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15 Best Things to Do in Poitiers (France)

Capital of Poitour-Charentes towards the west of France, Poitiers is a university city with layer upon layer of medieval history to delve into. All you need is a bit of background and the many churches take on deep meaning as the queens, dukes and counts who ruled from this city come alive.

There are loads of endearing half-timbered houses on squares like Place Charles de Gaulle, and you can have fun hunting down the gothic and renaissance palace’s where the city’s gentry used to live. And then you can leave the past behind, at least for a few hours, at the ultramodern Futuroscope theme park.

Lets explore the best things to do in Poitiers :

1. Musée Sainte-Croix

The biggest museum in the city is in a labyrinthine brutalist building from the 1970s.

After an intensive trawl through these galleries, broken down into prehistory, ancient archaeology, medieval history, fine arts ethnography and regional, you’ll be feeling pretty clued-up about Poitiers and the region.

You’ll be riveted by the archaeology department because the museum is built over the 7th-century Abbey of Sainte-Croix.

Don’t leave without seeing the Roman sculpture of Minerva, the hoard of Gallo-Romain coins from Chevonceaux,6th-century stucco from the Priory of Saint-Pierre and outstanding artworks by Rodin, Camille Claudel and Eugène Boudin.

2. Futuroscope

Since the Lumière brothers in the 19th-century France has always been at the forefront of the cinematic arts, and the Futuroscope theme park springs from that legacy.

It is France’s third most popular theme park and has been dazzling visitors for more than 30 years with simulators, rides and breathtaking presentations in IMAX 3D and 4D theatres.

The venues for these rides and shows are phenomenal metal and glass structures, some angular and others rounded, but all with vast dimensions.

Most of the shows have set starting times, so as opposed to most theme parks you can plan ahead and not waste your day in queues.

3. Baptistère Saint-Jean

In Poitiers you can step in to the oldest Christian church in France, built in the 4th century and then altered in the 7th century to its present form.

In the Merovingian times they didn’t mess around when it came to baptism, and instead of a small font, the church contains a large octagonal pool in which people needed to be totally immersed to complete the ritual of admission.

There are Merovingian sarcophagus covers on displayed at the small archaeological museum  inside, and incredible murals from the 12th and 13th centuries decorate the walls.

4. Église Saint-Hilaire Le Grand

Because of its location on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route, this hushed romanesque church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Revolution wasn’t kind to the building, and the nave was torn down and had to be rebuilt.

But in the choir and ambulatory there’s lots of glorious medieval art.

The four chapels have frescos from the 1000s, among them one of the earliest medieval representations of the apocalypse.

Down in the crypt a 17th-century chest holds the relics of St.

Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers in the 4th century and the foremost writer and theologian of the time.

5. Parc de Blossac

In the mid 18th-century the Count of Blossac had big plans for Poitiers to shed its medieval image with wide boulevards and open spaces like this sumptuous park.

The park is actually skirted by some of the old city walls, as you can see on the southern corner.

From  there you can also follow the Chemin de la Cagouillere footpath down to the right bank of the Clain River.

Most of the park is French-style parterres, with arrow-straight avenues beside topiaries.

There’s also a romantic English garden with flowerbeds, an ornamental river, statues, grotto and a little menagerie with guinea pigs, parakeets and rabbits.

• 6.  Église Notre-Dame la Grande

This 11th-century church is an incredible piece of poitevin romanesque architecture.

Inside are medieval paintings above the choir, showing Christ in majesty and the Virgin and Child surrounded by a mandorla.

But it’s the church’s portal that wins most acclaim, with sophisticated 12th century friezes showing images from passages in the old and new testaments.

In the middle ages the sculptures on the church’s facade would have been painted, and on summer evenings since 1995 the light artist Skertzo has staged the Polychromies de Notre-Dame, restoring the vibrant colours to these walls with breathtaking projections.

7. Grande Salle – Palais de Poitiers

There’s only one room to be seen at Poitiers law courts, formerly the seat of the Dukes of Aquitaine and Counts of Poitou, and you have to brave airlines tyle bag-checkers to get in.

But if you’re curious about English and French history this is small price to pay.

Because the Grand Salle was a dining hall ordered in the 1190s by Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful  women in medieval Europe.

At 50 metres by 17 it may well have been the largest in Europe at the time.

There are three gigantic fireplaces, wondrous traceries on the windows and sculptures of figures in the court of Poitiers, like John of Berry and Isabeau of Bavaria.

8. Poitiers Cathedral

Eleanor also commissioned the city’s imposing cathedral in 1162, and it was completed around a century later, which was quite swift for a building of this size in medieval times.

