Quimper
Encyclopedia
Quimper is a commune
and capital of the Finistère
department of Brittany in northwestern France.
department.
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, 62 kilometres (39 mi) northwest of Lorient
, 181 km (112 mi) west of Rennes
and 486 km (302 mi) west-southwest of Paris.
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 eleventh 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 76 metres (249.3 ft); 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 nineteenth 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.
on 6 February 2008.
In 2008, 4.61% of primary-school children attended bilingual schools.
preschools, two Diwan primary schools and one Diwan collège
. In total, 287 students attended here a Diwan school in 2003–2004.
The Gare de Quimper
is the terminus of a 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 – Cornouaille Airport has flights to Paris.
with: Limerick
, Ireland Remscheid
, Germany Falkirk
, United Kingdom Ourense
, Spain Yantai
, China Foggia
, Italy
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
and capital of the Finistère
Finistère
Finistère is a département of France, in the extreme west of Brittany.-History:The name Finistère derives from the Latin Finis Terræ, meaning end of the earth, and may be compared with Land's End on the opposite side of the English Channel...
department of Brittany in northwestern France.
Administration
Quimper is the prefecture (capital) of the FinistèreFinistère
Finistère is a département of France, in the extreme west of Brittany.-History:The name Finistère derives from the Latin Finis Terræ, meaning end of the earth, and may be compared with Land's End on the opposite side of the English Channel...
department.
Geography
The name Quimper comes from the BretonBreton language
Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany , France. Breton is a Brythonic language, descended from the Celtic British language brought from Great Britain to Armorica by migrating Britons during the Early Middle Ages. Like the other Brythonic languages, Welsh and Cornish, it is classified as...
kemper "confluent" because the city was built on the confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
of the Steir, Odet
Odet
The Odet is a river in western France , which runs from Saint-Goazec into the Atlantic Ocean at Bénodet. Bénodet is being given its name from the river The Odet is a river in western France (Finistère department), which runs from Saint-Goazec (near Leuhan, in the Montagnes Noires of Brittany) into...
and Jet rivers. It is at the intersection of Route National 165, D785, D765 and D783, 62 kilometres (39 mi) northwest of Lorient
Lorient
Lorient, or L'Orient, is a commune and a seaport in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France.-History:At the beginning of the 17th century, merchants who were trading with India had established warehouses in Port-Louis...
, 181 km (112 mi) west of Rennes
Rennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
and 486 km (302 mi) west-southwest of Paris.
History
Breton War of Succession
The Breton War of Succession was a conflict between the Houses of Blois and Montfort for control of the Duchy of Brittany. It was fought between 1341 and 1364. It formed an integral part of the early Hundred Years War due to the involvement of the French and English governments in the conflict; the...
of the 14th century, the town suffered considerable ruin. In 1364, the duchy passed to the House of Montfort
Montfort of Brittany
The House of Montfort was a French noble family, who reigned in the Duchy of Brittany from 1365 to 1514. It was a cadet branch of the Breton House of Dreux, itself a branch of the House of Dreux; it was thus ultimately part of the Capetian dynasty...
.
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 eleventh 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 76 metres (249.3 ft); 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
Corentin of Quimper
Saint Corentin is a Breton saint. He is venerated as a saint and as the first bishop of Quimper. His feast day is December 12. He was a hermit at Plomodiern and regarded as one of the seven founder saints of Brittany...
.
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 nineteenth century façade and an entirely rebuilt interior. It houses a collection of 14th to 21st century paintings that includes works by Boucher
François Boucher
François Boucher was a French painter, a proponent of Rococo taste, known for his idyllic and voluptuous paintings on classical themes, decorative allegories representing the arts or pastoral occupations, intended as a sort of two-dimensional furniture...
, Corot
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was a French landscape painter and printmaker in etching. Corot was the leading painter of the Barbizon school of France in the mid-nineteenth century...
