[2] In 2023–24, underdogs Brest achieved an unlikely third-place finish in Ligue 1 and thus qualified for the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League, marking the first appearance in any European competition in the club's history.
[citation needed] The sports section of Saint Louis patronage was created in 1903 by taking the name of Armoricaine de Brest and adopting a motto: "Pen Huel" ("Heads up" in Breton).
Before the First World War, 500 young people and 400 children attended the various patronage activities: military preparation, shooting, football, athletics, men's gymnastics, theatre, choir, brass band, and study circles.
[citation needed] In 1922, Father Cozanet had a stadium built at Petit Paris, on the site of the current Stade Francis-Le Blé, a grandstand still bearing the Armorican motto (the Pen Huel stand) as its name.
The goalkeeper Alexis Thépot, who obtained a selection while he was part of the Armoricaine squad in 1927 against England, was one of the club's brightest players during this period.
Stade Brestois finally reached the French Amateur Championship (CFA) in 1958, taking advantage of the withdrawal of the Voltigeurs de Châteaubriant.
From that season, the Bretons embarked on the path of "football business" by recruiting South American stars, who after a fanfare debut allowed them to reach a historic (unmatched until 2024) 8th place in Division 1 in 1987.
However, behind the scenes, the rupture between the president and the coach Raymond Keruzoré led to the resignation of the latter, then to the withdrawal of the main sponsor, the Leclerc stores.
[citation needed] Back in the first division, the Brest team was made up of talented young players such as Corentin Martins, David Ginola, the Paraguayan Roberto Cabañas and the future world champion Stéphane Guivarc'h, who allowed the club to rank well in the elite.
[citation needed] In 2004, led by a young Franck Ribéry, the club secured promotion to Ligue 2, the second division of French football.
The 2009–10 season saw the Breton club, coached by Alex Dupont, finish in second place, which secured automatic promotion to Ligue 1, following a 2–0 victory against Tours on 30 April 2010.
In addition, the team had a good run in the Coupe de France, eventually falling in the round of 16 to Lens in extra time.
[citation needed] The club managed to ensure its position in the top division, obtained on 29 May 2011 despite a defeat at home against Toulouse.
[9] From 31 October to 4 December 2021, Brest won six Ligue 1 games in a row, defeating Monaco, Lorient, Lens, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, and Marseille in the club's longest-ever winning streak in the top flight.
[11] On 3 March 2024, Brest defeated Le Havre at home by a score of 1–0 to extend their unbeaten run to thirteen matches, thereby breaking the club's record established in 1991.
[16] In their European debut against Austrian side Sturm Graz at the Stade de Roudourou on 19 September 2024, Brest won 2–1 thanks to a second-half goal from Abdallah Sima.