 min walk • Forming part of the chain of fortifications along the goulet de Brest, the fort du Dellec was built by Vauban in the 17th century, then rebuilt several times, notably in the 19th century when casemates were added for barracks and munitions storage.
2.6 miN
Military museum, Forts and castles, Museum
Fort Montbarey, Brest
68 min walk • The Fort Montbarey is a fortified stronghold, built between 1777 and 1784, to the west of Brest. The fort is similar to the related Questel Fort.
2.5 miW
Forts and castles
Fort du Mengant
64 min walk • The fort du Mengant or fort du Léon in the commune of Plouzané is part of the defences of the roadstead of Brest. It is made up of a high battery, with a now-destroyed artillery tower, and a lower semi-circular battery at the foot of the cliff, with two small powder magazines.
3 miSW
Area
Îlot du Diable, Roscanvel
77 min walk • Îlot du Diable is a gun battery built to support fort de la Fraternité in the defensive system around the goulet de Brest in France. It is sited on the peninsula of Roscanvel and is accessible by a small bridge. The battery was razed in the 19th century, and in 1890 on its site was built a bunker with an electricity generator.
2.3 miSW
Forts and castles
Kerviniou Batteries
58 min walk • The batteries de Kerviniou are artillery batteries built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and are made up of an upper battery and an underground...
2.9 miSW
Ruins
Fort de la Fraternité
75 min walk • The Fort de la Fraternité is a fort located on the îlot du Diable in Roscanvel, France. The whole complex is now in ruins, though a gunpowder magazine is still standing, with a roof of large rectangular tiles and elaborate guttering.