Quimper



Quimper is a city of Brittany in northwestern France. Population (2006): 64,900. Its inhabitants are called Quimpérois. 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.

HISTORY OF QUIMPER
Quimper is the ancient capital of La Cornouaille, Brittany’s most traditional region, and has a distinctive Breton character. Shops and flags celebrating the region's Celtic heritage can be found throughout the city. 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.

More informations about the History of Quimper on the Quimper !

WHAT TO VISIT ?

 * 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

More informations about the places to visit in Quimper on the Quimper and/or visit the Official Website of the Office of Tourism.

How to get to Quimper

 * By Car:


 * By Train: 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)


 * By Plane:

Bus
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.

TWIN TOWNS
Quimper is twinned with:
 * Limerick, Ireland
 * Remscheid, Germany
 * Falkirk, Scotland
 * Ourense, Spain

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here are some places where you can get some free Internet and/or Wifi Access:


 * MJC - MPT KERFEUNTEUN - Adress: 4, Rue Teilhard de Chardin - Tel: 02 98 95 46 25
 * Cyber-bus - Adress: Cyber-bus MPT Ergué Armel 16 avenue Georges POMPIDOU - Tel: 0298907800
 * Cyber-base de Quimper - Adress: Centre Commercial de Penhars Kermoysan 1, rue du Dauphiné - Tel: 02 98 55 69 02

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 80 Couchsurfers in Quimper and the area, feel free to contact them by searching them on a couchsurf or by posting some messages on the CS Group of Quimper.

Meetings
There are some meetings organised in Quimper, you can check on the CS Group of Quimper if there is something happened or check on the Regional CS Group of Brittany (Bretagne) to see if there is an event organised in the area.

Coffee or a Drink</FONT>
Here is a list of local couchsurfers who could be ready to show you the city or/and have a drink with you:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY</FONT>


Commissariat de Police
 * Police Station:

3, rue Théodore Le Hars

29000 Quimper

02.98.65.60.00

SAMU (French Health Urgency Service): 15
 * Health Urgencies:

European Tel. number for urgencies: 112

Urgency number for the homeless: 115

Centre hospitalier de Cornouaille
 * Hospital:

14, avenue Yves Thépot

29000 Quimper

02.98.52.60.60

Urgency number: 18
 * Fireman Station:

Sos Médecins Cornouaille
 * Emergency Doctor:

2, allée Emile Le Page

29000 Quimper

0.825.000.612

Click here to have the complete list of the differents Consulates and Embassies of your country
 * Embassies/Consulates:

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS</FONT>




INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 * Regional CS Group: Bretagne (Brittany)
 * Local CS Group: Quimper


 * Quimper on Wikivoyage
 * Quimper on Hitchwiki
 * Quimper on Wikipedia