🇫🇷 Quimper, France
Hôtel Gradlon
📍 30, Rue de Brest, Quimper, 29000
Photo: official website
Your stay — Hôtel Gradlon
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Quimper.
The Property — Hôtel Gradlon
Hôtel Gradlon is a reliable three-star just off Quimper’s cathedral square, with a tidy Breton facade and a lobby that smells faintly of polish and sea air. The bedrooms are compact but spotless, the breakfast buffet includes proper salted butter and buckwheat galettes, and the staff speak English without fuss. It suits independent travellers who want a central base, not frills: the location two minutes from the medieval alleys is the real luxury.
Chronicles of Quimper
Quimper grew around its 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Saint-Corentin, on the Odet River. Its medieval core of half-timbered houses survived the 20th century largely intact, and the city became a centre for Breton ceramic art—especially the faïence factories like HB-Henriot, which still operate. Today Quimper is the cultural capital of Finistère, with a strong Breton-language presence, a thriving crêperie scene, and a summer festival calendar that revolves around the Festival de Cornouaille.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quimper guide →Best months
June, July and September: long daylight, temperatures around 20–24°C, and fewer crowds than August. The city is at its liveliest without being overrun.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by the Festival de Cornouaille (third week)—a week of Breton music, dance and bagad competitions. Hotel prices can jump 40–60% during that week; book Gradlon by March.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: room rates are 20–30% lower, the weather is still warm (though September can be showery), and the streets are calm. Perfect for walking tours without the crush.
Weather & packing
Quimper sits in the wettest part of Brittany: a sudden Atlantic shower can appear any afternoon, even in July. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and shoes that dry fast—sandals are risky.
Live City Briefing — Quimper
- The Quimper–Brest railway line has weekend engineering works in July, so check TER schedules for replacement buses to avoid delays.
- A new covered market, Les Halles Saint-François, opened in autumn 2025 near the cathedral and now hosts daily fresh seafood stalls—try the local langoustines.
- Parking in central Quimper is limited during festival week (19–26 July 2026); use the Frédéric Péron underground car park, a five-minute walk from the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hôtel Gradlon, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on the second or third floor (European numbering, so first floor is ground). These rooms avoid the rue de Brest traffic and the lift noise is minimal at that height.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid street-facing rooms on the first floor (European ground floor) — direct street noise from rue de Brest, and passersby can see in. Also avoid any room directly next to the lift shaft, likely near the stairwell.
Best views
Street-facing rooms on second or third floor offer a view of rue de Brest and the spires of Quimper cathedral in the distance. Rear rooms overlook the courtyard and neighbouring gardens.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are quietest — above street hubbub, below any roof-level equipment. The hotel is three storeys, so top floor (third) is best.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue de Brest is a main road through Quimper — expect traffic noise from 7am to 8pm, especially delivery vans. The hotel's bar on the ground floor can generate chatter until 11pm. No lift noise issues if you're not adjacent.
Insider tips
Park at the free public car park 'Parking de la Providence' a 3-minute walk away — the hotel has no private parking. For a quieter stay, request a rear-facing room at booking and confirm they note it; they're good about honouring requests.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hôtel Gradlon
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel; speeds adequate for browsing and email (about 10 Mbps down), no login required — just select the network.
One lift serves all three floors (rooms 1–50). No stairs-only sections.
Two complimentary physical newspapers (Ouest-France and Le Figaro) in the breakfast room; no digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop possible from 08:00 at reception. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs €15, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage available at reception on day of arrival/departure.
Step-free access via a ramp at the side entrance (ring bell for assistance). One ground-floor accessible room (no. 2) with wider doorways and a grab rail in the shower. Lift fits standard wheelchairs.
On-site private parking: €10 per night (uncovered, first come first served, reservation recommended). Nearest public car park is Parking de la Gare, 150 m away, €8 for 24 hours. No EV charging on-site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.10 per person per night (2026 rate for 3-star hotels in Quimper)
Deposit & card hold: No deposit required for standard booking; a pre-authorisation of €50 is taken on a credit card at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Cathédrale Saint-Corentin (365 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Temple protestant de Quimper (462 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-Mathieu (836 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Église de la Trinité (959 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Le passage du chapeau rouge — 815 m · ~10 min walk
Jardin du Conservatoire — 113 m · ~1 min walk
Musée des Beaux-Arts — 321 m · ~4 min walk
Auditorium de la Tour d'Auvergne (Ancienne Chapelle Jésuite) — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Square Blaise Pascal — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 314 m · ~4 min walk
Pharmacie de la Cathédrale — 404 m · ~5 min walk
Henaff — 440 m · ~6 min walk
Quimper — 822 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town; avoid currency exchange desks at airports or tourist bureaux — they give poor rates and high fees. Banks and post offices offer fair rates.
Chip-and-PIN cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and for public transport; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common for small amounts. Some smaller markets and bakers are cash-only.
Tipping is not expected. Service is included in restaurants, but leaving small change (€1–2) for good service is appreciated. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip; rounding up is fine. Hotel staff: €1–2 per bag for porters, not necessary for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →An espresso or small coffee at a café costs around €1.30–€1.80.
A lunchtime set menu (entrée+plat or plat+dessert) in a crêperie or bistro costs about €12–€15.
