Travel Eye on Poitiers (France)

Write a review or view peoples experiences in Poitiers.	Vacation Rentals & Holiday Rentals in Poitiers and surrounding area.	Hotels in Poitiers.	Flights	Car Hire/Rental

Overview:

History fills this city, the ancient capital of Poitou, the northern part of Aquitaine. Everybody has passed through here -- from England's Black Prince to Joan of Arc to Richard the Lion-Hearted.

Poitiers stands on a hill overlooking the Clain and Boivre rivers -- a strategic location that tempted many conquerors. Charles Martel chased out the Muslims in A.D. 732 and altered the course of European civilization. Poitiers was the chief city of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who had her marriage to pious Louis VII annulled so she could wed England's Henry II.

For those interested in antiquity, this is one of the most fascinating towns in France. The Battle of Poitiers was fought on September 19, 1356, between the armies of Edward the Black Prince and King John of France. It was one of the three great English victories in the Hundred Years' War, distinguished by the use of the longbow in the skilled hands of English archers.

After decades of slumber, the town has really come alive, with the opening of Futuroscope , a cinema theme park. The thriving student population (one-third of Poitiers's 85,000 residents are students) adds vitality as well.

Locality:

Poitiers is In West-central France, in the Vienne region. (177 mls SW of Paris. 138 mls NE of Bordeaux. 83 mls NE of La Rochelle on the W coast. 7 mls S of Futuroscope Park. Biard international airport is on its W outskirts, 2 mls from the town centre). It is situated on generally flat, featureless, rural land with some waterways and wooded areas.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Poitiers has boutiques, a couple of department stores and all the usual outlets found in any large town. An excessive number of souvenir shops can be found within the fenced area of Futuroscope, along with a newsagent. A commercial centre with a supermarket is located next to the park entrance, though a high fence means it cannot be reached easily or safely on foot, and there are no signs.

During the daytime apart from park attractions, activities are limited to exploring historic Poitiers via 3 marked walks. The nightlife here offers 1 disco in Futuroscope, but otherwise just fairly tame hotel bars. The park hosts "water festival" (fine weather only); some local bars and the odd nightclub in Poitiers.

Poitiers has the expected brasseries and French restaurants, along with an unexpected number of Chinese and Mexican eateries. Dining in Futuroscope is uninspiring, offering a range from buffet dining and grill restaurant to a creperie and sandwich bars: queues can get ridiculously long at lunch times so it is worth avoiding this time or, better still, bring a picnic to save time as well as money.

Outside the fence, a pizzeria and a fast-food outlet can be found in the commercial centre. Otherwise the only choice is in the hotels, which, although not particularly atmospheric, often have good-value set menus. Some can get booked up and priority is given to guests something to bear in mind if your hotel does not have a restaurant.