A Two Thousand – Year Old Town of Gallo-Roman Origin
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A two thousand – year old town of Gallo-Roman origin Quimper was an episcopal and ducal town and established itself as the historic capital of Cornouaille. Its medieval aspect, dominated by its cathedral, does not mean it is any less a town of 19th and 20th centuries. Today the town features a centre enclosed by ramparts. A network of streets and lanes, radiating out from the Saint- Corentin Cathedral, jewel of Breton gothic art is bordered by half-timbered and stone houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The quaysides are attractively laid out featuring numerous footbridges decorated with floral displays. The rich architectural heritage of Quimper has awarded it the Town of Art and History label. Follow your private english guide through the most extended pedestrian downtown in Brittany and discover the history of the town Information and booking at the Quimper Tourist Office: 8, rue Elie Fréron Tel : + 33 (0)2 98 53 04 05 www.quimper-tourisme.bzh / [email protected] A 45 minutes tour on the Little train starts every day in front of the Cathedral. It will take you to the old town throughout the pedestrian streets to get an overview of the city. We recommend you to buy the Pass’Quimper, in order to visit the different museums at a special price : 4 visits for 12 €. (available at the Quimper Tourist Office or at the partners desk ) Make your choice among the different museums! On the cathedral square stands the Fine Arts Museum, one of the richest museum in Brittany, housed in a small Italian style palace and which presents many painting schools like the famous Pont-Aven School. Temporary exhibition: “La nature silencieuse, Paysage d’Odilon Redon” (20th of May-11th of September 2017) http://www.mbaq.fr Next to the cathedral the Breton Museum, created in 1846 in the former bishop’s palace, it presents an archaeological synthesis, popular arts and decorative arts of Finistère and one of the most famous traditional costumes collection. Temporary exhibition “Bienvenue en Bretagne, L’âge d’or de l’affiche touristique” (1st of July-31st of December 2017) http://musee-breton.finistere.fr Not very far from the city centre, you will discover Locmaria, the first Gallo-Roman site, the original site of Quimper: the 12th century roman church one of the oldest roman building in Finistère, the ancient priory and its medieval garden. Take the time to visit the Pottery Museum with its exceptional collection, covering three hundred years of artisanal and industrial tradition. Temporary exhibition “Armor, Argoat – La Bretagne au travail” (18th of April-30th of September 2017) http://www.musee-faience-quimper.com Henriot manufacture, which is the only place where you can discover with a guided workshop tour different stages of faience production from the mould creation to the hand painting. http://www.henriot-quimper.com We invite you to stop at the prestigious Pascal Jaouen Embroidery School that the passionate teacher and school pupils will reveal to you. Temporary exhibition “Broderie Art d’Intérieur” (18thof April-15th of September 2017) “Made in Kemper” Quimper is well known by its textile industry. Created in 1938 in Quimper, Armor Lux is today a brand being well-known for the originality of its clothes inspired by French maritime tradition and the values conveyed by the sea. Don’t hesitate to book a guided tour of the factory and take the time to discover their stores After your shopping time, come to have a drink in the old quarter and taste our Local specialities in a typical restaurant. List available at the Tourist Office Honored by the label “Towns and Villages in Bloom”, the city has always taken good care of its natural spaces and it offers to you lots of places for walking: footbridges, gardens, the mount Frugy and Creac’h Gwen space where is situated L’Orangerie de Lanniron in a unique, historical and charming setting. Its 17th century gardens built in terraces in front of the Quimper’s bishop former palace are to be discovered within the 38ha park. Vedettes de l’Odet The best way to discover the river Odet is to take a boat cruise. Well known for the many châteaux and manor houses that can be seen on its bank, the cruise on the Odet river allows you to discover places steeped in history all along a preserved environment. Boat trips available from Quimper to Benodet and back (be careful, departures