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Poitiers - City Of Culture At The Heart Of France
The city of Poitiers is situated in the department of the Vienne, in the west-central part of France. It is the smallest of French cities with a population of only about 130 000. However the city is well situated both geographically and economically, and is only an hour's ride from Paris on the high-speed TGV train.
The city of Poitiers is situated in the department of the Vienne, in the west-central part of France. It is the smallest of French cities with a population of only about 130 000. However the city is well situated both geographically and economically, and is only an hour’s ride from Paris on the high-speed TGV train.
The name Poitiers is also synonymous with three major battles. The first was the Battle of Poitiers in 507 in which King Clovis I attacked the Visigoths under their King Alaric II. The second Battle of Poitiers took place in 732, this time with Charles Martel at the head of the Francs against Moorish troops. But perhaps the most well-known Battle of Poitiers , at least in the Anglophone world, was that of 1356, when the Black Prince at the head of the English army defeated King John of France.
Poitiers is also well-known as an ancient university city. In fact the University of Poitiers was founded as early as 1431, and has been the destination of many of the greatest European philosophers and academics for centuries. Indeed the University of Poitiers, with its faculties of science, history, geography, languages and school of engineering, is one of the major university cities of France, with students making up about 14% of the entire population.
During the summer months, you will encounter spectacles on the corner of every street and in every square. These are often free and, most of the time, are in the open air, in public gardens, on the monumental esplanade or on caf terraces. It is a real opportunity to meet the locals - from theatre, the Musette ball in the old style, to exhibitions or debates in the “philosophical cafs”. In this way, it’s plain to see that art and culture are alive and well throughout Poitiers.
Poitiers is also home to several museums, galleries and exhibition centers. Of particular note is the Baptistry of St John which houses an important collection of sculptures and tombs from the Carolingian and Merovingian eras.
Dance also plays a major part in the cultural life of the city of Poitiers. Dance in all its forms and guises takes place throughout the year in a range of interesting and exciting spectacles, including various festivals of Dance. But this is not limited to classical dance - contemporary dance is also well represented, resulting in a full programme which generates much interest with citizens, students and tourists alike.
As for theatre, Poitiers and the theatre are a real love story, whether your interest is amateur or professional. With more than twenty theatre companies, a rich and diverse programming, festivals, meetings between the public, artists actors and directors, theatrical creations in Poitiers always play a major role in the life of the city. And for all this artistic activity, a large and appreciative audience is always guaranteed.
To visit Poitiers and not visit the internationally renowned Futuroscope Park, would be a great error, since Futuroscope is one of the major attraction of France as a whole. It is certainly an ideal venue for short-duration holidays if you have children in-tow. Not only is this European Park of the Image fascinating as an entertainment spectacle, but also from an educational perspective, with much of the latest imaging technology making its first appearance at the park before being deployed elsewhere in the world.
As for history, not for nothing is Poitiers also known as the “city of a hundred bells”. The city is home to approaching a hundred monuments in the city center alone. From the attractive medieval streets to Roman-style churches, from imposing Parisian-style boulevards to contemporary edifices, every historical period has left its stamp on the city, making the city a veritable architectural treasure-trove.
As for food, Poitiers certainly isn’t lacking in that area, since the many restaurants combine the best of both traditional country dishes and urban sophistication. Here you can eat as sophisticated or as rural as you like, with the traditional Poitiers farci dish holding pride of place. But don’t be surprised (or indeed afraid) at the many dishes available containing the ubiquitous frogs, snails and eels. This is France after all!
And here ends our little tour of the famous historical city of Poitiers. The city is an ideal place either to spend a few days surrounded by culture and history, or as a base and setting off point for western France and the Atlantic coast. Whatever your intentions, Poitiers has something for all tastes, young and old. Enjoy your visit!