• Brezhoneg
  • Brezhoneg

The Breton Museum

The Breton Museum showcases the rich artistic and ethnic heritage of Finistère

Located in the Palace of the Bishops of Cornouaille, between the Saint Corentin Cathedral and the quays of the Odet, the Breton Museum provides an excellent introduction to the area.

Following a display of prehistoric art (gold necklaces etc.), the first rooms are devoted to life in the Gallo-Roman city of the Osismii (sculptures, rare coins, vases and urns, silver platters, etc.) The Ancient Breton galleries show examples of Roman and Gothic sculpture, stained glass, a special collection of gold coins from the kingdoms of France and England, buried in the 14th century and only recently recovered, as well as rare gold coins from the region. The upper floors are reserved for folk arts from Finistère: showing the variety and splendour of traditional costumes, furniture and decorative everyday objects.

One of the Museum’s major attractions is the collection of over 300 pieces of Quimper pottery and stoneware, displayed in two rooms and illustrating production from the 17th century to the present day.

Guided tours, workshops for children and lectures are organised by the museum.

Created by the Finistère archaeological society in 1846, this museum was, in the 1860‘s and 1870’s, one of the first in France to pay attention to regional ethnography and folk art. The collection of archaeological objects, dating from then to the present day; make this museum the main archive for history, ethnography and regional arts in Finistère.

Opening hours

- From June to September: every day from 9am to 6pm;
- Low season, from October to May: every day except Mondays, Sunday mornings and public holidays, from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm.

Prices

- Full price: 4€
- Reduced price: 2.50€
- Free for under 18s, unemployed and beneficiaries of the RSA welfare allowance, upon presentation of documentation. Free on Sunday afternoons from mid October until May.

The Breton Museum

1, rue du Roi Gradlon
29000 Quimper
Tel. 02.98.95.21.60
Fax 02.98.95.89.69
musee.breton@cg29.fr

More information on the site du Musée breton.