ISEN Ouest: a “high-level sports institution”
ISEN Ouest is officially recognized as a “High-Level Sports Host Institution”, a label granted by the Rectorate and the Regional Directorate for Youth, Sports and Social Cohesion (DRJSCS).
This certification confirms ISEN Ouest’s commitment to supporting elite athletes through dedicated measures and flexible study pathways, enabling them to successfully balance their dual academic and sporting ambitions.
Sport at ISEN Ouest
Every Thursday afternoon, students have time off to participate in sports activities.
Organized by the school’s Sports Office, numerous teams compete in university championships in football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and rugby. The rugby team on the Brest campus has even been crowned university champion of the Brittany region.
Thanks to the school’s proximity to the ocean, many water sports are also available. The “Glisse Club” offers introductory sessions in diving, sailing, surfing, and other board sports. In addition, the “Brest Grandes Écoles” association — of which ISEN is a member — brings together the city’s top schools and competes in the student sailing championship in the Longtze class.
Success stories
Clément Bourgeois / ISEN Engineer (Brest Campus)
Clément graduated in 2020 and competes at a high level in IQFoil. In 2022, he ranked 5th at the World Championships in his discipline and won silver at the French Olympic Windsurfing Championships.
“While I was studying at ISEN, the High-Level Sports program gave me plenty of flexibility. I was exempted from certain electives and sports courses, and my timetable was adapted so I could train and compete. ISEN allowed me to pursue my higher education while performing at the highest level!”
Aloïse Retornaz / ISEN Engineer (Brest Campus)
Aloïse graduated from ISEN and sails competitively at the Pôle France training center in Brest. In 2021, she was crowned European U21 Champion for the second time and won a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with her teammate.
“It was crucial for me to study in the same city as my training center. ISEN enabled me to balance my preparation and competition schedule with my studies — without extending my degree by an extra year.”
Cycling, windsurfing, artistic roller skating… and more!
You may recognize the name Valentin Madouas, a former ISEN Brest student. In 2023, he became French Cycling Champion and took to the start line of the Tour de France wearing the national champion’s jersey.
Louis Pignolet, currently a third-year student at ISEN Brest, is part of the Pôle France Voile and competed in the Mediterranean Games in IQFoil in 2022, finishing 8th at that year’s World Championships hosted in Brest.
In artistic roller skating, Estelle Roué, an ISEN 2020 graduate, placed 4th at the Prestige International Competition while in her second year at ISEN Brest.