If you’re fascinated by medieval history you could have a field day in here.

First, nearly all the stained glass windows in the choir and transept are original, and if you’re eagle-eyed you’ll identify Eleanor and Henry II in one.

The wooden choir stalls are some of the oldest in France, carved in the Parisian gothic style in the mid-13th century.

Originally there would have been 100, but even with the  74 remaining you’re left in no doubt about the high status of the cathedral chapter in these times.

9. Hôtel Fumé

Rue de la Chaîne is one of the most delightful streets in the city, crowded with medieval houses with criss-cross patterns on their timber frames and iron gaslights suspended over the middle of the street.

Follow it up the hill and it turns into Rue René Descartes , on which you’ll be taken aback by the majestic, curving facade of Hôtel Fumé.

This is a flamboyant gothic mansion built in the 15th and 16th centuries by the city’s mayor, and now housing the university’s humanities department.

Go through the passageway into the courtyard, where sculpted, twisting columns support a half-timbered gallery with mullioned windows.

10. Place du Maréchal-Leclerc

The principal square in Poitier’s Cente-Ville has a totally different feel to the city’s narrow medieval streets, but is just as easy to love for its sense of space and airiness.

Place du Maréchal-Leclerc is enclosed by Belle Époque and art deco buildings.

Note the facade of the Société Générale, dating to 1928 and the former municipal theatre built in 1954 in an art deco revival style.

The City Hall is a bit older, dating to the mid-1800s during the Second Empire, and it hosts occasional open weekends when you can go in to poke around the salons and grand staircase.

In the last couple of years stylish modern benches have been added to the square, and there are cafes all around if you need a break from sightseeing.

11. Hôtel Jean Beaucé

If you continue past the City Hall on Rue Le-Bascle the street ends at a remarkable renaissance mansion built by the banker of the same name in 1554. Unfortunately you can’t go inside as it’s a private residence, but you can console yourself with a photo of the unusual facade.

In the middle is a staircase tower, with windows spiralling up to a conical roof.

To the right there’s another, this one topped with a cupola.

The mansion has a bit of everything, with gabled dormer windows,  busts of Roman emperors, pilasters, scrolls and medallions.

12. Église Sainte-Radegonde

This romanesque and gothic church has enough to keep you occupied for at least a few minutes.

The bell-tower and apse are the oldest portions, dating to the 11th and 12th centuries, while the nave in the middle is gothic, from the 13th century with vaults added 100 years or so later than that.

In the crypt below the chancel is the 10th-century sarcophagus for Radegund, a Frankish queen who died in Poitiers in 587. Next to this is a statue representing the saint donated by Anne of Austria (the Queen of France) in the mid-1600s after she had come to pray at the tomb.

13. Jardin des Plantes

If your head is spinning from all those dates and historical personalities you can go for a meditative walk in the Jardin des Plantes, Poiters’ soothing botanical garden.

The park has 150 species of exotic plants in its greenhouse, most with medicinal properties.

That might be because the park was established by the university’s faculty of medicine, all the way back in 1621. The rest of the garden is a freewheeling English park: There’s a pond, waterfall and winding paths in woodland scattered with unusual trees like an Atlas cedar and an American bald cypress.

14. Local Walks

There are 400 kilometres of marked trails accessible from Poitiers, and the countryside that  borders the city is all woodland, meadows and farms, littered with medieval remains like chapels and old stone bridges.

There’s some pretty dramatic scenery too thanks to the Clain river, which formed the rocky outcrop on which Poitiers was built.

The Clain Valley has steep, rugged  walls that will grant the more energetic walkers exhilarating views, and the same can be said for the Auxance tributary, which joins the Clain just north of Poitiers.

If you go east along the Boivre river things get gentler as you enter the Bocage Bérugeois, a very bucolic area of hedges, meadows and orchards around the tiny village of Béruges.

15. Food and Drink

Farci Poitevin is a distinctive local delicacy; a kind of vegetable hash made with chard, spinach, sorrel, cabbage leek and bacon wrapped in a net and cooked for hours until it sets into a pâté.

It is eaten cold and you’ll normally see it served as a starter in restaurants.

Also served as an appetiser, but occasionally eaten after a meal, is Chabichou de Poitou goats’ cheese, which you can easily spot at market stalls because it has an uncommon cylindrical shape.

The local lamb, butter and melons are all protected, and in the windows of patisseries you may be enticed by Montmorillon macarons.

Unlike Parisian-style meringues, these are denser almond biscuits with a soft centre, baked to a 17th-century recipe.

