The city of Brest, located in the Finistère department, is France's second-largest port after Toulon. With a population of 139,386, it stands as a major French metropolis. Marked by a maritime past, it hosted the Naval Academy as early as the 18th century. Thanks to its port activities, Brest is a hub for the military naval industry, notably being the construction site of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Every four years, the International Festival of the Sea also takes place in Brest, underscoring its deeply maritime roots.

Despite this economic footprint from the naval sector, Brest is developing and diversifying its activities. Various sectors can integrate with 3D printing, both in industrial and tertiary domains. Several competitiveness clusters have been established, including Pôle Mer Bretagne (Sea Cluster Brittany), Pôle Image et Réseaux (Image and Networks Cluster), and Pôle Valorial (focused on life sciences and agri-food). The Brest-Iroise Technopole also brings together major players in Brest's economic life, fostering collaboration across diverse sectors.