The short version
- TGVs from Paris Montparnasse reach Quimper in 3 hours 32 minutes and Brest in 3 hours 26 at the fastest, about 11 trains a day each.
- Air France flies from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Brest all year, up to 28 flights a week. Bus 16 runs from the airport to the center for €1.70.
- Plan on a car. The Pointe du Raz, Locronan, Concarneau and the Crozon peninsula are 25 to 70 kilometers apart in different directions from Quimper.
- At the Pointe du Raz, parking is €8 a day from April to October, and a €1 shuttle covers the 800 meters to the point.
- In Quimper, the Musée départemental breton is €9 and closed on Monday outside July and August.
- Concarneau’s walled island town, the Ville Close, is open to walk in; its fishing museum is closed for works.
What to see
Start in Quimper. The cathedral of Saint-Corentin was begun in 1239, and the people of Quimper paid for its two spires in the 1850s. Walk the quays of the Odet, the old streets around the cathedral, and the covered market, Les Halles Saint-François.
Drive to Locronan, a granite village that grew rich weaving sailcloth for the navy in the 17th and 18th centuries. About thirty films have been shot there, including Polanski’s Tess.
Go out to the Pointe du Raz, a Grand Site de France, for the cliffs and La Vieille lighthouse on its rock offshore. Stay on the marked paths; the furthest tip is off limits. A one-hour guided walk from the semaphore costs €5.
In Concarneau, cross the old drawbridge into the Ville Close, a walled islet with ramparts, towers, shops and restaurants. The little ferry across the harbor is €1.50.
On the Crozon peninsula, walk the cliffs at Pen-Hir and Cap de la Chèvre on the GR34 coastal path. A cliff collapse in February 2026 closed the stretch between l’Aber and Postolonnec, so check before you set out.
Getting there and around
Trains to Quimper and Brest leave from Paris Montparnasse; some are direct and some change at Rennes.
Coaches link Quimper with the Pointe du Raz, Concarneau and the Crozon peninsula for €2.50 a ride; check the timetables before you count on them. Quimper’s city buses are €1.50.
A car is the practical choice. Quimper to Crozon is an hour, and Brest to Crozon is an hour.
When to go
Finistère is mild and wet, with the most rain from autumn to spring and strong wind on the headlands. Summer is the busiest season.
The Festival de Cornouaille brings Breton music and dance to Quimper in late July; in 2026 it ran July 23 to 26.
The Pointe du Raz shuttle and visitor center run from spring to the end of October. The Musée breton closes from January 4 to February 5, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Finistère from Paris?
Take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Quimper, 3 hours 32 minutes at the fastest, or to Brest, 3 hours 26. Or fly from Charles de Gaulle to Brest. Then rent a car.
Do you need a car in Finistère?
Yes, for most trips. The headlands, villages and harbors are spread out, and the Crozon tourist office tells train travelers to take a coach from Brest or Quimper or rent a car. Quimper itself is easy on foot.
Is the Pointe du Raz free?
Walking there is free. From April to October, parking costs €8 a day, and the shuttle from the car park to the point is €1 a trip.
What should I eat in Finistère?
Order buckwheat galettes and crepes with Cornouaille cider, a slice of kouign-amann, the Breton butter cake, and far breton, the dense custard flan. On the coast, have langoustines from Le Guilvinec or Concarneau.
Is there a tour I can add in Brittany?
Yes, on the north coast. Our Mont-Saint-Michel day tour from Paris meets at Saint-Malo station, with the abbey and its 300 steps, free time in the village, and stops in Saint-Malo and Dinan, eight guests at most.
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