, Oudry
Jean-Baptiste Oudry
Jean-Baptiste Oudry was a French Rococo painter, engraver, and tapestry designer. He is particularly well known for his naturalistic pictures of animals and his hunt pieces depicting game.-Biography:...
and Rubens
Rubens
Rubens is often used to refer to Peter Paul Rubens , the Flemish artist.Rubens may also refer to:- People :Family name* Paul Rubens Rubens is often used to refer to Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), the Flemish artist.Rubens may also refer to:- People :Family name* Paul Rubens (composer) Rubens is...
along with canvases by such Pont-Aven School
Pont-Aven School
Pont-Aven School is a term occupied by works of art iconographically due to Pont-Aven and its surroundings. Originally the term was focusing works of the artists' colony emerging there since the 1850s, and some decades later the work of the group of painters gathering around the artist Paul...
painters as Bernard
Émile Bernard
Émile Henri Bernard is known as a Post-Impressionist painter who had artistic friendships with Van Gogh, Gauguin and Eugene Boch, and at a later time, Cézanne. Most of his notable work was accomplished at a young age, in the years 1886 through 1897. He is also associated with Cloisonnism and...
, Denis
Maurice Denis
Maurice Denis was a French painter and writer, and a member of the Symbolist and Les Nabis movements. His theories contributed to the foundations of cubism, fauvism, and abstract art.-Childhood and education:...
, Lacombe, Maufra and Paul Sérusier
Paul Sérusier
Paul Sérusier was a French painter who was a pioneer of abstract art and an inspiration for the avant-garde Nabi movement, Synthetism and Cloisonnism.- Education :...
.
The town's best known product is Quimper faïence
Quimper faience
Quimper faience is produced in a factory near Quimper, in Brittany, France. Since 1708, Quimper faience is painted by hand, and production continues to this day....
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.
Population
Its inhabitants are called Quimpérois.Breton language
The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhonegYa d'ar brezhoneg
Ya d'ar brezhoneg is a campaign launched by the Ofis ar Brezhoneg in order to stimulate the use of the Breton language in daily life in Brittany, western France. In the first phase, started on 5 October 2001, civil society was targeted. Over 560 enterprises and organisations have signed the...
on 6 February 2008.
In 2008, 4.61% of primary-school children attended bilingual schools.
Education
Quimper has several schools, under which two DiwanDiwan (school)
Diwan is a federation of Breton language-medium schools in Brittany .-Concept:The Diwan concept, which allows children to learn French and Breton through immersion was inspired by the Gaelscoileanna movement in Ireland, Ikastolak movement in the Basque Country and the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin...
preschools, two Diwan primary schools and one Diwan collège
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. In total, 287 students attended here a Diwan school in 2003–2004.
Winter Festival
Most French festivals are held in the summer season, but Quimper has a Winter Festival: Les Hivernautes. In the summer, you can also find concerts on street corners, with pipers and accordion players.Sights
- the Roman Catholic cathedralCathedralA cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of Saint-CorentinCathédrale Saint-Corentin de QuimperQuimper Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and national monument of Brittany , located in the town of Quimper...
. 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)
- FaienceFaienceFaience or faïence is the conventional name in English for fine tin-glazed pottery on a delicate pale buff earthenware body, originally associated with Faenza in northern Italy. The invention of a white pottery glaze suitable for painted decoration, by the addition of an oxide of tin to the slip...
museum - Statue of GradlonGradlonGradlon the Great was a semi-legendary 5th century "king" of Cornouaille who became the hero of many Breton folk stories. The most famous of these legends is the story of the sunken city of Ys. He is supposed to have been the son of Conan Meriadoc.-Gradlon and Malgven :According to some legends,...
looking in the direction of YsYsYs , also spelled Is or Kêr-Is in Breton, and Ker-Ys in French , is a mythical city that was built on the coast of Brittany and later swallowed by the ocean...
, in the Saint Corentin Cathedral
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.The Gare de Quimper
Gare de Quimper
Quimper is a railway station in Quimper, Brittany, France. The station was opened on 8 September 1863 is located on the Savenay - Landerneau railway line...
is the terminus of a TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
high-speed train line from Paris, which passes through Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
, Rennes
Rennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
and Vannes
Vannes
Vannes is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It was founded over 2000 years ago.-Geography:Vannes is located on the Gulf of Morbihan at the mouth of two rivers, the Marle and the Vincin. It is around 100 km northwest of Nantes and 450 km south west...