15 Best Things to Do in Poitiers (France):

• Musée Sainte-Croix
• Futuroscope
• Baptistère Saint-Jean
• Église Saint-Hilaire Le Grand
• Parc de Blossac
• Grande Salle - Palais de Poitiers
• Poitiers Cathedral
• Place du Maréchal-Leclerc
• Hôtel Jean Beaucé
• Église Sainte-Radegonde
• Jardin des Plantes
• Local Walks
• Food and Drink

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Services at Poitiers

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• Le 41 Carnot
• ibis Styles Poitiers Centre
• Hotel Au Chapon Fin

Restaurants

• Arya Bar Restaurant
• Les Archives
• Les 3 Boulevards

Tourist Attractions

• Church of St Hilaire le Grand
• Palace of the counts of Poitou and the dukes of Aquitaine
• Church of N.-D.-la-Grande
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Accommodation Where to sleep in Poitiers

• From €74 Best Western Poitiers Centre Le Grand Hôtel Very good 8 26 m - 28, rue Carnot, 86000 Poitiers Book details 
• From €75 Logis Hôtel de l'Europe Very good 8.4 44 m - 39 Rue Carnot, 86000 Poitiers Book details 
• From €56 ibis Poitiers Centre Pleasant 6.7 50 m - 15 rue du Petit Bonneveau, 86000 Poitiers Book details 

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Restaurants Where to eat Poitiers

• Around €17 Miandodo 9.2 (38 reviews) 156 m - 9 Rue de Magenta, 86000 Poitiers Book details 
• Around €25 Côté Sushi - Poitiers 8.4 (66 reviews) 174 m - 33 Pl. du Marechal-Leclerc, 86000 Poitiers Book details 
• Around €19 Le Levant 9.1 (392 reviews) 472 m - 9 Bd Pont Achard, 86000 Poitiers Book details 

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Tourist Attractions Things to see and do Poitiers

• Hôtel Jean Beaucé The Green Guide 293 m - 1 rue Lebascles, 86000 Poitiers activities details 
• Church of St-Porchaire The Green Guide 321 m - 47 rue Gambetta, 86000 Poitiers activities details 
• Hôtel de l'échevinage The Green Guide 397 m - 7 rue Paul-Guillon, 86000 Poitiers activities details 

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Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

History-steeped Poitiers was founded by the Pictones, a Gaulish tribe, and rose to prominence as the former capital of Poitou. A pivotal turning point came in AD 732, when somewhere near Poitiers (the exact site is not known) the cavalry of Charles Martel defeated the Muslim forces of Abd ar-Rahman, governor of Córdoba, thus ending Muslim attempts to conquer France. Until the Revolution, this sublimely beautiful city was known as the 'town of 100 bell towers'; the remarkable Romanesque churches that remain today are in part a legacy of Eleanor of Aquitaine's financial support.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Église Notre Dame la Grande

The celebrated western façade of this Romanesque church was exquisitely sculpted in soft gold stone between 1115 and 1130. Spot the temptation of Adam and…

Baptistère St-Jean

Constructed in the 4th and 5th centuries on Roman foundations, this ginger-stone baptistery formed part of the episcopal ensemble with the cathedral, 100m…

Église St-Hilaire le Grand

Consecrated in 1049, used as a warehouse during the Revolution and partly rebuilt in the 19th century, this grandiose Romanesque church appears on Unesco…

Palais de Justice

Today it houses the law courts, but nearly a thousand years ago this stunning building was the seat of the Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine. Its…

Musée Ste-Croix

The 1970s Brutalist architecture of this art museum, built from reinforced concrete, is a shock after the elegance of its ancient episcopal neighbours…

Cathédrale St-Pierre

The town's grand Gothic cathedral safeguards beautiful 13th-century oak-carved choir stalls, an 18th-century organ with more than 3000 pipes and…

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Top Things to Do in Poitiers, France - Poitiers Must-See Attractions

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Other Top Attractions around Poitiers

What travellers are saying

• Church of Notre Dame la Grande
• Parc de Blossac
• Baptistère Saint-Jean
• Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
• Église Sainte-Radegonde
• Parc floral de la Roseraie
• Jardin des Plantes
• Parc Niki De Saint Phalle
• Parc Des Prés Mignons
• The Escape League
• Huis Clos - Escape Game

Poitiers travel guide

Visit Poitiers (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)

The town of Poitiers is centrally placed in the Poitou-Charentes region, of which it is the administrative capital. Slightly off the main tourist routes, Poitiers is none the less a town steeped in history and this has resulted in a city with a picturesque medieval centre containing numerous sites of interest.

