Brest

Brest, 1858. 'Brest, a well-known seaport, the chief station of the French marine, and one of the best harbours in Europe, is situated on a bay on the west coast of Brittany, in the department of Finisterre. Brest was an insignificant village until 1631. It was subsequently fortified and received the privileges of a city...The harbour, situated between the suburb and the town, is in the form of a long canal, and is capable of containing sixteen ships of the first and second rank, twenty-four of the third, and sixteen of the fourth, with twenty-six fire-ships and other small vessels. On a steep rock at the entrance stands the citadel, which is defended towards the land by strong outworks. Opposite to it is a stately tower, which serves, with the citadel and several batteries, to protect the harbour. The principal public buildings and objects of curiosity in the town are the barracks, ropewalks, cloth manufactories, forges, and foundries; the immense naval arsenal and dockyard; the two quays which encompass the harbour; the house of correction and the winter lodging of the galley slaves; the hospital, the theatre, the two marine academies...and the fine walk called "Le Fours." Its population is nearly 30,000'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)