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Quimperle

Visit Quimperle (Brittany, France)

Quimperlé is a town in southern Brittany between Lorient and Concarneau is at the eastern edge of the Finistere department. Quite a small town, it is based around two rivers (the Ellé and the Isole rivers) as they converge to create the Laita river. The town itself is divided by the hill in the town.

Explore Quimperlé

Quimperlé is a magnet for tourists due to its very pretty centre, with streets containing some medieval half-timbered houses typical of the Brittany region, along with some more grand houses once owned by nobles of the town. The best example of medieval houses is perhaps the lovely 'Maison des Archers'

There are also some interesting churches to be discovered in the town, including Sainte-Croix abbey church in the heart of the old (lower) town and the gothic style church of the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (13th - 15th century) in the upper town.

Abbey of Sainte-Croix and region

The Abbey Sainte-Croix is the principal monument in Quimperlé, dating in part from the 11th century and being very unusual in having a circular design. Note that the church suffered a major collapse in the 19th century, including its belltower, so much of what we see today dates from the late 19th century. The original crypt and some or the original roman style church can still be seen.

Inside the abbey church there are some very interesting highlights including the beautifully detailed 16th century altarpiece and a statue representing Christ being placed in a tomb (a 'mise au tombeau'), both dating from the 16th century (note that the figures in the mise a tombeau were originally painted, but this was washed away when the statue spent many years neglected outside.

Other sights of interest

To the rear of the Church of Sainte-Croix in the Rue Bremond-d'Ars you can also see the ruins of the Church of Saint-Colomban, while to the front there is an unusual 19th century market hall in wrought iron and brick that looks to have been inspired by the Eiffel tower erected earlier in Paris.

Also close by, the old Pont Fleuri in the town lives up to its name and is bedecked with flowers all through the summer, and in a very picturesque setting.

The baroque style Ursulines Chapel in Quimperle is now used for displaying occasional contemporary art exhibitions - remember to look up at the beautifully decorated ceiling!

Note: how things change - the photo shows a picture of the bridge and river by 19th century artist Fritz Thaulow, with washerwomen washing their laundry where tourists now picnic...

Photos of Quimperle

Click any picture to start the gallery

Address: Quimperlé, Quimper, Finistere, Brittany, 29300 || GPS: latitude 47.87, longitude -3.55

Map of Quimperle & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Ile Glenan 38km; Carnac 47km; Forges des Salles 48km; Carnac Plage 49km; La Trinite sur Mer 50km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Quimperle.
See Brittany and Finistere (the region and department for Quimperle) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Quimperle, France

• Zoo de Pont-Scorff - zoo or wildlife park (13km)
• Lorient - town of art and history (14km)
• Parc Victor Chevassu - remarkable garden (19km)
• Massif Dunaire de Gavres-Quiberon - grand site of france (25km)
• Concarneau - town of art and history (27km)
• Marais de Mousterlin - site of natural beauty (35km)
• Parc du château de Trévarez - remarkable garden (37km)
• Archipel des Glénan - site of natural beauty (38km)
• Jardins de Kerambar’h - remarkable garden (38km)
• Carnac - most beautiful village (47km)

Market days in Quimperle: Regular market(s) are held in Quimperle each Friday all day. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Quimperle (Francais)