QUIMPER

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

Contents

Administration

Geography

History

Main Monuments

Miscellaneous

Transport

Births

Twin towns

See also

External links

Administration

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

Geography

The name ''Quimper'' comes from the Breton ''kemper'' "confluent" because the city was built on the confluence of the Steir, the Odet and the Jet rivers.

History

Quimper, the capital of the Département of Finistère, is situated in a valley at the confluence of the Odet and Steir river estuaries, in the southwestern corner of Brittany. It is the ancient capital of La Cornouaille, Brittany’s most traditional region, and has a distinctive Breton character. 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.
Quimper was originally settled during Roman times. Its name was derived from the Breton word ''Kemper'', meaning the confluence (of two rivers). 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 of 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.

Main Monuments

★ 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

Miscellaneous

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)

Births

Quimper was the birthplace of:

★ Élie Catherine Fréron (1719-1776), critic and controversialist

★ Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec (1734-1797), explorer, admiral, discoverer of the Kerguelen archipelago

★ Rene-Marie Madec (1736-1784), adventurer, Nawab of India. See also René Madec

★ René Laënnec (1781-1826), physician, inventor of the stethoscope

★ Max Jacob (1876-1944), poet, painter, writer and critic

★ Philippe Poupon, sailor

★ William Stanger, footballer

★ Jean Failler, writer (The Adventures of Mary Lester)

Twin towns

Quimper is twinned with:

★ Limerick, Ireland

★ Remscheid, Germany

★ Falkirk, Scotland

★ Ourense, Spain

See also

★ Ys

★ Quimper faience

External links

★ Weather station and live webcam from Quimper

★ Municipal website

★ Visiting Quimper - In English

★ PlaceOpedia