Poitiers is also a university town (the second oldest in France after Paris and the town with one of the biggest student populations) which means it has a vibrant night life and lots of cultural activities. Previous students include Descartes and Francis Bacon.

Exploring Poitiers

When you arrive in Poitiers we suggest you head straight for the tourist office (near the Notre Dame church) and ask for their map of the town with the tourist circuits marked out. There are three circuits each taking around an hour to complete. All three are recommended so allow plenty of time for your visit!

The blue circuit leads you around the most important monuments of Poitiers such as the baptistry, cathedral and church of Notre-Dame, the yellow circuit leads you round the main sights in the historic centre, and the red circuit takes you to the area around the Parc de Blossac.

Religious monuments

Of the many interesting historic buildings in Poitiers it is the religious monuments that dominate a visit. Start your visit with the Eglise Notre-Dame with its very ornate facade dating from the 12th century and an important example of roman style architecture. The interior is also impressive, with its colourful frescoes and patterns painted on many of the columns, as well as further examples of carved stonework.

France This Way review: if you are near Poitiers during the summer, be sure to be near the Notre-Dame church at dusk, when an impressive light display recreates the colours of the cathedral in the Middle Ages.

Now move on to the magnificent Saint Pierre Cathedral, a Gothic building dating from the 12th century and also with an ornate facade. Inside you can see an enormous 18th century organ and some impressive stained glass windows.

Nearby is the rather austere Baptistry of Saint-Jean, dating in part from the 4th century and the oldest Christian monument in France. The building contains a large baptism pool from the days of early christianity when baptism was by full body immersion. You can also see some great frescoes from the 12th and 13th centuries in the baptistry.

Although these three are the most important religious monuments in Poitiers there are several other churches that you will discover as you explore such as the imposing square tower of the entrance to the Church of Saint-Porchaire, the Church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand with its carved roman style capital stones (a UNESCO World Heritage site for the Pilgrimage path to Saint John of Compostella), and the crypt in the church of Sainte-Radegonde.

A brief history of medieval Poitiers

Poitiers was the province’s capital city even in Gallo-Roman times but its most famous and prosperous period of history was during the middle ages in the times of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

In one of the most turbulent periods of French history, Eleanor had her marriage to Louis VII of France annulled and then married Henry Plantagenet who subsequently became King Henry II of England (1152). As a result large areas of western France including Poitiers passed under English control. Poitiers became an English town as it was part of the dowry she brought to her marriage.

Eleanor liked the city and often spent time there and her support led to the building of some remarkable buildings such as the Eglise Notre Dame la Grande, which is a Romanesque style church. The division of France led to continuous struggles between the English and French, that ultimately led to the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) - the Battle of Poitiers was one of the great English victories of the war.

Other monuments

The streets in the historic centre of Poitiers around the Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande are full of lovely medieval architecture with lots of half timbered houses as well as impressive examples of renaissance architecture. The law courts are also very distinctive. Lovely to walk around in, these streets are also full of great shops!

The Jardin des Plantes is not far from here if you want a nice spot to relax for a while.

Other buildings of interest include the 19th century Town Hall and several grand townhouses built during the 17th and 18th centuries such as the Hotel Fumé and the Hotel Berthelot.

To the south of the town centre is the Parc de Blossac, a lovely place to relax and perhaps have a picnic (there are also several other attractive parks in Poitiers). Although it is a short walk outside the town centre, this is one of the main attractions in Poitiers, and as well as the plants and trees there are children play areas and a chance for children to see small animals.

The Museum Sainte-Croix has examples of local paintings as well as items of local historical and archaeological interest.

Near to Poitiers

In the vicinity the villages of Chauvigny , Montmorillon , Châtellerault , Loudun and Civray are all worth a visit. The cave system at La Norée is recommended, and the abbey at Nouaille-Maupertuis is another impressive example of roman style architecture just a few kilometres from Poitiers.

Also close to Poiters for those of you with children Futuroscope is a great theme park packed with virtual reality rides and shows.

You can find more travel ideas in the Vienne guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide .

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Map of poitiers and places nearby, visit near poitiers with france this way reviews.

Futuroscope

Futuroscope is one of the most popular attractions in France!

Nouaille-Maupertuis

Visit Nouaille-Maupertuis to see the substantial Abbey of Saint Junien

We especially enjoyed exploring the castles along the hilltop when visiting Chauvigny

Chatellerault

The quiet regional town of Chatellerault has some notable 18th century townhouses

Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe

The highlight here is of course the Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, certainly the best example of roman style architecture anywhere in Poitou-Charentes

La Roche-Posay

The castle donjon and the medieval gateway are the main historical monuments in the spa town of La Roche-Posay

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Vienne

Tourist classifications for Poitiers

Poitiers has received the following tourist classifications: listed town of Art and History ; historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)

Address: Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes, 86000, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.5819, longitude 0.336112

Plan your visit to Poitiers, Vienne

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby.

