Saint-François Market Hall

When it comes to good food in Quimper, one name comes up almost every time: the Saint-François market hall. Locals swear by it, claiming it brings together all the warmth, flavor, and quality of the city and its surrounding region. Beyond being a foodie favorite, it’s also a place steeped in history—176 years of it, to be exact. Back in the 1840s, the municipality decided to build a covered market in the city center. The perfect spot was quickly found along the banks of the Steïr River. Before construction could begin, the last remnants of the old Cordeliers convent, founded on this very site in the 13th century, were cleared away. Bright and brand new, the Saint-François market hall officially opened around 1845 and was immediately embraced as one of the key gathering places in Quimper. So much so that when a fire broke out in 1976, it was nothing short of a tragedy. Thankfully, just three years later, a new market hall rose from the ashes—the very one we know today. Inspired by the old market halls of the region, it features an elegant wooden framework that calls to mind the hull of a boat. Still, let’s be honest: people don’t come here to admire the architecture—they come to eat. Open every day from Monday to Sunday, and especially lively on Saturdays, market day, the hall is packed with vendors offering colorful, high-quality products. It’s the perfect place to shop, snack, and soak up the local atmosphere. While the current hall is starting to show its age, plans are already in place to modernize and relocate it to Place de la Providence, with construction set to begin in 2026.