Cornouaille ?

The people of Quimper will proudly tell you that a visit to their city is also a chance to discover what they like to call the capital of Cornouaille. But unless you’re Breton, you might be wondering—what exactly is Cornouaille? Let’s break it down. Cornouaille is one of the nine historic regions, or “pays,” that once made up Brittany. Between the 5th and 7th centuries, during the great Anglo-Saxon invasions, waves of Celtic migrants fled from Cornwall in the United Kingdom and settled in southern Armorica—what we now call Brittany. The southern Finistère peninsula, which resembled the shape of their homeland, inspired them to name the area Cornuallia. In Breton, it became Kernev, and in French, Cornouaille. This historic region stretches from Landerneau to Quimperlé, covering nearly a quarter of all historic Brittany, two-thirds of Finistère, and even parts of the Côtes-d’Armor and Morbihan departments. Not exactly a small corner of the map! Deeply alive in the regional identity—and especially in Quimper—Cornouaille is a name that carries centuries of tradition. Want a true taste of it? Then don’t miss the Festival of Cornouaille, held each July in Quimper. First launched in 1923 by Louis Le Bourhis, the festival celebrates both ancient and modern expressions of Breton culture, while also welcoming global music influences. Over six lively days, the city comes alive with everything from apéro concerts and sea shanties to the election of the Queen of Cornouaille and energetic performances by bagadoù—Breton traditional bands. And the grand finale? A spectacular parade featuring folk groups from all over Brittany. It’s an unmissable celebration of heritage, pride, and culture.