Museum
Quimper Museum of Fine Arts
Quimper · Finistère
Facing the cathedral, one of Brittany’s great art museums holds European painting, the Pont-Aven School and Breton art. Closed since October 2024 for a major renovation, it is due to reopen in late autumn 2026.
- Suggested time
- About 2 hours once it reopens
- Type of place
- Fine arts museum, closed for an energy and museum renovation
- Atmosphere
- Artistic and historic, with strong Breton roots
- Getting there
- 40 place Saint-Corentin, 29000 Quimper, facing the cathedral. The museum is closed for works; follow the off-site programme and the reopening announcement.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 8/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 1/10
- Reduced mobility
- 5/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The Quimper Museum of Fine Arts holds a major place among Brittany’s museums. Facing the cathedral of Saint-Corentin, it holds European paintings from the 14th to the 20th century and a particularly important collection of works linked to Brittany, Cornouaille and the Pont-Aven School. The museum owes much of its origin to the bequest of Count Jean-Marie de Silguy, whose collection led to its creation in the 19th century. Through acquisitions and loans, the collections grew with French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch paintings, and then many works by artists who came to work in Brittany. The Pont-Aven School is one of its iconic groups. Paul Gauguin, Paul Sérusier, Henry Moret and other artists let you follow the experiments that renewed painting at the end of the 19th century. The museum also holds remarkable decorative paintings by Jean-Julien Lemordant from the former Hôtel de l’Épée. Since October 2024, the building has been closed for major works. They aim to sharply reduce energy use, better regulate temperature and humidity for the works, improve the welcome, rethink the route and modernise the facilities. During the closure, the collections keep travelling. In 2026, twelve works linked to the Pont-Aven School are on show at the Musée de Pont-Aven. The new route will also feature Auguste Rodin’s La Défense, a large bronze that arrived in Quimper in June 2026 on loan from the Musée Rodin. The town has announced a reopening in late autumn 2026. Check the official announcement, the new opening hours, prices and visiting conditions before you go.
What you will see
- A large collection of European painting from the 14th to the 20th century.
- A major group of works from the Pont-Aven School.
- Works by Paul Gauguin, Paul Sérusier, Henry Moret and other artists linked to Brittany.
- Jean-Julien Lemordant’s monumental decorative paintings from the Hôtel de l’Épée.
- A museum founded on the bequest of Jean-Marie de Silguy.
- An exceptional location facing the cathedral of Saint-Corentin.
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- A major energy and museum renovation under way since 2024.
- Twelve works lent to the Musée de Pont-Aven during the closure in 2026.
- The arrival in 2026 of Auguste Rodin’s La Défense for the new route.
- A reopening announced for late autumn 2026.
Practical information
- Address
- 40 place Saint-Corentin, 29000 Quimper
- Pets
- Check the rules when the museum reopens.
- Accessibility
- Check the accessibility when the museum reopens after the works.
Tips on the spot
- The museum is closed for works: check the official reopening date before you plan a visit.
- The reopening has been announced for late autumn 2026.
- During the closure, some works can be seen in exhibitions and loans elsewhere.
- In 2026, twelve works are on show at the Musée de Pont-Aven.
- The new route will feature the large bronze La Défense by Auguste Rodin, which arrived in Quimper in June 2026.
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- Once it reopens, allow about 2 hours as a starting point.
- The museum is ideally located facing the cathedral, so it fits easily into a day in the historic centre.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Quimper Museum of Fine Arts open?
It has been closed for works since October 2024; the town has announced a reopening in late autumn 2026.
Why is the museum closed?
For an energy renovation, better conservation of the works, modernised facilities and a new route.
Where is the museum?
At 40 place Saint-Corentin, facing Quimper cathedral.
What are its main collections?
European painting, Breton art and above all a large group from the Pont-Aven School.
Can I see works by Gauguin and Sérusier?
The collections include major artists linked to the Pont-Aven School, including Gauguin and Sérusier, depending on the displays.
What are the Lemordant paintings?
Large decorative paintings by Jean-Julien Lemordant for the former Hôtel de l’Épée, now one of the museum’s iconic groups.
See also all the museums in Finistère.
Stay in Quimper
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Read in the journal
- City guideWhat to do in Quimper: the complete guideThe Cathédrale Saint-Corentin, the old town, the banks of the Odet, the Breton museum, Locronan and the Pointe du Raz: what to do in Quimper, the capital of Cornouaille.
- Winter holidaysWhat to do in Quimper during the February holidaysThe cathedral and the old town, the Breton museum, the Halles Saint-François, Locronan and the Pointe du Raz in winter: our ideas for the February 2027 holidays in Quimper.
- RainWhat to do in Quimper when it rainsThe Musée départemental breton, the Cathédrale Saint-Corentin, faience workshops and the Halles Saint-François: our ideas for a rainy day in Quimper, and what is closed.
Traveller reviews
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Photograph: El Funcionario · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons