Discover Quimper: Culture and Ceramics

Quimper combines Breton cultural heritage with a long ceramic tradition. Museums, churches, signposted walking routes and regional produce offer different ways to get to know the city. If you’re looking for a hotel in Quimper, first consider whether you’d like to focus your stay on architectural history, crafts, outdoor activities or local products.

Cultural Heritage and City History

The Musée départemental breton was founded in 1846 and is housed in Quimper’s former episcopal palace. Its permanent exhibition comprises more than 65,000 objects and explores the history and culture of Basse-Bretagne, from prehistoric times to the present day. This broad time span makes the museum a comprehensive introduction to the region’s history.

Quimper’s Saint-Corentin Cathedral also tells the story of several phases of construction: work on the Gothic cathedral was approved in 1239, on the foundations of an earlier Romanesque cathedral. The vaults of its choir were completed in 1410. In Locmaria, the abbey church of Notre-Dame is an outstanding example of the beginnings of Romanesque art in Brittany; Locmaria Abbey is considered the city’s oldest Christian institution. The Jardin du Prieuré de Locmaria has been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” designation.

Ceramics and Crafts

The Musée de la Faïence de Quimper offers an insight into more than 300 years of ceramic tradition, dating back to 1690. That year also marks the founding of Faïencerie Henriot-Quimper, which holds the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” label. At Henriot-Quimper, each piece is made entirely by hand, from design to freehand decoration. From April to September, the faïencerie offers guided tours of its workshops. Bear this seasonal window in mind if you plan to include a visit in your itinerary.

Walking Routes

Two city walking routes offer a clear choice based on distance and the character of the route. “Quimper, les vieux quartiers” is 5 km long; bronze markers set into the ground mark the way through the historic centre. “Quimper, au fil de l’eau” is 4.8 km long, is rated easy, is suitable for families and starts at Place de la Résistance. The routes differ in length by just 0.2 km. The stated features can therefore help you choose: the first route is marked with bronze markers in the historic centre, while the second is described as easy and family-friendly.

For an activity on the Odet, the Club de Canoë-Kayak de Quimper Cornouaille offers excursions. The club’s activities include canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding; it also has an École Française de Kayak and offers courses and kayak hire. This lets you choose between a guided excursion on the Odet and the club’s other listed activities.

Regional Products and Events

Les Halles Saint François is Quimper’s only covered market. It has stalls selling regional and local products, as well as several options for eating on site or taking food away. This combines a chance to explore produce from the region with a convenient choice of where to eat during your stay.

The Festival de Cornouaille has been rooted in Quimper’s historic centre since 1923 and offers the opportunity to learn traditional Breton dances. The festival also includes Cornouaille Gourmand: visitors will find interactive and educational areas, events and tastings. It highlights the importance of the Cornouaille food industry in promoting good food.

Walking Routes and Planning

The Maison du Patrimoine offers three official geolocated walking routes. Explanations are activated near each attraction. This can be useful if you want to access information on the go that corresponds to the places you visit. To help you plan, the tourist office provides several free downloadable brochures.

There is also a free activity booklet, “Découvre Quimper avec Maout”, for children aged six and over, designed to help them discover Quimper. Together with the brochures and geolocated walking routes, it offers another way to plan your stay, depending on whether you’d rather focus your exploration on culture, crafts, walking routes or regional products.

Discover more destinations: Kernouës, Clohars-Fouesnant, Kernilis, Le Conquet, Melgven, Plougar, Ploudalmézeau, Le Faou.

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