THE MUSEUMS

Quimper’s earthenware factories (Faïenceries) | Festival de cornouaille | Important events

THE FINE ARTS MUSEUM

			Address : 40, place Saint - Corentin 29000 Quimper Tel. : 02 98 95 45 20 Fax : 02 98 95 87 50 E-mail : musee@mairie-quimper.fr Website : http://www.musee-beauxarts.quimper.fr

Facing the Cathedral, the Fine Arts Museum is housed in a small Italian style palace, built in 1867 using the plans drawn by Joseph Bigot, the architect who also built the cathedral’s spires.
Its collections makes it one of the richest museum in Brittany and in France: ancient paintings(Flemish and Dutch school, italian school, French school), Breton inspired paintings, paintings of the Pont-Aven school and Breton school first half of the 20th century Breton sculpture. A room is dedicated to Max Jacob, a poet and painter from Quimper.

BRETON MUSEUM

			Address : 1, rue Roi Gradlon 29000 Quimper Tel. : 02 98 95 21 60 Fax : 02 98 95 89 69 E-mail : Musee.breton@cg.29.fr Website : www.cg29.fr/culture/mdb.htm

Created in 1846 by the Archaeological Society, the Breton Museum is housed since 1911 in the former bishops of Cornouaille’s palace (15th-19th century), a splendid building located between the Cathedral and the Quays of the Odet river.

The Breton Museum ‘s marvellous collections are unique in the county. While going through various rooms, the visitor will discover the many aspects of the Breton culture : golden jewels from the Celtic time, archaeological treasures, statues and stained-glass windows, Finistère traditional costumes, the evolution of the furniture from the 17th Century to the 30,s and an retrospect history of Quimper’s earthenware (faiences).

THE EARTHENWARE MUSEUM (MUSEE DE LA FAIENCE)

			Address : 14, rue Jean-Baptiste Bousquet 29000 Quimper Tel. : 02 98 90 12 72 Fax : 02 98 52 05 87 Website : http://www.quimper-faiences.com

The Earthenware Museum (Musée de la Faïence) is housed in the former Porquier Pottery works, on the left bank of the Odet river. The museum relates the three hundred years history of earthenware in Quimper. The museum collection is of 2000 pieces, some of which are unique. Among the 500 pieces exposed some are religious or historical while others show scenes of daily life. Quite a few have abstract motives.The last room in the building offers, every year, a new exhibition.

LE QUARTIER – CONTEMPORARY ART CENTRE

			Address : 10, esplanade F.Mitterrand B.P.1732 29107 QUIMPER CEDEX Tel. : 02 98 55 55 77 Fax : 02 98 55 87 14 E-mail : lequartier@wanadoo.fr Website : http://www.le-quartier.net

Right in Quimper cultural centre, next to the Théatre de Cornouaille-Scène Nationale, the Contemporary Art Centre develops a policy of temporary modern art exhibitions, supported by an editorial activity of great quality. With commentaries followed by debates, these exhibitions are accompanied by a consequent educational and cultural program.

THE STILL MUSEUM (MUSEE DE L’ALAMBIC)

			Address : Chemin du Quinquis Ergué Armel 29000 QUIMPER Tel. : 02 98 90 75 647 Fax : 02 98 53 24 64

Close to the Plessis distillery, the museum perpetuates the skill of the previous distillers. There you will discover a granite apple-lathe, a 17th century old cider-press, a still collection, technological and ingenious wonders. The visit ends with a free sampling of the distillery’s products : Pommeau de bretagne, cornouaille cider, lambig or fine, liquors, apple juice...