The Pont de Recouvrance spans the Penfeld river where it meets the main harbour, linking the civilian left bank with the Recouvrance neighbourhood on the right. It is one of the visual landmarks of the city — a large industrial structure of functional beauty, with two concrete towers rising above the waterline and a central span that lifts vertically to allow passage of naval vessels.
The bridge was built as part of the postwar reconstruction of Brest and replaced a pedestrian swing bridge. Watching the span rise is worth timing if you are visiting the area — lifts happen when vessels need to pass, which is more frequent than you might expect in an active naval base. The bridge also provides the best viewing angle on the château across the harbour.