Changes

During both the [[Seven Years' War]] (1756-63)) and the [[Napoleonic Wars]] which ended in 1815, Brest was [[blockade]]d  for long periods by the [[Royal Navy]].  

During both the [[Seven Years' War]] (1756-63)) and the [[Napoleonic Wars]] which ended in 1815, Brest was [[blockade]]d  for long periods by the [[Royal Navy]].  

Brest was used by the [[German]] Navy as the base for its Atlantic squadron during [[World War II]] and was bombed so mercilessly by the British that the three major warships there were not able to put to sea and had to be recalled to Germany in February 1942.

Brest was used by the [[German]] Navy as the base for its Atlantic squadron during [[World War II]] and was bombed so rmercilessly by the British that the three major warships there were not able to put to sea and had to be recalled to Germany in February 1942.

The town and base were rebuilt after the war and it has resumed its role as base for the French Atlantic fleet, site of the Naval College and is now a centre for maritime studies. The current population is a little over 140,000.

The town and base were rebuilt after the war and it has resumed its role as base for the French Atlantic fleet, site of the Naval College and is now a centre for maritime studies. The current population is a little over 140,000.