Quimper is the
oldest Breton city and ancient capital of the Duchy of Cornouaille. It sits on
the junction of two rivers and has a good size medieval quarter centered on the
cathedral. This is one of those picturesque streets.
It seems to be the
focus for activities. Here’s a jazz band stomping up the street, an odd assortment
of players, some even wearing back-packs, but making a great rhythm. We later noticed
tents where a pop music festival was in progress, and in July there is a
week-long jamboree of Breton music, costumes, theatre and dance.
The cathedral is
the largest in Brittany, a 13th-15th century Gothic
building with spires that were added as late as 1856 but have weathered in
perfectly. I didn’t take a photo from the front elevation as a children’s
roundabout had been stuck right by the entrance. Can’t win them all- swings and
roundabouts as they say!
The interior is, as
expected, as magnificent as the outside. Lovely old stained glass. Problem is,
unless churches are your hobby, they can look a bit samey. But this one has a
deliberate mistake to look for….
Spotted it? ...
it’s not straight: look at the roof line. To later add the nave, at the far
end, the builders had to avoid the edge of the un-channelled river, so built it
at a slight angle to the main church.
The river is now
fully channelled and embankmented, and looking colourful with the flower
baskets on the bridge; in fact, all the central bridges have flower
baskets.
A smaller river joins
the large one in the centre, also an attractive setting for flowers and old
buildings.
The city had many
delightful squares, like the one in the photo below, and gave us a pleasant,
undemanding day out.
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