Poitiers - Ancient City of Art and Culture
by Antonio Bonito
The city of Poitiers is situated in the department of the Vienne, in the west-central part of France. It is the smallest of French cities with a population of only about 130 000. However the city is well situated both geographically and economically, and is only an hour's ride from Paris on the high-speed TGV train.
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.
The city of Poitiers is an incredible encounter with and ancient university city. The University of Poitiers was founded in 1431 and has welcomed a large number of renowned thinkers. In fact Poitiers is one of the cities with the most students in France, with the students making up around 14% of the total population. The university possesses faculties of science, geography, history, languages and engineering.
During the summer tourist season, the city is thronging with theatrical spectacles. Very often these spectacles are free and in public areas such as squares and gardens. But it's not just limited to theatre, there are also balls, artistic events, and even philosophical debates hosted in several cafs. Poitiers really is a thriving cultural center!
As for museums, Poitiers also houses several major collections in its large range of museums, galleries and exhibition centers. Of these, particular mention must be given to the St John Baptistry which houses a fascinating collection of sculptures and also sarcophagi from the Merovingian and Carolingian dynastic periods of French history.
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.
As for theatre, Poitiers and the theatre are a real love story, whether your interest is amateur or professional. With more than twenty theatre companies, a rich and diverse programming, festivals, meetings between the public, artists actors and directors, theatrical creations in Poitiers always play a major role in the life of the city. And for all this artistic activity, a large and appreciative audience is always guaranteed.
One destination not to be missed when in the Poitiers region is the Futuroscope park, European Park of the Image, which was inaugurated in 1987. Every year Futuroscope attracts ever increasing numbers of visitors from throughout Europe, all keen to discover the latest technologies in a very educational way. Indeed much of the technology employed at Futuroscope is the first of its kind in the world and making an impressive debut at Poitiers.
Justly known as the "city of a hundred bells", Poitiers is home to 78 protected monuments in its center alone. From imposing monuments, Romanesque churches, pretty medieval streets, wood-clad houses, Haussmann-style boulevards, and contemporary architecture, each poque has left its mark. So in Poitiers you will find a veritable treasury of architecture from throughout the centuries.
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.
For further information on France, the French lifestyle and Marseille in French, please visit Rencontres Marseille at Antonio Bonito's QuePourToi.com rencontres libertines web site. You can get a unique content version of this article.
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