The discovery of 6 000 year-old silex fragments proves that human settlement in the area dates back to that period. During the Roman era, Quimper was considered a part of the Osismii Gaulish territory. Mention is made of a bishop, Saint Corentin, in late 9th century documents; legend has it that the city owes its name, Quimper Corentin, to this character.

During the French Revolution the town itself was restricted to the limits of the cathedral.
For one day in 1940, Quimper became the capital of France, and during the War the French résistance was extremely active in the area.

Quimper's economy boomed in the post-war period thanks to the establishment of a healthy food industry and ceramic arts or earthenware factories. Faïencerie, or tin glazed earthenware, has been present since the 17th century, but the trade developed extensively in the 19th century and today their products have acquired an international reputation.