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. The name Poitiers is also synonymous with three major battles. The first was the Battle of Poitiers in 507 in which King Clovis I attacked the Visigoths under their King Alaric II. The second Battle of Poitiers took place in 732, this time with Charles Martel at the head of the Francs against Moorish troops. But perhaps the most well-known Battle of Poitiers , at least in the Anglophone world, was that of 1356, when the Black Prince at the head of the English army defeated King John of France. Poitiers is also well-known as an ancient university city. In fact the University of Poitiers was founded as early as 1431, and has been the destination of many of the greatest European philosophers and academics for centuries. Indeed the University of Poitiers, with its faculties of science, history, geography, languages and school of engineering, is one of the major university cities of France, with students making up about 14% of the entire population. In the summer months, the main tourist season, Poitiers is also home to a multitude of theatrical spectacles. Many of these spectacles are free and take place in the many public areas, including the numerous gardens and squares. But there isn't just theatre - besides the many street theatre performances there are also a whole variety of artistic events and also balls and public debates held in cafes, often under the concept of "philo-cafe" or "philosophical caf". As you can see, the summertime sees a real flourishing of entertainment of all types! 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. Not limited to the summer months, but also held throughout the year, are several dance spectacles and festivals. For Dance is a major component in the artistic life of the city. And this is particularly so for contemporary dance, which is well represented. As for the theatre, Poitiers has more than its fair share, with over 20 theatre groups in the city catering for all tastes including amateur and professional productions. These theatres provide year-round entertainment for an audience ranging from youth - in the many schools and the university - to the culturally aware citizenship, to the highly developed tourist industry. The many theatre groups also welcome and enjoy regular contact with the public through a host of programmes and workshops designed to put writer, actor and director in direct contact with the appreciative audience. Today, one of the main reasons that Poitiers is known around the world is the fact that the European Park of the Image, universally known as Futuroscope, is situated close-by. Indeed Futuroscope is one of the main attractions in France outside Paris. It is an ideal holiday destination, particularly for those with children of all ages, since you can stay in a hotel on-site and visit a handful of attractions within the park each day. A visit of three or four days is advised so as not to miss anything. Futuroscope is fascinating not just for its entertainment value but also for its educational worth, since the park is at the forefront of image processing technology. As for history, not for nothing is Poitiers also known as the "city of a hundred bells". The city is home to approaching a hundred monuments in the city center alone. From the attractive medieval streets to Roman-style churches, from imposing Parisian-style boulevards to contemporary edifices, every historical period has left its stamp on the city, making the city a veritable architectural treasure-trove. 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.
Article Source: http://www.articlecontentprovider.com/articlesubmit
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.
For further information on France, the French lifestyle and Grenoble in French, please visit Rencontres Grenoble at Antonio Bonito's QuePourToi.com rencontres coquines web site. Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content poitiers article here.
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 5 4 out of 5 3 out of 5 2 out of 5 1 out of 5
