Cultural Quimper, museums and festivals

Published on July 8, 2024 at 4:00 pm

For a town of its size (just under 65,000 inhabitants), the prefecture of Finistère has an impressive cultural offering.

Quimper's various museums retrace the historical richness of the city and its region. Allow plenty of time to explore them, or select them according to your interests.

What's more, take advantage of your stay to attend a festival or a concert. There's always something going on in Quimper's agenda!

Place Saint-Corentin, home of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper

Summary

Museums in Quimper
⭐Where to sleep near Quimper museums?

Museums in Quimper

Quimper's Musée des Beaux-Arts remains the city's richest cultural centre.

Located on Place Saint-Corentin, in the heart of the historic city, this museum exhibits paintings and sculptures.

The museum's collection comprises over 650 works dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The works cover a wide range of styles. Among the various schools, the Pont-Aven school stands out as a benchmark.

💰 Good to know! The museum is free every Sunday afternoon in winter, from November to March. Otherwise, admission is charged, with reduced rates and free admission for under-12s.

Aerial view of Quimper town center, where the museums are located.

The Musée Départemental Breton offers visitors a comprehensive overview of the history and riches of this wonderful region of France.

From archaeology to photography, the museum's collections cover more than 500,000 years of history! Embark on a wonderful journey!

💰 Admission charge, free for under-26s.

The Musée de la Faïence (Earthenware Museum traces the unique relationship between the town and this wrought ceramic. For over 300 years, earthenware has played an important role in the city's industrial activity.

Each year, a different thematic exhibition takes place within these walls (in the last room of the museum).

🗓️ The museum is only open from April to October. Admission charge, reduced rates, free for children under 7.

Quimper, a lively town all year round

Here in this remote corner of Brittany, the cultural calendar is packed twelve months out of the year! Among the many events and activities, the most famous is the Festival de Cornouaille.

The Quimper Cornouaille Festival is a must-see when you visit the region at the end of July!

The Festival de Cornouaille has been held in the historic heart of Quimper since 1923 (the festival celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023).

The Festival de Cornouaille is a unique opportunity to take part in a festive occasion, and you'll discover just how much culture is still alive in Brittany and Cornouaille in particular.

What's more, the festival is open to other cultures from around the world, and features artists from abroad.

What's more, special attention is paid to the little ones, with workshops dedicated to them. All in all, it's a festival for all the family!

Musical parade during the Quimper Cornouaille Festival

⭐Where to sleep near Quimper museums?

If you want to spend the night in the heart of Quimper, just a few steps from the museum, book your nights at the Art Appart Kemper flat.

This 30 m² apartment is located on the top floor, accessible only by stairs, which is good to know for people with mobility problems.

It's a functional flat with simple but charming comforts. You'll find a kitchenette and a separate bathroom with shower.

Above all, its strong point is its convenient location, making it easy to get around the heart of the historic city on foot.

Booking.com

Art Appart Kemper

The ART APPART KEMPER is located in Quimper, just 160 metres from the Musée Départemental Breton and an 11-minute walk from the Palais des Évêques de Quimper.

8.9 Superb

From

£63 / night

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👉Practical information

🗓️ When can I come and take a cultural bath in Quimper?

Quimper and the south of Finistère (the Cornouaille region) are a holiday destination that attracts visitors all year round.

However, it's during the summer months, from June to September, that things get really lively. The highlight is the Festival de Cornouaille, which takes place at the end of July.

In the off-season, this part of Brittany enjoys a quieter atmosphere, making the town an ideal destination for a romantic weekend off the beaten track. At this time of year, make the most of a visit to Quimper's museums!

As a bonus, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is free on Sunday afternoons in winter!

🚌How do I get to Quimper and South Finistère and get around the city?

By road, several major trunk roads serve the Quimper conurbation. The N165 links Quimper to Brest and Lorient, and further afield to Nantes and Paris.

From Quimper, you can take the D 765 to Douarnenez.

If you choose to travel by train, there are several SNCF connections from Paris. The journey from the capital takes just 3? hours, and most of it is on a high-speed line.

The town is also connected to the capital by air. Quimper-Bretagne airport is to the west of the town.

Once you're in the heart of the city, you can get around on the Quimper Bretagne Occidentale bus network: QUB.

🅿️Where can I park near Quimper's museums?

A number of car parks are available in Quimper town centre.

Most are chargeable, but you can park for free for a limited time at the Steir car park.

by Val HANCOCK

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