Things To Do in Quimper
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Quimper Attractions
- Cathedral
Cathédrale St-Corentin
Characterized by two towers that climb 75m (246 ft.), this cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The twin steeples were added in the 19th. Inside, note the 15th-century stained glass—windows on the north side were funded by religious donors, those on the south by…Around Town
- Museum
Musée Départemental Breton
Located in the medieval Palais des Eveques de Cornouaille (Palace of the Bishops of Cornwall), next to the cathedral, this is a highlight of any visit to Quimper. Recent renovations have revamped its displays of the archaeological and decorative history of the region. A visit here is…Around Town - Museum
Musée des Beaux-Arts
This museum is a nice cultural surprise along the mostly outdoorsy Brittany coast. First opened in 1872, it underwent renovations and extension work in the early 1990s. The collection features some impressive names including Rubens, Boucher, Fragonard, and Corot, in addition to a…Around Town
Quimper Shopping
Quimper’s proximity to the rivers gave it plenty of access to clay; it’s been known as a pottery town since the late 1600s. Faience, the French term for glazed earthenware (as opposed to porcelain, manufactured to be more delicate) is your go-to souvenir here. Quimperware is recognized for its bright, hand-painted motifs, often Breton figures, fruits, and flowers. One of the most popular designs is a male Breton or female Bretonne, both in profile and in traditional costume. Today this 19th-century motif is copyrighted and fiercely protected. See what contemporary artisans of Quimper are creating at L'Atelier Corail, 4 rue du Lycée (www.lateliercorail.com) which showcases locally made pottery, jewelry, and home décor items.
The best shopping streets are rue Kéréon and rue du Parc, where you’ll find Breton products including pottery, dolls and puppets, clothing made from regional cloth and wool, jewelry, lace, and beautiful Breton costumes.
One site that produces stoneware is open for tours. Tuesday to Friday in April and Monday to Friday from May to September, two to seven tours per day depart from the visitor information center of La Faïencerie Henriot-Quimper, rue Haute, Quartier Locmaria (www.henriot-quimper.com; tel. 02-98-90-09-36). Tours in English, French, or both last 40 to 45 min. and cost 5€ for adults, 2.50€ for children 8 to 14, and are free for children 7 and under. On site, a store sells the most complete inventory of Quimper porcelain in the world. You can invest in first-run (nearly perfect) pieces or slightly discounted “seconds,” with almost imperceptible flaws. Everything can be shipped..
Quimper Nightlife
The steadfastly Celtic bar Céili Pub, 4 rue Aristide-Briand (tel. 02-98-95-17-61), has lots of polished wood, regional music, and happy people—join in a game of darts with one of the regulars. An animated pub with state-of-the-art recorded music and a lot of innate Breton/Celtic pride is O'Patchwork, Place Pierre de Ronsard (tel. 02-98-95-05-72). It's a favorite of the young, the restless, and the Vive La Bretagne fervor, especially during soccer matches.
The young and stylish flock to Les Naïades Discothèque, boulevard Creac'h Gwen (tel. 02-98-53-32-30), where you can dance to the latest tunes. It charges a cover.
