The Épée Passage

The Odet River often leaves a strong impression—its beauty and peaceful setting make it a perfect place for a stroll. During the Belle Époque, its banks were the preferred retreat of aristocratic families, who built grand mansions and private estates along the water. In the heart of Quimper, Rue du Parc—the very street you’re on—followed the same trend, frequented by the city’s bourgeois elite who came to walk beneath the chestnut trees. When it was time to dine, wealthy industrialists, writers, and politicians would gather at the oldest café in town: the Café de l’Épée, still open today at number 14 Rue du Parc. Before settling at a table—beneath murals painted by Jean-Julien Lemordant on the theme of Brittany—guests would first park their carriages in the nearby Épée Passage. And that’s exactly where you are now, standing at its entrance. From a distance, the passage is easy to spot thanks to its wrought-iron and glass canopy, topped with a sign inspired by traditional Quimper faience. Step inside and you’ll be swept back into a Belle Époque atmosphere. The elegant glass roofs are etched with maxims, and sunlight filters through to illuminate colorful mosaic tiles underfoot. At the halfway point, a small courtyard opens up, marked by the monogram of a former hotel—and above it all rises a stunning glass dome, a lasting witness to the style and spirit of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Épée Passage truly is a hidden gem of Quimper—full of charm, history, and quiet elegance.