Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1864 through the bequest of Count Jean-Marie de Silguy, who gave his collections to the city of Quimper. The present building, erected at the end of the 1860s, opened to the public in 1872 on Place Saint-Corentin, opposite the cathedral.

Major alterations followed: a renovation in 1976, then an extension and restructuring between 1991 and 1993 by the architect Jean-Paul Philippon. On that occasion the painted decoration by Jean-Julien Lemordant for the former Hôtel de l'Épée, created between 1905 and 1909, was reinstalled in a room of the museum.

The collections cover Northern schools of the 17th century, Italian works and an important French series from the 18th and 19th centuries. They also include a remarkable group devoted to Brittany and the Pont-Aven School, around a hundred 20th-century works, and holdings linked to Max Jacob and Jean Moulin. The museum has been closed since October 2024 for energy-efficiency renovation work and the redesign of the route.

Highlights

• European paintings from the 17th to the 19th century (Boucher, Fragonard, Corot)
• Major collection of Breton painting and artists of the Pont-Aven School
• Lemordant decoration from the former Hôtel de l'Épée
• Holdings devoted to Max Jacob and Jean Moulin

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente (fermée pour travaux) – European and Breton collections, including the Pont-Aven School; the route will be entirely redesigned when the museum reopens.

Founded

1864

Operated by

Ville de Quimper

Director

Guillaume Ambroise

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A new accessible entrance lobby is planned as part of the works. Before closing, the museum announced spaces accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, adapted seating and accessible toilets.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

A shop and new reception areas are planned as part of the redevelopment.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit