Poitiers (Vienne)

The two poles of communal life in Poitiers are the tree-lined place du Maréchal-Leclerc, with its popular cafés and lively outdoor culture, and place Charles-de-Gaulle to the north, where a big and bustling food and clothes market takes place.

Poitiers (Vienne) mini guide

Poitiers is a town on the Clain River in west central France. It is a commune and the capital (préfecture) of the Vienne département and of the Poitou-Charentes région. The old town occupies the slopes and summit of a plateau which rises 130 feet above the level of the streams by which it is surrounded on three sides.

The town is picturesque and its streets are interesting for their remains of ancient architecture, especially of the Romanesque period, and the memories of great historical events.

The main square in Poitiers is place du Maréchal Leclerc, full of cafés and lined with trees, and then there are streets with half-timbered houses leading north to the market square of place Charles-de-Gaulle.

Nearby is the Église Notre-Dame-la-Grande, one of Poitiers' fine churches. Work started on it during Eleanor of Aquitaine's reign in the 12th century and this Romanesque church is one of France's finest. The western façade is particularly elaborately decorated.

The rue Carnot leading south from place du Maréchal Leclerc is a good place to go to find a restaurant and it is also the place to head for live music and nightlife.

Poitiers is strategically situated on the Seuil du Poitou, a shallow zone joining the Armorican to the Central Massif and connecting the Aquitaine Basin to the Paris Basin. The site of Poitiers is a vast promontory between the valleys of Boivre and Clain.

The town of Poitiers was called Limonum during the time of the Roman Conquests. Edward the Black Prince of England won a great victory at the battle of Poitiers in 1356 and later on captured the French king, John II and his son, Philip the Bold of Burgundy. This was considered to be the second of England's three great victories in the hundred years of war.

Joan of Arc came to Poitiers in 1429 where she was questioned.

Charles VII was announced King of France in Poitiersin 1432 and he founded the university of Poitiers.

In the centre of the town there is a charming park called 'Parc Blossac', built in the 18th century, with French and English gardens, and small zoo with some wild birds and small animals.

In the town there are other green spaces such as Beaulieu Urban Park Botanical Garden and Prés Mignons Park, where you can relax, enjoy a walk and unwind.

If you enjoy shopping you will like the 'centre cordeliers' which is located in the town centre. In this shopping mall you will find various stores. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 7.30pm.

Nearby is Futuroscope which is a theme park and educational centre.

Guide point	Details
Department:	South West France > Poitou Charentes > Vienne >
Location:	Poitiers is located in Poitou Charentes in South West France
Public Transport:	Poitiers has a railway station on the TGV route between Paris and Bordeaux. The station is in the valley to the west of the old town centre. Services run to Angoulême, Limoges and La Rochelle in addition to Paris and Bordeaux. Poitiers - Biard Airport is located 2.4 km west of Poitiers and offers flights to Lyon and London-Stansted.
Tourist information website:	http://en.tourisme-vienne.com/poitiers.php
Tourist information contact email:	accueil@ot-poitiers.fr
Tourist information switch board number:	33 (0) 5 49 41 21 24
Tourist information address:	45, place Charles de Gaulle BP377 86009 Poitiers
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