• Poitiers église Saint-Hilaire le Grand (monuments on French pilgrim routes) : heritage site
• Abbaye de Nouaillé-Mauperthuis (Nouaille-Maupertuis): religious monument (10 km)
• Futuroscope : theme park (10 km)
• Laverré: remarkable garden (15 km)
• Vivonne: village d'etape (18 km)
• Touffou: remarkable garden (20 km)
• Eglise de Notre-Dame (Lusignan): religious monument (23 km)
• Eglise de Saint Maurice (Saint-Maurice-la-Clouere): religious monument (23 km)
• Chauvigny : recommended detour (24 km)
• Eglise de Saint Pierre (Chauvigny): religious monument (24 km)
• Jardin du château de La Mothe: remarkable garden (27 km)
• Sanxay: national monument (28 km)

Market days in Poitiers, France

Regular market(s) are held in Poitiers each Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday all day & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Poitiers (Francais)

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Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Vienne

Former capital of Poitou , the city of Poitiers possesses a rich architectural and religious heritage. Key monument of the historic centre, the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church of the 11th and 12th centuries constitutes a remarkable example of Romanesque art, with its magnificent carved facade dating from the 12th century. Every evening in the summer and during the Christmas holidays, a magnificent light show named Polychromies, restores the bright colours that used to decorate the sculptures on the facade of the church. A magic moment not to be missed...

The visit of Poitiers continues with the imposing Saint-Pierre cathedral, a Gothic building of the 12th and 13th centuries; the Saint-Jean baptistery, one of the most ancient Christian buildings in France; the Palais de Justice (law courts), former palace of the counts of Poitou and the dukes of Aquitaine .

Besides its prestigious monuments, Poitiers abounds with charming narrow streets and lively squares where it is lovely to wander around and pause at one of the numerous cafe and restaurant terraces. Along the stroll, walkers can also admire numerous old houses and mansions, such as the Fumé mansion, the Jehan de Beaucé mansion and the Pélisson mansion.

There is also a good choice of interesting museums, including Sainte-Croix museum with its archaeology and fine art collections, the Rupert de Chièvres museum, which houses 15th- to 18th-century paintings and objets d'art, and the Espace Pierre Mendès France, which puts on science-related exhibitions and special events.

Additional information Poitiers

Poitiers is the capital of the department of Vienne , former "capital" of the region Poitou-Charentes before its integration in New Aquitaine.

In the heart of west-central France, 220 km north of Bordeaux, Poitiers has just over 90,300 inhabitants (nearly 130,000 with its conurbation).

On a military and commercial passage between the Paris Basin and the Aquitaine Basin, west of the Massif Central, Poitiers and its surroundings are known to have been the setting for three major battles: in 507 between Clovis and the Visigoths, 732 between Charles Martel and the Arabs, then in 1356 between John II the Good and the English, masters of the city for twenty years in the fourteenth century.

A stronghold of Christendom since the early Middle Ages, which gave it the nickname of "city with a hundred steeples", while surrounded by fortified walls, Poitiers develops under the dynasty of the counts of Poitou and dukes of Aquitaine, Before embellishing under the Renaissance and hosting a reputable university.

Having preserved its architectural heritage, labeled City of Art and History, Poitiers is also known for the Futuroscope, initiated in the 1980s, a tourist and technological area located however on the communes of its periphery (Jaunay-Clan and Chasseneuil- Poitou): its attractiveness benefited the city, whose heritage had not been impacted by the industrialization of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Things to see and do

As its nickname indicates, Poitiers first offers the visitor an important built heritage religious.

The chronological order will begin with the Baptistery Saint John, considered one of the oldest Christian edifices. Ancient Roman house, it was endowed from the fourth century of a vat so that the baptisms take place by immersion. Later are added a transept and an apse.

Also to see the vestiges of the abbey Sainte-Croix (VI e ).

Dating from the Romanesque period, note among others the church of Sainte-Radegonde (11th) and the church Notre-Dame-la-Grande (11th) and its astonishing bell towers. Still to see the church Saint-Porchaire (XI e ), where was deposited one of the oldest bells of France (XVth).

In addition, the church of Saint-Hilaire de la Celle (12th century) is now the regional center of pedagogical documentation and the church of Saint-Germain the regional conservatory.

And there is no mention of buildings with only a few traces or walls.