are depending of the tides!) And do not miss the Glenan’s archipelago! Just imagine, bright blue water, white sand, sea bird and peaceful landscapes … Doesn’t it look like a perfect scenario for a whole day trip?! Choose your date of departure and navigate by boat from Benodet in the direction of Saint Nicholas Island, the main island of the archipelago. We assure you to find a real piece of paradise in the middle of the ocean! www.vedettes-odet.com Information and tickets for sale at the Quimper Tourist Office Quimper and its region Locronan One of the most beautiful town of France The blue-grey granite houses of Locronan, a small town nestling against a hillside, rise up around the squat and distinctive edifice of its square church tower. Originally founded on a sacred site and capital of Brittany’s sailcloth industry from the end of the 15th to the middle of the 18th century, this major Breton tourist centre, much loved by filmmakers, has not forgotten its historic dual role. Follow your private english guide through this Small Town of Character, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Information and booking at the Locronan Tourist Office: Place de la Mairie - Tel : + 33 (0)2 98 91 70 14 www.locronan-tourisme.com / [email protected] Art history Museum We invite to stop at this interesting museum which is located next to the tourist office. Temporary exhibition: “Jean Fréour” (13th of May - 15th of September 2017) In the line of the great sculptors (Rodin, Maillol, Bourdelle, etc.), an exhibition of exceptional quality of a famous artist. Pluridisciplinary, Jean Fréour is alsoillustrated by his watercolors, drawings, and caricatures. An exhibition not to be missed! Welcome to Cornouaille, one land a thousand faces Some of the places you should not miss… Douarnenez Experience the different atmosphere in each of the four ports. Stroll along the inland trails and the coastal path with its panoramic views over the bay. Pointe du Raz Yes, this is really land’s end. The force emanating from the site makes it an obligatory stop, and there is a permanent show at the foot of the cliffs. The fascinating île de Sein is visible, out beyond the currents. The headland is one of the Grand Sites de France, and covers no less than 200 hectares of protected natural land. Benodet offers you all the amenities one would expect from the leading seaside resort in Finistere: casino, thalassotherapy, a marina at the mouth of the Odet which you can admire from the Cornouaille bridge, its coastal road and beaches. Le Guilvinec This place is a delight! If you want to witness the arrival of fishing boats and watch the unloading of fish and live langoustines, then go to Le Guilvinec! From 4:30 pm, a fascinating show awaits you from Monday to Friday all year long. Concarneau Harbour town and ancient stronghold of Brittany, Concarneau has preserved a rich architectural heritage. In the shelter of the fortifications of the Vill Close, trawlers and coastal vessels unload their catch not far from the canning factories and the shipyards. Its bay shelters a seaside resort with fine sandy beaches. Pont Aven The famous artists’ town. Put yourself in the footsteps of Paul Gauguin. Imagine him in the harbor, on the banks of the Aven river, admiring the different mills. You will appreciate why he so loved this charming town, which he publicized overseas. To prepare your stay in advance With the creation of its digital magazine, the Tourist Office of Quimper Cornouaille opens up a new dimension in the discovery of Quimper and South- Finistère. FREE APPLICATION TO DOWNLOAD ON THE APPSTORE A real innovation in the field of digital tourism, the iMagazine comes in the form of a free application to download on the Appstore (type "Quimper" in the search). Designed for the iPad, the iMagazine "Quimper Ville Capitale" application offers the reader a high-end digital support with incredibly rich interactive multimedia content. During your stay Quimper.mobi, the Internet site of the Tourist Office Easily accessible by typing the word "Quimper" on your mobile phone or by flashing the various QR Code present on the Tourist Offices brochures (maps, guides..) and on the websites of Quimper and Locronan. Many information about events, restaurants, accommodation, audio tours of Quimper …) Get around in Cornouaille Taxi de l’Odet: 02 98 90 54 93 / 02 98 90 20 20 Alternative VTC : 06 99 14 01 54 EVTC France : 02 98 91 76 60 Radio-Taxi Quimpérois : 02 98 90 21 21 .