A historic French city with a Roman amphitheater as its main square. Home to a Gothic cathedral, narrow pedestrian streets, and numerous churches, including the 112-meter-tall Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul.
Poitiers, located in west-central France, is a city where you can walk cobblestone streets lined with Romanesque churches, half-timbered houses, and grand palaces. You'll find the 4th century baptistery, considered the oldest Christian building in France. With nearly a third of its population being students, Poitiers has an active atmosphere alongside its medieval buildings. You can visit places like the Palais des Comtes de Poitou, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, and the Church of Notre-Dame la Grande.
Exploring Poitiers' Historic Center
The compact historic center of Poitiers is easy to explore on foot. Start at Place du Maréchal-Leclerc, the main square lined with cafes. From there, walk down narrow medieval streets to discover buildings from different centuries. You'll come across the Palais des Comtes de Poitou, a 12th century palace that now houses law courts. Its grand ceremonial hall, with detailed wooden ceilings, reflects the city's royal past. Nearby stands the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, commissioned by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century. Inside, you can see the tall Gothic vaults and colorful stained glass windows.
Romanesque Churches
Poitiers has several notable examples of Romanesque architecture. The Church of Notre-Dame la Grande has a facade with carvings depicting biblical scenes. In the evenings during summer and Christmas, a colorful light show illuminates the intricate stonework. A short walk away, you'll find the Church of Saint-Hilaire le Grand, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its importance on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Its seven-nave layout and sculpted capitals make it architecturally distinct.
Ancient Roots and Modern Museums
Visit the Baptistère Saint-Jean, which dates back to the 4th century and is considered the oldest Christian building in France. Today it houses a museum with Merovingian-era artifacts. To explore more recent history and art, go to the Musée Sainte-Croix. This modern building contains collections from prehistoric times to 20th century art, including works by Camille Claudel.
Green Spaces and Student Life
When you want to take a break from sightseeing, you can relax in one of Poitiers' parks. The Parc de Blossac, created in the 18th century, has formal French gardens, an English-style park, and a small zoo. At Parc des Prés-Mignons along the Clain River, you can picnic, play sports, or watch people. With over 25,000 students, Poitiers has a young atmosphere, especially noticeable in the evenings around Place Charles de Gaulle.
Local Flavors
Try regional specialties in Poitiers' restaurants and markets. You can taste farci poitevin, a vegetable pâté wrapped in cabbage leaves, or broyé du Poitou, a large shortbread-like biscuit traditionally shared by breaking it into pieces. For fresh produce and local products, visit the covered market hall next to Notre-Dame la Grande. It's open Tuesday through Saturday and is a good place to buy picnic supplies or talk with local vendors.
Futuristic Fun Beyond the City
About 10 kilometers north of Poitiers is Futuroscope, a theme park focused on multimedia and cinematic technology. It's the second most visited amusement park in France after Disneyland Paris. You can spend a day experiencing immersive films, 3D shows, and futuristic rides. The park provides an entertaining contrast to Poitiers' medieval center.
Getting There and Around
You can reach Poitiers by train, with high-speed TGV services from Paris taking about 1 hour 20 minutes. The city also has a small airport with flights to London and other European destinations. Once in Poitiers, you can explore the compact city center on foot. For longer distances or trips to Futuroscope, use the local bus network operated by Vitalis.
