Pluguffan is a commune in the Finistère department, in Brittany, 8 km west of Quimper.
Its 32 km² territory belongs to the cultural and historical province of Cornouaille, on the edge of Bigouden country. It is always verdant and predominantly rural, covered with 64% cultivated land and 15% grassland. In addition, there are still more than 60 hectares of forest areas.
Already occupied during the Neolithic era (around - 5000 BC), as evidenced by dolmens and tumulus, then in Antiquity (Roman pottery was unearthed), the village appeared in the Middle Ages. It is then a parish dependent on Penhars. Later, Pluguffan is disputed between the Marquis of Rosmadec and the Abbey of Kerlot.
In the 20th century, the town benefited from the growth of the Quimper conurbation. It hosts a few industries and above all an airport which still contributes to its reputation today... A real small town in the countryside with 4100 inhabitants, Pluguffan has a leisure offer to take into account during a stay in the region, between Quimper and the beaches (Bénodet is 10 km away!).
In terms of heritage, the locality has several protected sites listed in the Inventory. This is the case of the Kerascoet manor, rebuilt in the 16th century by the Kerguélen family. Property of the mayor of Pluguffan under the First Empire, the estate was subsequently dismembered before being bought and restored after the Second World War: the park was then reforested and a French garden was laid out there. The property is always private. As for the manor of Kériner, also protected, it dates from the 16th century and was greatly altered in the 19th century. To mention, still on the civil level, the manor of Kerfeneg erected in 1880: it served as a residence for the seminarians of the diocese and today houses the headquarters of a society. We should also note the Boissière manor which has preserved a 16th century turret...
As far as religious heritage is concerned, the oldest parts of the Saint-Cuffan parish church date from the Romanesque period (12th, 13th centuries). Rebuilt in the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries, its 1587 Renaissance-style porch is topped by a meeting room and its bell tower, from the same period. Inside, the vault of the nave has remained Romanesque, and are housed in gilded and polychrome wooden statues representing the Virgin and Saint Corentin (Bishop of Quimper). A 16th century stained glass window has also been preserved. According to regional tradition, an enclosure with Calvary (16th century) adjoins the church which is accessed by a triumphal arch. More recent, the Notre-Dame de la Grâce chapel was built in 1685 and then enlarged in 1867. It notably houses a fresco, polychrome statues, a superb stained glass window dedicated to the Virgin (19th century). A votive fountain adjoins the chapel where a very busy pardon always takes place on the first weekend of September.
In addition to the Ménez Liaven dolmen, crosses, wayside crosses (some from the 16th century), mills and ovens which testify to the rural prosperity of yesteryear are visible in the town and its surroundings.
In terms of culture, activities are regularly scheduled at the media library: contact +33 2 98 94 06 45.
For athletes, a skate park is freely accessible and tennis courts can be reserved with the local club: contact +33 6 06 42 31 69.
Fans of hiking or biking are also very spoiled in the town. They will be able to join the outings of the Pluguffan cyclo-club (information on +33 2 98 84 02 97) and the walking association (contact +33 6 79 03 99 58).
The fact remains that on Pluguffan, no less than 18 km of marked trails are available, dedicated to bucolic landscapes and hedgerows, wooded areas or heritage. Two circuits are particularly designed for a family audience: "The tour of the Bourg" (5.5 km), marked out by 15 educational terminals in the form of an interpretive trail and "The paths tell us" (6.5 km). In addition, an 18 km circuit is specially designed for mountain bikers, not to mention the greenway between the town and Pont-l'Abbé, also accessible to pedestrians, built on an old railway line. Other routes join Quimper or the coast. Maps and information on +33 2 98 53 04 05 or +33 2 98 94 01 11.
Quimper Cornouaille airport, which has contributed to the growth of the town, remains a major asset for Pluguffan. Created between the wars to train pilots, in the 1960s it became a vector of economic development for the region. Many commercial lines were then created, particularly to Paris Orly. Equipped with a terminal modernized in 1987 and two runways of 2150 and 1250 m, the infrastructure covers a hundred hectares. After exceeding 150,000 annual passengers at the start of the 21st century, due to competition from Brest airport, commercial traffic slowed down even before the Covid pandemic. However, there are still regular connections with Paris and London and in summer, flights are scheduled to Corsica, in particular. Information on commercial flights on +33 2 98 94 30 30. In addition, a skydiving club is based on the site (information on +33 2 98 56 18 44) and the Quimper flying club which offers leisure flights (to fly over including the coast and the islands), first flights and flight training: contact +33 2 98 94 05 22.
