“More an old-fashioned business than a factory where you do your shopping”: This is what the Leclerc at the Phare de l’Europe in Brest will look like
The eagerly anticipated opening date for the new Leclerc store at the Phare de l’Europe shopping gallery in Brest remains unconfirmed as of Thursday, November 27, 2025. The store is replacing the Casino hypermarket, which closed on September 30, 2024, leaving a void for shoppers in the Europe district and beyond.
Traders within the gallery are looking forward to the arrival of the new “locomotive” store and the end of the ongoing construction. According to the director, final steps include installing equipment for fresh products, testing systems, integrating data flows, and finalizing lighting. “Basically: as soon as it’s ready, let’s go (the end of the year is promising), but not before,” he explained.
A key feature of the redesign is a focus on natural light,achieved through large windows at the back of the store,intended to create a sense of openness rather than arriving at a “dead end.” Director Éric Jouan noted the pleasant view, even spotting a rainbow on Wednesday.
The entire 3,000 m2 space formerly occupied by the hypermarket, along with the 1,300 m2 of Leclerc Toys and the 350 m2 parapharmacy, has been completely renovated with a focus on energy efficiency. Improvements include new insulation, LED lighting, and closed cold units. The investment in the project totals between eight and ten million euros.
The new store, branded “Les halles Phare de l’Europe,” aims to recreate the atmosphere of a conventional market. “We are entering the middle of a market,” Jouan stated. The layout features fresh produce, a butcher shop, a fishmonger, a pastry shop, a bakery, and a sushi stand, all designed to create a “warm spirit” with extensive use of wood. “It’s not a factory where you do your shopping by going from one department to another. More of an old-fashioned business.” Bread will be baked on-site, with an additional baker added to the team. Five butchers have also been hired, joining an existing manager, and a new team of six will staff the fishmonger.
Of the 140 employees, half previously worked at the Casino. For the remaining positions, the selection process prioritized candidates’ enthusiasm for the project over prior experience in mass distribution. Some applicants were drawn to the location’s accessibility via the tram system.
The store’s layout places food departments in one direction and non-food items perpendicularly, designed to maximize the impact of the large windows and natural light.