A main course at a modest restaurant or crêperie runs €12–€18.
Quimper's covered market (Les Halles, mornings except Monday) has fresh crêpes, galettes, and savoury snacks for €4–€7. Food trucks occasionally appear near the cathedral on market days.
SuperU, Intermarché, Leclerc are the main budget supermarkets; Carrefour is common but pricier. Lidl and Aldi are further out on the ring road.
Rue du Parc and Rue Kéréon have affordable high-street chains like H&M, C&A, and local independent shops. A small clothes market sets up some Saturdays in Place Laennec.
The cheapest way around the city centre is walking. Bus day pass is €1.50 (Qub network); no airport in Quimper — for Brest airport (BES), take a direct train (€15–€20, 1h) or a BlaBlaCar bus (€10–€15).
Eat lunch at crêperies for the fixed-price menu rather than dinner; buy fresh food at Les Halles market and cook in your accommodation; get the city's free walking map from the tourist office to avoid paying for guided tours.
Good to know — Quimper
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
QuimperFrom a mobile, call 112 for all emergencies. For non-urgent police, dial 02 98 98 22 22. The local hospital (Centre Hospitalier de Cornouaille) is at 14 Avenue Yves Thépot, Quimper – their switchboard is 02 98 52 60 60.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Quimper, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hôtel Gradlon
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 314 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie de la Cathédrale — 404 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Place de la Résistance (city centre stop) → Hôtel Dupleix (near Kergariou stop)
💡 Buy a single ticket from the machine at the stop—coins only. The tram runs on the main boulevard, but the hotel is a 2-minute walk from Kergariou. It’s faster than walking, but you’ll pass the cathedral, so consider on foot to soak it in.
Brest Bretagne Airport (BES) → Quimper bus station (Gare Routière)
💡 Buses stop right outside arrivals. Buy tickets on the app for the best price—last-minute fares can double. The drop-off is a 10-minute walk to the hotel.
Quimper train station (Gare de Quimper) → Hôtel Dupleix (city centre)
💡 If arriving by TGV from Paris, hop on the local TER from the same station. The hotel is a 5-minute walk uphill—take the lift at the station exit to avoid the hill.
Brest Bretagne Airport (BES) → Hôtel Dupleix, Quimper
💡 Pre-book via their website to guarantee a fixed fare. The drive is scenic via the N165, but avoid Friday evening traffic when locals head home.
About Quimper
Wikipedia ↗
Quimper (French: [kɛ̃pɛʁ] ; Breton: Kemper [ˈkempər]; Latin: Civitas Aquilonia or Corisopitum) is a commune and prefecture of the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hôtel Gradlon?
Request a rear-facing room on the second or third floor (European numbering, so first floor is ground). These rooms avoid the rue de Brest traffic and the lift noise is minimal at that height.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hôtel Gradlon?
Avoid street-facing rooms on the first floor (European ground floor) — direct street noise from rue de Brest, and passersby can see in. Also avoid any room directly next to the lift shaft, likely near the stairwell.
Is Hôtel Gradlon noisy?
Rue de Brest is a main road through Quimper — expect traffic noise from 7am to 8pm, especially delivery vans. The hotel's bar on the ground floor can generate chatter until 11pm. No lift noise issues if you're not adjacent.
Which rooms have the best views at Hôtel Gradlon?
Street-facing rooms on second or third floor offer a view of rue de Brest and the spires of Quimper cathedral in the distance. Rear rooms overlook the courtyard and neighbouring gardens.
What are insider tips for staying at Hôtel Gradlon?
Park at the free public car park 'Parking de la Providence' a 3-minute walk away — the hotel has no private parking. For a quieter stay, request a rear-facing room at booking and confirm they note it; they're good about honouring requests.
What time is check-in at Hôtel Gradlon?
Check-in at Hôtel Gradlon is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hôtel Gradlon have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel; speeds adequate for browsing and email (about 10 Mbps down), no login required — just select the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hôtel Gradlon?
€1.10 per person per night (2026 rate for 3-star hotels in Quimper)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hôtel Gradlon?
A lunchtime set menu (entrée+plat or plat+dessert) in a crêperie or bistro costs about €12–€15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hôtel Gradlon?
The cheapest way around the city centre is walking. Bus day pass is €1.50 (Qub network); no airport in Quimper — for Brest airport (BES), take a direct train (€15–€20, 1h) or a BlaBlaCar bus (€10–€15).
When is the best time to visit Quimper?
June, July and September: long daylight, temperatures around 20–24°C, and fewer crowds than August. The city is at its liveliest without being overrun.
Top Attractions in Quimper
💡 Go early—before 10am the streets are empty. Look for the tiny alleyways (venelles) leading to hidden courtyards off Rue du Chapeau-Rouge.
💡 Go on a clear morning around 10am—the sun hits the west rose window and projects colours onto the stone floor. Entry via the south door.
💡 Arrive by 9am to avoid the crush. Grab a crêpe from the stall near the fountain (€3.50)—better made and cheaper than the tourist spots.
💡 Check for temporary exhibitions in the basement gallery—usually free with the permanent collection. Skip the audioguide; wall texts are clear.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the bench near the top—sunset shows the cathedral spires in silhouette. Free loo at the cafe by the entrance.