In Cornouaille, behind the scenes of Breton art and craftsExperience sites full of inspiration and traditional know-how

Trip idea

In Cornouaille, behind the scenes of Breton art and crafts

Charming towns, changing landscapes, beautiful light effects… Cornouaille will wake up your artistic flair, like many painters and film-makers before you!

Suggestion for break in

3 days

At a glance

From Quimper to the banks of the Aven, discover a palette of natural décors and towns that have inspired many artists. If you love maritime landscapes, take an uplifting walk on Concarneau port. Set off in the footsteps of Gauguin, Sérusier and other painters from the Pont-Aven school. Stroll around Locronan, the most “filmogenic” village of them all. Lastly, gauge the art of perpetuating traditional know-how. Such as ceramic-making, in the Locmaria district in Quimper. Don’t leave without a bowl with your name on it!

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Stroll around Quimper and act the star in Locronan

Degemer mat! Put your luggage down in Quimper, a Town of Art and History, and set off to explore the old parts of town.
Along the cobbled streets, you’ll pass from square to square, each one more charming than the next. Stop in front of Saint-Corentin cathedral, a gem of Breton Gothic art. Cross the garden of ramparts and admire the beautiful flowers. Advance along the banks of the Odet.
Your walk continues to Locronan, the “movie star”. Around 30 films have been shot in this “small town of character”. You’ll be captivated by this décor which has inspired film-makers, with its charming little streets, well-preserved granite houses, the well on the main square, etc.
Many artists and craftspeople have settled here. Open the doors to their workshops/boutiques and you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome!

Every summer, the Cornouaille festival lasts one week and plunges you into the heart of Breton culture. On the menu: dancing lessons, free concerts, Fest Noz traditional festival, parades of bands, etc.
« Chouans ! », « Tess », “A very long engagement”… Discover the secrets of filming and other stories on a guided tour of “Locronan and the movies”.

From the art of earthenware to cider-making

After a good breakfast, head to the district of Locmaria. This is the birthplace of Quimper earthenware, an expertise that has been perpetuated by Faïencerie Henriot-Quimper. Find out what goes on behind the scenes of this factory and take part in the work of its designers. The famous Breton bowl was born here and it is still made and painted by hand.
Still in Locmaria, admire dresses and other items exhibited in the Pascal Jouen Embroidery School. You can also discover how the famous crêpes dentelles are made at the Quimper biscuit factory.
Continue your cultural and gourmet journey on the Cider Route. Stop at Kinkiz Manor. Here, cider is made from 25 varieties of apples. Taste the products that are made using a traditional method.
End the day at Le Sistrot cider bistro.

The AOC Cider Route in Cornouaille allows you to enter production sites and talk with local producers.
Do you prefer beer ? At La Baleine Déshydratée, in the Locmaria neighbourhood, the beer taps are connected. An original concept!

Be part of the painting, in Concarneau and Pont-Aven

This morning, direction Concarneau. At Place Duquesne, get on the ferry that will take you to the foot of the walled town. Along the quays, watch the colourful toing and froing of the fishing boats that inspired painters from the 1850s. Cross the drawbridge and plunge into the historic centre of the “Blue town”.
In the afternoon, go to Pont-Aven. Like Gauguin, Sérusier and Maufra, you’ll be delighted by the “city of painters” nestled in its lush estuary. Landscapes, lights, docked boats, mazes of little streets and a floral walk lined with wash houses all form a picturesque décor.
To absorb the artistic life in Pont-Aven even more, go into the museum. It has a rich collection of some 4,500 works!Lastly, don’t leave without tasting the Traou Mad, literally “good things”: biscuits made with good Breton butter!

Get up at dawn and see what goes on behind the scenes of the fishing industry during a guided tour of Concarneau fish market, the leading tuna port in Europe and the third for fresh fish.
Stop at Riec-sur-Bélon for lunch. On the port, go to Chez Jacky or the Ferme les Huitrières du Château de Bélon to taste flat Belon oysters.

We like

Taking time to stroll around the Locmaria district in Quimper, which offers traditions, art, gastronomy, heritage and scenery.
Following in the footsteps of the Pont-Aven painters, from the Gloanec boarding house where they stayed, to the alleyways of Bois d’Amour where they set up their easels. Trémalo chapel, with a curious asymmetric roof, contains a multi-coloured Christ that inspired Gauguin’s yellow Christ.

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