Quimper, France

Rail Guide to Quimper

Introduction

Quimper gets its name from the Breton word for ‘confluence’, in this case of the rivers Odet and Steir. It’s the capital of Finisterre and the cultural capital of Brittany, a peaceful town yet lively at the same time. The old town has buildings dating back to the 14th century and is a charming place to spend a few hours strolling through the narrow streets and stopping of at one of the cafes. The gothic Cathedrale St-Corentin stands proudly in the middle of the town; next to it you’ll find museums devoted to fine arts, archaeology and the history of Quimper. For modern art visit the Centre d’Art Contemporain de Quimper.


The most important time of year is the end of July when the Festival de la Cornouaille takes place. It’s a celebration of Quimper’s Celtic roots, with bagpipe players, dancers and pop concerts.