A must-see, however, is the Gothic-style Saint-Pierre-et-Paul Cathedral (12th, 15th) and its magnificent stained glass window depicting the Crucifixion.

The Chapel of the Cordeliers (XIIIth), other churches of the XVIIth century or the old chapel of the college of the brothers of Saint-Gabriel (1880) integrated in the hotel of region are also among the innumerable elements of the religious patrimony of Poitiers valant a deviation.

In another place, the vestiges of the wall raised by Eleanor of Aquitaine and its towers or those of the castle initiated by Philippe Auguste are to be seen.

On the residential level, Poitiers is full of old mansions and public buildings testifying to its illustrious political and commercial past.

The palace of the counts of Poitou (12th century) and its former donjon, now a palace of Justice, and its Renaissance houses, most of which are now annexed to the university, will form part of a tour of the city center. Finally, it will include the Grande Poste (Art Nouveau style, 20th century).

Obviously, this route can be carried out freely or by following the thematic routes available (information on +33 5 49 41 21 24).

In the neighborhoods, or to take a break, we will appreciate the various green spaces dotting the city. One thinks of the park of Blossac, created in the XVIII e near the medieval ramparts. Of French style, it was attached to him at the end of XIX e an English garden. A walk also allows to admire several statues and to discover a small animal park.

Another natural "lung" is the Jardin des Plantes, near the old Hôtel Dieu.

A stop at Poitiers must finally include visiting its quality museums.

The Sainte-Croix museum, a contemporary concrete and glass building built in 1974, offers permanent collections in the form of an artistic panorama ranging from Antiquity to the present day. One can admire the major works of Camille Claudel.

In the heart of the old town, the Rupert museum in Chièvres focuses on the period from the 16th to the 18th century.

Finally, the Hypogeum of Mellebaude is an old funerary chapel dating from the High Middle Ages. There are many "Palaeo-Christian" works. This unique space - fragile and in the course of restoration - is open to the public only a few days a year. Information on +33 5 49 41 21 24.

In a completely different way, note that many hiking trails (on foot or by bicycle) crisscross the town and its surroundings, and that seven swimming pools (some discoveries in summer) are available for amateurs: join the +33 5 49 41 21 24.

Places of interest

Events and festivities.

In addition to the thematic events taking place at the Futuroscope, on intramural Poitiers, intended especially for the strong student community, many festivals mark the calendar.

This is the case in January of the Electro Weekend electro music festival.

In February, in ten days, the Filmer le Travail festival offers works of fiction or documentaries on the theme of social reality (projections in the different cinemas of the city).

Over three days, the Chamber Music Days offer concerts that sometimes take place in "unusual" places.

In March, the Voix publics festival brings together concerts, exhibitions and meetings on themes inviting debate and reflection.

In April, the A Corps festival offers contemporary choreographic performances for the general public.

In the media library, the editors offer the opportunity to meet authors and publishers.

In June, Jazz at Poitiers offers a varied programming.

Jazz again during July and August with Roaming: musicians perform in some abbeys and churches.

In October, hip-hop festival and expression festival in downtown where young talents have carte blanche.

In December, finally, the Poitiers Film Festival is the opportunity for the young talent of the school of cinema of the city to make itself known.

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An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Poitiers

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 6th June 2023

Categories France

Last Updated on 6th June 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Poitiers is a sleepy city in western France with a rich Merovingian heritage and a mesmerising tapestry of medieval churches scattered across its historic city centre. Indeed, Poitiers is home to so many church towers that it has been nicknamed “la ville aux cent clochers” (the town of a hundred steeples) . Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Poitiers , as well as what to know before you go.

I didn’t do much research about what to do in Poitiers prior to my visit. I had passed through once before on a bus journey back from Biarritz to Paris and had seen nothing of the French city save for a single crumbling ruin and a few classic French houses- and to be honest, it didn’t leave much of an impression.

However, the city is pretty well connected to the rest of western France thanks to its international airport and so it made sense to visit as something of a gateway into the wider Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

According to my dad, some of our ancestors come from Poitiers (I have no idea if this is true or not!) , and so I set out to discover the best of the city and see where some of my roots *may* have originated from.

And what I found truly astounded me. Despite being a lesser-visited city, Poitiers amazed and thrilled me in equal measure with its cobbled lanes, rich architectural offerings, and sheer beauty of the churches- I have never seen so many well-preserved frescoes in French churches before!

What is Poitiers known for?

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If I’m honest, Poitiers lies a little off the beaten path (unless you’re following the Way of Saint James) and isn’t really famous for as many things as other cities in the region; Anglouême (famed for its comics) , Limoges (world-renowned for its pottery) , or La Rochelle (known for its pastel hued port) .

