Quimper, Finistère

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Coordinates: 47°59′48″N 4°05′47″W / 47.99667, -4.09639

Commune of Quimper
Kemper
The Odet River in the centre of Quimper
Location
Image:Paris_plan_pointer_b_jms.gif
Map highlighting the commune of
Coordinates 47°59′48″N 4°05′47″W / 47.99667, -4.09639
Administration
Country France
Region Bretagne
Department Finistère (préfecture)
Arrondissement Quimper
Canton Chief town of 3 cantons
Intercommunality Quimper Communauté
Mayor Alain Gérard
(2001-2008)
Statistics
Elevation -5 m–151 m
(avg. 6 m)
Land area¹ 84.45 km²
Population²
(1999)		 63,238
 - Density 749/km² (1999)
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code 29232/ 29000
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once.
France

Quimper (Breton: Kemper, Latin: Corspotium) is a commune of Brittany in northwestern France. Population (1999): 67,127. Its inhabitants are called Quimpérois.

Contents

[edit] Administration

Quimper is the prefecture (capital) of the Finistère department.

[edit] Geography

The name Quimper comes from the Breton kemper "confluent" because the city was built on the confluence of the Steir, Odet and Jet rivers. It is at the intersection of Route National 165, D785, D765 and D783, 34 miles northwest of Lorient, 111 miles west of Rennes and 303 miles west-southwest of Paris.

[edit] History

Quimper, with its vernacular architecture, is a popular tourist destination
Quimper, with its vernacular architecture, is a popular tourist destination

Quimper is the ancient capital of La Cornouaille, Brittany’s most traditional region, and has a distinctive Breton character. Quimper was originally settled during Roman times. By AD 495, the town had become a Bishopric. It subsequently became the capital of the counts of Cornouailles. In the 11th century, it was united with the Duchy of Brittany. During the civil wars of the 14th century, the town suffered considerable ruin. In 1364, the duchy passed to the House of Montfort.

The town has a rustic atmosphere with footbridges spanning the rivers that flow through it. The Church of Locmaria, a Romanesque structure, dates from the 11th century. The Cathedral of Saint-Corentin, with its Gothic-style façade, was constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries. It is the oldest Gothic structure in lower Brittany. Its two towers are 250 feet tall; its spires were added in the 19th century. The 15th century stained glass windows are exceptional. The cathedral is dedicated to Quimper's first bishop, Corentin.

To the cathedral's west are the pedestrianized streets of Vieux Quimper with a wide array of crêperies, half-timbered houses and shops. Near the Episcopal palace, which now holds the Musée départemental Breton (devoted to regional history, archaeology, ethnology and economy) are the ruins of the town's 15th century walls. Nearby is the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The museum has a 19th century façade and an entirely rebuilt interior. It houses a collection of 14th to 21st century paintings that includes works by Boucher, Corot, Oudry and Rubens along with canvases by such Pont-Aven School painters as Bernard, Denis, Lacombe, Maufra and Paul Sérusier.

The town's best known product is Quimper faïence pottery. It has been made here since 1690, using bold provincial designs of Jean-Baptiste Bousquet. The town’s eating establishments boast some of the best crêpes and cider in Brittany. The town has also been known for copper and bronze work, food items, galvanized ironware, hosiery, leather, paper and woollen goods.

[edit] Winter Festival

Quimper is also noted for its Winter Festival ( "Les Hivernautes"), and as most French festivals seem to be held in the summer season it is refreshing to find such an excellent musical feast available in Quimper in the depths of winter. A great variety of live music is on offer here, and it is most certainly worth attending if you are a music lover. In the summer, you may also be able to find impromptu concerts on street corners, with pipers and accordion players vying for your attention. [1]

[edit] Main sights

  • the Roman Catholic cathedral of Saint-Corentin. This cathedral has a remarkable bend in its middle.
  • churches (Locmaria, Saint-Mathieu, Kerfeunteun, Ergue-Armel...)
  • an old town centre with mediaeval fortifications and houses
  • Musée des Beaux-Arts (near the cathedral)
  • Cornouaille Festival: traditional dance (last week of July)
  • Faience museum
  • Statue of Gradlon looking in the direction of Ys, in the Saint Corentin Cathedral

[edit] Miscellaneous

[edit] Transport

Public transport in Quimper is provided by QUB. The network consists of 7 urban bus routes, and 16 suburban bus routes. During the summer months of July and August, an additional "beach" bus route is open to service.

Quimper is the terminus of the TGV high-speed train line from Paris, which passes through Le Mans, Rennes and Vannes. Journey duration is approximately 04h25. In addition, the following destinations are served by the TER Bretagne (the regional train network) :

  • Quimper - Brest (01h09)
  • Quimper - Rennes (02h15)

[edit] Births

Quimper was the birthplace of:

[edit] Twin towns

Quimper is twinned with:

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hervé Gourmelon, Le chevalier de Kerlérec, 1704–1770: L'affaire de la louisiane, second edition, Paris: Les Portes du large, 2004.), 14.