brittanytravel Book tours
Footbridges and flowers along the River Odet in Quimper

Quimper

Quimper is the capital of Cornouaille, the most traditional corner of Brittany, and a lovely town to stroll.

Photo: Renegade at Dutch Wikipedia, Public domain
  • DepartmentFinistère
  • From Paris~3 h 45 by TGV
  • Best forCulture, crafts, festivals
  • Stay1–2 nights

Quimper sits where the Steir and Odet rivers meet, and its name comes from the Breton word kemper, meaning confluence. The old town is a pleasure of timber-framed houses, crêperies and shops selling traditional pottery, with flower-decked footbridges crossing the Odet.

Cathédrale Saint-Corentin

The Gothic cathedral dominates the centre with twin spires added in the 19th century. Look inside for the slight bend in the nave, a quirk of its long construction, and the rich stained glass.

Museums and faience

  • The Musée des Beaux-Arts has a fine collection of paintings of Brittany, including the Pont-Aven School.
  • The Musée Départemental Breton shows costumes, furniture and the famous lace headdresses (coiffes).
  • Quimper faience, hand-painted pottery made in the town since the late 17th century, is sold in shops around the cathedral.

Festival de Cornouaille

In July, Quimper hosts one of Brittany's biggest celebrations of Breton music, dance and costume. Book accommodation early.

Day trips

  • Locronan, a perfectly preserved granite village, is 20 minutes away.
  • Pointe du Raz, at the end of Cap Sizun, is about an hour west.
  • The Pays Bigouden, with the Eckmühl lighthouse and the fishing port of Le Guilvinec, is 30 to 40 minutes south-west.
  • Bénodet, at the mouth of the Odet, has beaches and boats to the Glénan islands.

Stay in Quimper

Compare prices and free-cancellation rates.

See hotels

Top sights near Quimper

Locronan
Cornouaille

Locronan

A perfectly preserved granite village, once rich from sailcloth, now a film-set favourite.

Read guide →
Pointe du Raz
Cornouaille

Pointe du Raz

France's 'Land's End': a jagged headland facing the Île de Sein and the Vieille lighthouse.

Read guide →
Ville Close, Concarneau
South Finistère

Ville Close, Concarneau

A walled town on an island in a busy fishing port, with a walk around the ramparts.

Read guide →

Header photo: Photo: Renegade at Dutch Wikipedia, Public domain

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.