Tourist information on Quimper, France

Quimper is a small cathedral city in northwest France, the capital of the Finistère department in the region of Brittany. It derives its name from the Breton word kemper, which means confluent, as the city stands on the confluence of three rivers, the Odet, Steir and Jet. Quimper is the ancient capital of the kingdom of Cornouaille and is proud of its historical traditions, which are very noticeable throughout the town. With its old Medieval streets, quaint customs and slow pace of life, Quimper has a rustic charm that sets it apart from most other French cities. It is situated in a region that is renowned for its exceptional natural beauty and provides the ideal base from which to explore the marvellous Breton landscape.

The history of Quimper before the Middle Ages is uncertain and coloured by local legends which have little factual basis. Archaeological findings show that the area around Quimper has been inhabited since the 6th century BC, and that a substantial Gallo-Roman town existed here between around the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. Not a great deal is known about Quimper between then and the 11th century, when it acquired its name and became part of the Duchy of Brittany. A central hero of Breton folklore is Gradlon, the 4th century king of Cornouaille who chose Quimper as his capital after the city of Ys had been claimed by the sea. Quimper is certainly in no hurry to let go of its old legends and customs. The traditional costumes - which include tall lace headdresses (coiffes) for women and elaborately embroidered velvet jackets for men - are donned on the slightest pretext, whilst the ancient Breton language is still spoken in many households.

Quimper's most visible landmark is the Cathédrale Saint-Corentin. One of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in Brittany, this was built between the 13th and 16th centuries and was dedicated to the town's first bishop, Corentin. It is distinguished by its ornate Gothic façade, beautifully detailed 15th century stained glass windows and two 76 m high towers. Its spires, a 19th century addition, make it the tallest cathedral in Brittany. Seated between these spires is an imposing statue of Gradlon, the legendary 4th century king of Cornouaille. To the west of the cathedral lies the Old Town (Vieille Ville) with its pedestrianised streets and old half-timbered houses. The abundance of crêperies in this area provides ample opportunity for the visitor to sample Brittany's famous crêpe pancakes.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts is Quimper's fine arts museum and boasts a substantial collection of paintings from the 14th century to the present day. Its exhibits include works by Bruegel, Rubens, Boucher and the artists of the Pont-Aven School, such as Paul Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Georges Lacombe and Paul Ranson. The Bishop's Palace is the location of the Musée départemental Breton, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Brittany. Nearby are the ruins of the town's 15th century defensive walls.

Situated to the southwest of the town centre, on the south bank of the Odet river, is the old neighbourhood of Locmaria, which has been a centre of pottery production since the 17th century. The two main attractions in this area are the Musée de la Faïence de Quimper (a pottery museum, located on rue Jean-Baptiste-Bousquet) and the Église Notre Dame de Locmaria, a Romanesque church which dates from the eleventh century. The latter was built on the site of a monastery that was destroyed by invading Normans in the 10th century. It is possible to take a boat trip down the picturesque river Odet to nearby Bénodet, a popular seaside resort situated 16 km south of Quimper. This has a number of attractive beaches and is a very popular area for camping.

Quimper-Cornouaille Airport is situated 5 km southwest of the town centre and provides flights to Paris. Quimper's train station, Gare de Quimper, offers a high speed (TGV) rail service to Paris and Rennes, and standard service to regional destinations, including Brest and Rennes. A bus service operates within the town.