With this being said, the quiet town is pretty attractive and is famed for its Romanesque architecture, boasting one of the greatest collections of Romanesque architecture in France.

If you look hard enough, you can also find neat examples of Gothic architecture too. There’s ecclesiastical history to be found around almost every turn and so this is definitely the city for history buffs.

The leading industries are electronics manufacturing, food processing, and printing, though tourism is also common enough thanks to the fact that the Church of Saint-Hilaire the Great Poitiers is a fine example of Romanesque architecture and is on the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

It’s also worth noting that most people (especially French tourists) venture into the area surrounding Poitiers to visit Futuroscope, which is an amusement park, which boasts attractions such as 4D cinemas and spectacles. Poitiers also enjoys its own microclimate, meaning that temperatures throughout the year rarely go below 15 degrees.

Just an hour and a half’s drive inland from the Atlantic coastline, Poitiers has seen plenty of inhabitants over the Millennia, and today remnants of the past can be found all over the city..

Poitiers was originally inhabited by the Celtic tribe the Pictones and was known as   Lemonum (after the elm tree). After the Romans took over, the town became known as Pictavium , for the Celtic tribe.

In the Middle Ages, there were a staggering 27 parishes within the city and each of these churches had their very own steeple.

In the 15th-century (in 1431 to be precise), Poitiers university was established. Founded by Pope Eugene IV and chartered by King Charles VII, the University was once one of the most prestigious in France, second only to Paris.

Though the university was briefly closed down during the French Revolution, today Poitiers enjoys a status as a university city, with the highest student/inhabitant ratio in France!

Poitiers was once the capital of Poitou-Charentes, a now-defunct region of France that was absorbed into the fabric of the larger Nouvelle-Aquitaine region following an administrative shakeup in 2016. The city remains part of the Vienne department.

Best things to do in Poitiers

The church of Notre Dame is undoubtedly the star of the show when it comes to attractions in Poitiers. Conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from the tourist office, the first thing to greet you when it comes to Notre Dame is its impressive façade, which features 12th-century carvings recounting scenes from the bible.

Inside, even greater treasures await the curious travellers. The interior of the church is free to visit and is honestly a must. As well as painted columns, there are various chapels which were paid for by wealthy merchant families in the 15th and 16th-centuries.

Bells have been ringing out in Poitiers since the 11th-century. One of the grandest churches in town is the impressive Saint Pierre (Saint Peter Cathedral), which was constructed in 1162 on the ruins of a former Roman basilica. The cathedral is free to visit.

The Baptistery of Saint John is alleged to be the oldest surviving Christian building in the west and probably dates back to between 630-700.

The building is not only a rare surviving example of a baptistery (octagonal baptismal pool which was used up until the 8th-century still intact) but is also pretty unique in that it’s a fine example of Merovingian architecture.

You have to pay a small fee to enter the hexagonal building today, and be aware that the entrance is cash only, but there are plenty of amazing things to see once inside. This includes murals from the Middle Ages and Merovingian sarcophagi.

The largest museum in Poitiers was built in the 1970s, is situated close to the baptistery and cathedral, and features exhibitions showcasing the history of Poitiers and its surroundings. The true star of the show is all of the Roman artefacts and ruins, though there are plenty more modern exhibitions too.

Like many important towns and cities in France, the town hall of Poitiers is a well appointed building standing firmly in pride of place in a central square. The edifice itself was constructed in the latter half of the 19th-century and is still used for many important functions today, including weddings.

Directly outside the front façade of the town hall, the Place du Maréchal-Leclerc is one of the more happening places in town, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. Here, bars spill out onto the streets and it’s a pleasant spot to sit and people watch.

The fortified and splendid grandeur of the Palace Of The Aquitaine Dukes has not been diminished by time and still today the Palace stands in pride of place in the very heart of old Poitiers.

The entire complex is surrounded by ditches and was once one of the principal residences of the Dukes of Aquitaine. Several parts of the buildings are free to visit (including the Salle des Perdus), and there are daily tours of The Maubergeon Tower.

The jewel in the crown of this Gothic masterpiece is the Salle des Pas Perdus, which was rebuilt by the Plantagenêt family just before the 13th-century and remains one of the best examples of non-church Gothic architecture in France.

One of the most important churches in town is to be found in the form of Saint-Hilaire, which is named for Hilary of Poitiers. The original church was built in the 12th-century, though it was heavily modelled in the 15th and 16th.

The church is free to visit and is of the utmost importance thanks to the fact that it is one of the churches on the Way of St James on the pilgrimage route from France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Step inside during opening hours and you can find painted frescoes, sacristy-museum, and the tomb of Saint-Hilaire.

