Quimper, is the capital of the historic Cornouaille countryside in Brittany and the seat of the prefecture of the Finistère département in north-western France.
Kemper has been inhabited since Roman times. In 495 it became the episcopal see. It later became the seat of the Counts of Cornwall. In the eleventh century, Cornwall merged with the Duchy of Breton. During the 14th century civil war, the city suffered significant devastation. In 1364, the duchy passed to the Monfors.
Textile industry :
Since 1938, Camper has been known for its Armor Lux hosiery and underwear factory, which manufactures the famous sailor, underwear and hats, among others. Today it has two factories in the city and hosts the company’s headquarters. Arvor Spinners is another clothing brand in the city. It was created in 1927 in Brest and moved to Canberra in 1947, where experience in the textile industry was recognized.
The city is famous for its porcelain manufacture. For four centuries, faiences have been sculpted and decorated entirely by hand in their workshops according to an ancient tradition.
Quimper has a picturesque old town, some of whose houses date back to the Middle Ages and is therefore a popular tourist destination,It is the administrative capital of the county and is considered the cultural heart of Brittany. The city is known for its cathedral, atmospheric old quarter and museums, but mainly for the annual festival that showcases Breton culture.
Access : Coordinates: 47.9967, -4.0964 / The Route nationale 165 connects Quimper with the port cities of Brest in the north-west and Nantes in the south-east. Quimper-Cornouaille Airport is eight kilometers west of the city. / By train : Quimper station on the Savenay – Landerneau line is the terminus for TGV trains from Paris.
Highlights :
- The banks of the Odet river, highly decorated with flowers and with several small walkways as it passes through the city center.The civil architecture of the historic center.
- St. Corentin Cathedral : The Saint-Corentin Cathedral, in the Gothic style and built between the 13th and 19th centuries. / Saint-Mathieu Church ,19th century – neo-Gothic style. / Church of Kerfeunteun ,late Gothic style – 16th century. / Church of Ergué-Armel ,late Gothic style – 16th century.
- Notre-Dame de Locmaria : Romanesque church of Locmaria, from the 11th and 12th centuries, with subsequent renovations. / Chapel of the Mother of God in Kerfeunteun ,16th-17th century. / The remains of the medieval fortifications.
- Breton Departmental Museum. / Museum of Fine Arts (near the cathedral) housed in a 19th century Italian-style building, which is considered the richest art gallery in Brittany. Artists represented include Rubens, Eustache Le Sueur, Fragonard, Louis Duveau and painters of the Impressionist period.
- Mont-Frugy walks: paths in a wooded cliff overlooking the city / Old Quimper, listed site (ramparts, old houses, including the Maison des caryatides, rue du Guéodet / Former chapel of the Jesuit College ,18th.
- the Festival de Cornouaille, a music and dance festival lasting several days, takes place in the city center every year in late July.
- Créac’h Gwen leisure park : City park with a pond, nautical base, tennis courts, football, BMX course, skate park, games for children. Located near the Glann Odet shopping center and the swimming pool.
- Stangala Gorges where the Odet River flows ,accessible by footpaths 7 km N.E.
- Crepes-Ciders : The city’s restaurants feature some of the finest crepes and cider, typical local Breton product.
- The most famous product of the city is the earthenware pottery. It has been produced since 1690, and the products had motifs from the area designed by Jean-Baptiste Busquet. The city is also known for its copper and bronze products, as well as food, leather, paper and wool products.
Activities : sightseeing / Photography, Architecture Photography / walk in town with its old districts / Good place to glance history!!
Go next : Concarneau is a city in the province of Brittany, France. / Benodet is a small town ,in the heart of the Brittany Riviera, in the north-west of France / Douarnenez is a port town in Finistère, Brittany, France
