Poitiers

Poitiers, France

With over 2000 years of history, dozens of monuments, impressive medieval streets, and beautiful boulevards, Poitiers boasts a rich and fascinating heritage. But the city has more to offer than just memories: its trendy cafes and cool bars, as well as its lively student population, keep the city young and vibrant.

Population:

87,918 (2015)

Currency:

Euro (EUR) € 1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

18: Fire brigade (fire, accidents)
17: Police
15: Ambulance (medical emergency)
114: Emergencies for people with hearing or speech impairments

Opening Hours:

Many shops are generally open from Monday to Saturday between 9:00 and 19:00. Shops are open on Sundays and public holidays at their own discretion.

Newspapers:

Poitiers Magazine
Centre Presse
Le Courrier de l'Ouest
Le Figaro
Le Monde

The City

Poitiers is a mix of history, beautiful architecture and modern life. Alternatively called the "City of a Hundred Bell Towers", it features 78 protected historic monuments and medieval streets, 19th century boulevards and half-timbered houses.

Famous monuments such as the church Notre-Dame la Grande and Saint-Pierre Cathedral attract thousands of tourists every year to the city, which is situated on a hill overlooking the Clain and Boivre rivers, making Poitiers a riverside gem with a predominant historical flair.

As a major university centre, it also manages to remain young and buzzing, transforming into a vibrant hub thanks to its lively bars, trendy cafes and funky clubs.

Do & See

Poitiers is called the city of art and culture due to the vestiges of thousands years of history, presenting a bustling centre where it's a pleasure to wonder and get lost in its intricate maze of cobbled streets.

The city offers many famous historical sites like the magnificent Romanesque church Notre-Dame la Grande, which has become the city's landmark, and the impressive Saint-Pierre Cathedral. If you would like to visit a more modern attraction, head to Futuroscope, a technological theme park that is an entertaining option for any age.

Dining

Poitiers's cuisine is marked by hearty dishes with tasty sauces. There are plenty of fine, mouth-watering French specialities waiting to be discovered at the numerous and well-renowned eateries.

Goat cheese, lamb, freshwater fish, and, of course, escargots, can be found in the menus of the local restaurants. A visit to Poitiers will naturally not be complete without a glass of fine regional wine, such as the Gamay.

Cafes

If you are you craving something sweet and would like to relax between all the shopping and sightseeing, then head to one of the cafes the city has to offer. Here you will find everything from tea houses, with their wide selections of brews and cookies, to bakeries that will not fail to satisfy your desires.