Moving to Brest (Brittany): Costs Process & Districts
From Berlin to Brest
Moving to Brest: the Rade, the Penfeld and Recouvrance
Guide
Brest is a port city in the Finistère department in Brittany and, with around 142,000 residents, the westernmost city in the European part of France. Thanks to its sheltered position on the Rade de Brest (roadstead) and the mouth of the Penfeld, Brest has been a naval port for centuries and is today the base of the French Atlantic fleet. The Rue de Siam is the main street, and the Pont de Recouvrance lift bridge spans the Penfeld. Anyone planning a move to Brest covers the longest route from Berlin that we drive in France.
We come from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive the lorry around 1,590 km through Belgium, Normandy and along the N12 to Brest. That is about 24 hours of pure driving and break time; with the mandatory rest periods the journey takes two to three days. Because Germany and France are both in the EU, there are no customs formalities for your household goods. We quote the fixed price after a survey, also for the route from Brest back to Berlin. Read more about paperwork in the guide Moving to France.
A fixed price for your move to Brest – request a survey
Survey, fixed price, fixed date
Call us on 01625978461 and arrange a survey for your move to Brest. We take into account the size of the flat, floor, access, the around 1,590 km route and any wish for a shared load, and then quote you a fixed price. Places with their own pages can be found under Locations.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
What we take care of when you move to Brest
Planning from Berlin, arrival on the Atlantic
We have no branch in Brest; we come by lorry from Berlin-Moabit. That is why we ask about access, floor and stairwell in advance – whether a period building around the Rue de Siam, a flat in Recouvrance or a house in Lambézellec. We apply in good time for the permit to stop outside the new address, following the City of Brest's rules. We quote the fixed price after the survey; for your belongings we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. For your private move we coordinate the date with the handover of the flat.
Packing Service
Office Move
Senior Move
Furniture Transport
Well planned to Brest
We quote the fixed price for your move to Brest after the survey – with packing, transport over around 1,590 km, parking permit and assembly as separate items. That way you can see in advance what you are paying for.
Fixed arrival time
Access sorted
Parking outside the door
Planned backwards
Storage if there is a gap
Ready to move in
Little to move? Part load!
For smaller volumes or single items, a shared load to Brest can be cheaper: your belongings share the load space with other consignments on the same route. For this you need some flexibility on the delivery day; we will tell you after your enquiry whether a tour towards Brest is currently a good fit. This is also handy if a few items are to follow after the main move.
From
planning to assembly
A move to Brest raises many questions: which district suits you, how does the lorry get into the streets of Siam or Recouvrance, which permit do you need from the Mairie (town hall) and how do you report your new address? This guide introduces districts from the centre via Recouvrance to Lambézellec, explains the permit, change of address and registration for EU citizens, and describes the around 1,590 km drive from Berlin through Belgium and Normandy. Costs, shared loads, climate and leisure are covered too. That way you are prepared before the first box is packed.
Planning safe and relaxed
Furniture, boxes, transport routes
Costs, timing and special cases
Frequently asked questions about moving to Brest
Brest's districts at a glance
Brest is divided into districts with their own character: the centre around the Rue de Siam offers shops, cafés and short distances; the city centre was largely rebuilt after the Second World War. Recouvrance on the other side of the Penfeld, reached via the Pont de Recouvrance, has a maritime feel; the Ateliers des Capucins on a former shipyard site are also here.
Lambézellec in the north is a district in its own right with the church of St-Laurent, and Bellevue lies near the university. Other districts are Saint-Pierre, Saint-Marc and Kerinou. We do not give specific rents. Which district suits you depends on your commute, budget and type of home; for the move, what counts is access, the floor and the stairs.
Housing market, employers and quality of life in Brest
We do not give specific rents – they depend heavily on district, size and condition; compared with Paris, living in Brest is considered cheaper. As the base of the French Atlantic fleet, the navy is a defining employer, along with the port, marine research, the university hospital and the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO) with the Brest Business School.
Quality of life benefits from the oceanic climate, the proximity to beaches on the Finistère coast and culture such as the Océanopolis ocean discovery centre with 42 aquariums or the Ateliers des Capucins. Many newcomers appreciate the short distances and relaxed way of life. In France there is no general obligation to register your address as in Germany; you report your new address online to several bodies at once.
Your move – your price
Every move is different – which is why our prices are based on the size of the flat: 1 room from €375, 2 rooms from €615, 3 rooms from €909 and 4 rooms from €1,269. For houses and villas we prepare an individual quote. If you are moving to another city, we charge long-distance moves from €3.90/km. Arrange a free survey today.
What affects the costs of your move?
The main cost drivers include the volume of your household goods and the distance, which is charged from €3.90/km. The floor and lift also have an effect – without a lift the effort increases considerably. A parking restriction zone can also be sensible. We additionally offer furniture assembly and a shared load.
Our expertise for your move
You can book these services for your move to Brest individually or together.
Furniture transport: Heavy and bulky furniture is no problem either. Furniture transport
Private move: The stress-free way into your new home. Private move
Shared load: Environmentally friendly and affordable transport. Shared load
House clearance: We free up space. House clearance
Company relocation: Your business moves without downtime. Company relocation
Move with assembly: Complete assembly and dismantling included. Move with assembly
More routes from Berlin
We plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) for private and business customers. In the locations overview you will find places with their own pages, and details on longer routes under long-distance moves. For single pieces of furniture or small loads, take a look at our shared-load service.
Brest: a space for the removal van and the permission de voirie
If you need a space outside the front door for the removal van in Brest, contact the city administration (Mairie). On its page about the permission de voirie (permit to use the public highway), the City of Brest explains that use of public space – pavement, carriageway or parking spaces – must be authorised. According to the city, the permit is valid for one month at most and can only be extended once. It is personal and may not be lent, rented out or transferred. In paid parking zones the city also charges a fee (redevance) for the blocked spaces.
The page cited gives works in public space as an example; we did not find a separate page for removal vans on the city's website. So ask the Mairie directly about deadlines and costs for your case. Have the following ready beforehand:
- street and house number of the loading and unloading point
- date and time of the move
- the length the removal van needs outside the building
During the free survey we clarify access, the carrying route and floor with you and coordinate the moving date with your permit. How a move abroad works is explained under International move and in the guide to long-distance moves to France.
Brest after the move: the centre, Recouvrance and change of address
The centre around the Rue de Siam and Recouvrance lie on opposite sides of the Penfeld. That is why we plan the approach for each address individually: where can the removal van stop, how long is the carrying route, is there a lift or is a furniture lift needed? We confirm the local parking rules with the Mairie in advance.
After arrival you report your new address. The government online service on service-public.gouv.fr (Changement d'adresse) notifies several bodies at once with one report, including the tax administration, the family allowance fund Caf, the health insurance fund CPAM, vehicle registration (SIV) and the energy suppliers EDF and Enercoop. The service is free of charge, according to the site open regardless of nationality, and only available in French. If you are returning to France from abroad, you cannot use it to report your return.
For EU citizens the following also applies: after three months, according to Your Europe, registration with the relevant authority may be required, usually at the town hall or the local police station. Bring your ID card or passport and, depending on your status, proof such as an employment certificate or proof of health insurance.
You will find further planning help in our moving checklist for France and under Moving to France: costs and planning.
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