. Journey duration is approximately 04h25. In addition, the following destinations are served by the TER Bretagne
Ter
Ter is a prefix or suffix designating the third instance of a thing, thus following bis and preceding quater.Ter can also refer to:* River Ter, in Essex;* Ter , the debut album of American rock band Sweet Water...
(the regional train network) :
- Quimper – Brest (01h09)
- Quimper – Rennes (02h15)
Quimper – Cornouaille Airport has flights to Paris.
Personalities
Quimper was the birthplace of:- Élie Catherine FréronÉlie Catherine FréronÉlie Catherine Fréron was a French critic and controversialist whose career focused on countering the influence of the philosophes of the French Enlightenment, partly thorough his vehicle, the Année littéraire...
(1719–1776), critic and controversialist - Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-TrémarecYves-Joseph de Kerguelen-TrémarecYves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec was a Breton explorer and French naval officer.- Early life:He was born in Landudal, Finistère. During the Seven Years' War, Kerguelen-Trémarec was a privateer, but without much success....
(1734–1797), explorer, admiral, discoverer of the Kerguelen archipelago - Rene-Marie MadecRene-Marie MadecRené-Marie Madec , called Medoc in Anglo-Indian writings, was a French adventurer in India.Madec was born at Quimper in Brittany of poor parents....
(1736–1784), adventurer, NawabNawabA Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
of India. See also René Madec - René LaënnecRené LaennecRené-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec was a French physician. He invented the stethoscope in 1816, while working at the Hôpital Necker and pioneered its use in diagnosing various chest conditions....
(1781–1826), physician, inventor of the stethoscopeStethoscopeThe stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal body. It is often used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins... - Max JacobMax JacobMax Jacob was a French poet, painter, writer, and critic.-Life and career:After spending his childhood in Quimper, Brittany, France, he enrolled in the Paris Colonial School, which he left in 1897 for an artistic career...
(1876–1944), poet, painter, writer and critic - Philippe Poupon, sailor
- OBE Hélène Mansfeild, Croesyceiliog Head Teacher
- Hélène Albert, Nobel Prize winner of Medicine
- William StangerWilliam StangerWilliam Stanger is a footballer who plays for SJA Le Poiré-sur-Vie.- Career :Stanger joined Rangers in May 2006. He was signed by fellow countryman Paul Le Guen from Stade Rennais FC, along with Rennes youth team-mate Antoine Ponroy.On 22 January 2007, he joined Swedish side GAIS for a week long...
, footballer - Jean Failler, writer (The Adventures of Mary Lester)
- Louis Billouart de Kervaségan, chevalier de Kerlérec (1704–1770), last French governor of Louisiana
- Jacques VillegléJacques VillegléJacques Villeglé, born Jacques Mahé de la Villeglé is a French mixed-media artist and affichiste famous for his alphabet with symbolic letters and decollage with ripped or lacerated posters...
(b.1926), mixed-media artist - Jessica CerivalJessica CérivalJessica Cérival is a French track and field athlete who specialises in the shot put.She began competing internationally in 2005 with appearances at the European Winter Throwing Cup. She attended her first major competition in 2007, the 2007 European Athletics Indoor Championships, and she finished...
athlete - Dan Ar BrazDan Ar BrazDan Ar Braz, born Daniel Le Bras , is a French guitarist and the founder of Héritage des Celtes.- The apprenticeship years :...
(b. 1949), guitarist - Guillaume Hyacinthe Bougeant (1690–1743), Jesuit author
International relations
Quimper is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, Ireland Remscheid
Remscheid
Remscheid is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is, after Wuppertal and Solingen, the third largest municipality in Bergisches Land, being located on the northern edge of the region, on south side of the Ruhr area....
, Germany Falkirk
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, United Kingdom Ourense
Ourense
Ourense is a city in northwestern Spain, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.-Population:...
, Spain Yantai
Yantai
Yantai is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.The largest fishing...
, China Foggia
Foggia
Foggia is a city and comune of Apulia, Italy, capital of the province of Foggia. Foggia is the main city of a plain called Tavoliere, also known as the "granary of Italy".-History:...
, Italy