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Poitiers town

Place Alphonse Lepetit, Poitiers, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Description

Poitiers is the historical capital of the Poitou region, midway between Paris and Bordeaux. Settled during the Roman period it was from the 10th to the 13th century the residence of the ducs d'Aquitaine. It is well-known in French history for its university and the battle that took place in the area in 732 and during which Charles Martel stopped the advance of the Moors. Highlights include the 11th-century Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande, the medieval Palais des comtes de Poitiers with its vast hall and the dungeon called tour Maubergeon, the Gothic Cathedral Saint-Pierre with its impressive façade consisting of a rose, three portals and its stained glass windows, the City Hall with a Second Empire architecture, the formal gardens of Parc de Blossac, and the Jardin des Plantes.

Access & Transport

The town is easily reached by train, being on the high speed line between Paris and Bordeaux and just off the A10 expressway linking those same two cities. The small Poitiers airport (flights to London and Barcelona at the time of this review) is just outside of town.

Instructions & Recommendations

The most famous attraction in the vicinity is the amusement park of Futuroscope, a 15 mins drive (or short train ride) to the north.

Meta review

The town is not a standard destination for tourists but several of the attractions receive very positive online feedback. First among them is the Church of Notre Dame la Grande with its beautifully sculpted façade though the interior is somewhat more ordinary. The Parc de Blossac offers a green setting and plenty of places to sit but lacks flowers and there are conflicting comments regarding upkeep. The Sainte Croix museum is described as a solid provincial museum with exhibits ranging from prehistoric & Roman artifacts to the medieval period, fine arts and contemporary art. Finally, the Cathedral draws compliments for its impressive dimensions, its façade and stained glass windows.

Environmental & Social

The main activities in the city have a low carbon footprint. Tourism helps preserve some of the city's architectural heritage

Conclusion

Not a star destination, we agree, but certainly worth a good half day and perhaps serve as a base to explore the surrounding Poitou area or visit the nearby Futuroscope. We would recommend reading about the town's historical background to provide context to the religious edifices and the Palais des ducs d'Aquitaine

Key positive

Several attractions in a compact area and not over-commercialized

Easy to reach by car or train

Key negative

-

Suitability

Most attractions are accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:1h

est. visit time:4h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningNo

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightOk

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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