The Statue of Liberty in Upper New York Bay was a gift from France to the US, and so it’s perhaps not surprising that there are countless Statue of Liberty replicas in France today. One such replica is in Poitiers in Place de la Liberté.

Since Poitiers is a fairly small city with just a handful of attractions, the attractive old town and its accompanying highlights can easily be seen over the course of a day.

If you’re particularly interested in church history, then set aside two full days as the frescoes within the churches and their accompanying museums are truly breathtaking. If you’re looking to take further day trips into the surrounding area, then you’ll want to set aside two or three days to explore.

Poitiers is served by its very own international airport (Poitiers-Biard), which connects to destinations such as London. The actual flight time between London and Poitiers is just over an hour (actually in the air), meaning that it’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.

You should note that there is no airport bus to get to the city centre and so you can take a taxi or walk (like I did- though I don’t recommend this as the first part is along a busy road).

Alternatively, Poitiers has its own train station which is served by the TGV (high speed train). Within an hour and a half of the city, you can be by the seaside at La Rochelle. There’s also a direct high speed train from Poitiers to Paris Montparnasse and the journey takes just 1.5 hours.

There are regular bus routes which pass through Poitiers as well (buses can often be a more affordable, albeit more time consuming, way of travelling through France)

As with many historic towns in France, the best way to get around the city is on your own two feet. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (trainers are fine- especially if they’re in a neutral colour) and avoid heels as cobbled streets are pretty abundant!

Your first port of call when arriving in the town should be the tourist information office, which is right outside one of the greatest attractions Poitiers has to offer: the Romanesque church of Notre Dame.

You can pick up a free tourist map, and if you speak French, there are other detailed brochures about the history of the town and further attractions to look out for when wandering around Poitiers.

As a medium sized city, there are a few options when it comes to staying in Poitiers. Since the real draw of the town is its historic city centre, I personally recommend to opt staying right in the heart of all the action. Plus, it won’t be too long to walk back to your accommodation after you’ve been out for your evening meal!

ibis Styles Poitiers Centre: I personally stayed in the Ibis Styles Poitiers Centre and personally found the rooms to be clean, comfortable, and enjoyed the complimentary breakfast the next day. The best thing about the hotel is that it is very conveniently located just a short walk away from many important monuments in town. Check prices and availability here.

Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Poitiers? Pin this article now, read it again later:

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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from 01/05/2024 to 05/31/2024

Guided tours grand poitiers.

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Prices from 4€ / Free under conditions

Appointment communicated at the time of reservation Limited group, registration required at the Palais : on site at  Palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine, Place Alphonse-Lepetit, Poitiers  or at the 06 75 32 16 64 every day from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm

Wednesdays May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 3pm Sundays, May 5, 12, 19, 26 at 3 p.m.

1h / 1 monument : The Palace

Former residence of the Counts of Poitou - Dukes of Aquitaine, and then a courthouse, it is one of the most remarkable examples of medieval civil architecture in France. Its imposing tower and its great hall, at the same time place of life, festivals and justice, saw passing some of the illustrious characters of the History of France of which it still carries the print: William the Great, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Alphonse of Poitiers, Pope Clement V, King Philip IV the Fair, Jean de Berry.... Access to the Maubergeon Tower subject to availability // Includes presentation of the exhibition L'ours, le cygne et le crocodile until May 20 // Price: €4 - free under certain conditions // Duration: 1h

Saturday, May 4 at 3 p.m.

Poitiers in the footsteps of Radegonde

Founder of the first female monastery in Gaul, Radegonde, queen of the Franks and later a nun, is a major figure in Poitiers. Rediscover her exceptional story through some of Poitiers' landmarks. The visit will be followed by a presentation of the exhibition at the Médiathèque François-Mitterrand. As part of the exhibition Radegonde, 1500 years in Poitiers // Admission: €5.5 - free under certain conditions // Duration: 1.30 to 2 hours

Tuesday, May 14 at 12:30 p.m.

Sandwich visit: Place Charles VII

As part of the modernization of Grand Poitiers' public transport network, the Place Charles VII in the historic city center was redeveloped in 2018-2019. These works have led to a number of archaeological discoveries that have enriched the history of Poitiers. Free visit // Duration: 30mn

Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 at 3 p.m.

Chilvert's Cemetery

Established in the 1790s, Chilvert Cemetery is one of the city's oldest. It boasts a large number of monuments representative of 19th-century funerary art, as well as a military plot for soldiers who died at the front during the First World War. As part of Le Printemps des Cimetières // Free admission // Duration: 1h30

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