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Quimper, Brittany travel guide
Quimper is located in south-west Brittany and is a popular, attractive town. It is the capital of the Finistere department. The town is in an attractive setting, in a pretty valley at the confluence of the Odet and Steir rivers.
The town has a long tradition of pottery making, and you will see lots of 'Quimper faience pottery' for sale with its trademark pattern as you explore the streets. (We found a lovely plate, but the shop said it was 300 years old and cost £750. We didn't buy it!) the town has made pottery since the 17th century.
The cobbled streets in the old town along the River Odet are the highlight of a visit, lined with medieval half-timbered buildings, and with little bridges crossing the river, along with the impressive Saint-Corentin cathedral to the east of old Quimper. The best street to see these houses is Rue Kéréon (straight down from the front of the cathedral), also the Place Terre au Duc (take the Rue de la Herse off Rue Kéréon).
There are also lots of pleasant small restaurants and creperies in the old town, which is largely closed to cars, where you can take a welcome pause from exploring.
You can also see parts of the original fortifications / ramparts of Quimper.
The cathedral dates from the 13th - 16th centuries and is both the oldest and the largest building of its type in Brittany. The facade and the stained glass windows are the two things to look out for especially.
Quimper Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux Arts) has some interesting paintings by local artists (including those from the so-called Pont-Aven school of painting); and the Museum of Breton History also has some interesting exhibits about the history of the town and region.
There is a covered market in the centre of Quimper which is lively and popular, and open every day except Sunday.
To discover more local pottery follow the Odet downstream a little way to Locmaria. Then if you have time it is worth following the footpath up Mont Frugy for a birds eye view of the town
Nearby: don't miss the beautiful village at Locronan, south-east of Quimper.
Quimper: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Visit Quimper, France
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Map of Quimper, France |
Travel, hotels and holiday gites, Quimper
See the Visit Quimper section above for gites and hotels local to the area. For more general French travel options, see the Gites in France listings, or French holidays for other holidays, and Travel to France for ferries, Quimper car-hire, eurotunnel, cheap flights etc.
Places to visit - Quimper
- Concarneau Concarneau, old town and port
- Ile Glenan Island
- Locronan Most beautiful village, Brittany
- Pont-Croix Britanny town
- Quimper Place
- Benodet Seaside resort
- Douarnenez Brittany town
Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)
Information and photos of Quimper, France
This Quimper tourism guide, has information and holidays and photos when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.
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