And why not upgrading this wonderful old post early on in my blog from one of my favorite cities in all Bretagne, Quimper. We have come here often and love it. Hope you enjoy the revised version as pictures are in the individual sight posts. Well searching for those Christmas markets or marché de Noêl in my region, we came back to visit Quimper. It is a vibrant city, always lively, folks out even on cold days like today, and great hub of transport from bus to train to easy car parking by the quais at the Odet. 6 hours parking for 3 euros not bad. Therefore, here is my take on Christmas at Quimper !!! Hope you enjoy it as I
The tourist office , it is easily visible from the parking on the other side of the Odet river across from city center. Place de la libération along allée de lokmaria. However, this time, we came here for the Christmas market and were disappointed that it was only a carrousel, one stand selling chichis or churros ,and croustillons lovely delicious rounds of flour dip batter hot and just for the day , we tried them and very good. Then ,the there was a nice size ice skating ring where the youngsters were having fun all day long…… And that’s it. However, what we saw as always is a vibrant busy shopping city full of folks from all over the region and some from UK, we notice. The Streets were full of shoppers, and the restos bars full as well. And this is nice.
We revisited the Cathedrale Saint Corentin, which is along worth coming here, huge, lovely, architecture wonders, we went Inside of course, and around the back as I go thru the chapel just behind it, there were getting ready for the festivities tomorrow of Saint Corentin; the chapel is not a major work as needed rénovations but a lof of the faithful was there anyway. The place was been clean, flowers put in vases, and lots of volunteers. I spoked with an elderly lady very nice and very enthusiastic of her festivities tomorrow. The faith is big here.
We took lots of walks which what we like to do and know the city better, into the Halles St François the covered market, the chocolates of Georges larnicol , Quimper is grand, lovely confections of a Christmas Santa all in chocolates for 32€ we grabbed it!
We stop by our favorite local souvenir shop, L’Art de Cornouaille;right at place St Corentin; wonderful kitchen towels for our home. and we grabbed it!
We went for a dozen macarons of the best in the area, Les Macarons de Philomène, consider the first macaroniers of France !!! at nice quaint old rue Kéréon,
There was a small outdoor market going on by Place Terre au Duc, just to the right of pl Corentin, but nothing took our fancy there, and we did check the nice store Eurodif, department store local store (now name change to Bouchara). At rue du roi Gradlon off pl corentin, nice if you like to take a look.
We went to our favorite fashion spot Armand Thiery, in town there is a women and men section apart . The men store is out of city center by the D34 road, so we decided to skip to our local one in Vannes to do the shopping there,and shopping we did huge, for Christmas and for everybody…::)
However, before leaving in between we had our lunch; as we had try several restos already we decided to go for a new one,and boy/girl did we hit a jackpot. This is absolutely why we are in France, traditional service, decoration and friendly. It is tucked in an old street 4 rue du Guéodet, in between the Cathedral and the hotel de ville; Les Cariatides is just wonderful. The old house has a bar on street level,and the dining on the first level, quant with chimneys and old Breton trinkets all over. The kitchen is near tables and we had a great server who was not needed to ask anything, all was there. The food was serve in intervals as we like it nothing rush; we had our apéritifs with Chivas Regal whisky, Martini reds, Porto red, and Kir Breton, then went to the meal, from steaks nicely done with home made fries! to our delicious well done house burger maison and home made fries. Salads of hot goat cheese, chévre chaud was good too. All wash down with our favorite restaurant bottle of Rioja Spain bodegas Navajas of Navarrete, simply great at 15€ the bottle. red wine of course. All that tops by desserts of créme brulée, and panacottas, end with expresso coffee all for 22€ per person a real bargain really worth the price many times over. We have returned! I have to give you the webpage: https://www.lescariatides.fr/
The Quimper tourist office on its heritage: https://www.quimper-tourisme.bzh/en/quimper-ville-dart-et-dhistoire/
The city of Quimper on its must see: https://www.quimper.bzh/604-lieux-remarquables-a-visiter.htm
Cheers and Merry Christmas to all, wishing that the New Year will fulfils all your life’s baskets. Joyeux Noël à tous mes lecteurs et que la nouvelle année remplit complètement le panier de votre vie. Feliz Navidad a todos mis lectores y que el Nuevo Año le llene de dicha para todos. Feliz Natal a todos os meus leitores e que o ano novo preencha completamente o cesto com a sua vida! Again, hope you enjoy this post on Christmas at Quimper !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!