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Poitiers - City of History and Culture

Sited for seemingly an eternity in the heart of France, the city of Poitiers is relatively tiny by today's standards, with a population of only around 130000. However this tiny city is strategically located, being only an hour's train journey from Paris and not far from the Atlantic coast. It is thus a major economic center, plus a most pleasing tourist destination.

Poitiers has lent its name to three great battles. The least well-known is the first battle of Poitiers in AD 507, a battled initiated by Clovis I against Alaric II, king of the Visigoths. The second battle was in 732, resulting in the victory of the Francs lead by Charles Martel over the Moors and their allies. The third battle of Poitiers was in 1356, when the English, commanded by the Black Prince, defeated the French and King John the Good.

Something many might know is that Poitiers is also an old university city. Indeed the University of Poitiers was founded in 1431. It was soon to become a center of learning famous throughout Europe with many of the world's greatest thinkers and philosophers having studied there. The modern-day Poitiers University in fact is responsible for around 14% of the entire population of the city during term time! It is thus one of the most important universities in France and home to a range of faculties in most disciplines.

During the summer months, you will encounter spectacles on the corner of every street and in every square. These are often free and, most of the time, are in the open air, in public gardens, on the monumental esplanade or on caf terraces. It is a real opportunity to meet the locals - from theatre, the Musette ball in the old style, to exhibitions or debates in the "philosophical cafs". In this way, it's plain to see that art and culture are alive and well throughout Poitiers.

Poitiers is also home to several museums, galleries and exhibition centers. Of particular note is the Baptistry of St John which houses an important collection of sculptures and tombs from the Carolingian and Merovingian eras.

Dance also occupies an important place in the cultural life of Poitiers, particularly in the guise of contemporary dance. There are numerous dance festivals and spectacles throughout the year.

With regard to theatres, whether you are interested in amateur or professional productions, Poitiers will be sure to satisfy your every desire. Indeed the city is home to over twenty theatrical troops which overall provide a highly diverse programme throughout the year. There are also regular opportunities to meet writers, actors and producer who are keen to discuss their work with the public at large.

To visit Poitiers and not visit the internationally renowned Futuroscope Park, would be a great error, since Futuroscope is one of the major attraction of France as a whole. It is certainly an ideal venue for short-duration holidays if you have children in-tow. Not only is this European Park of the Image fascinating as an entertainment spectacle, but also from an educational perspective, with much of the latest imaging technology making its first appearance at the park before being deployed elsewhere in the world.

From a historical and architectural perspective, Poitiers is a city holding much interest. Indeed in the city center alone, there are almost a hundred historically classified monuments. These include pretty medieval streets and churches, wide tree-lined boulevards and contemporary architectural masterpieces. So for lovers of history, Poitiers is a veritable gold mine of historical artefacts, dating from the earliest times to the present day.

With regard to food, or should we say gastronomy, Poitiers is a veritable meeting between the town and the countryside. At the heart of a region still green and very rural, each citizen of Poitiers knows the "real recipe for the real Poitiers farci"! But a warning to enthusiasts: the region is a real French microcosm with all the ingredients potentially repugnant to outsiders, such as snails, frogs, eels, etc.

I hoped you have enjoyed this little tour of the historic city of Poitiers. The city is an ideal venue for a short break or as a base for touring central France and the Atlantic coast. However it is a city of culture second to none, and for those inclined towards history or the theatrical arts, Poitiers is a city not to be missed.

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For further information on France, the French lifestyle and Bretagne in French, please visit Rencontres Bretagne at Antonio Bonito's QuePourToi.com rencontres libertines web site.

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