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The French city of Poitiers is the capital of the Poitou-Charentes region and head of the department of the Vienne. Having only 130000 inhabitants it is often called "the smallest of the big towns". However Poitiers is only an hour from Paris by TGV and it benefits from an enviable economic and geographical environment. 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. 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! With regard to museums, the classified museums and art centers are a delight to all enthusiasts. The Saint John Baptistry also invites you to see a major collection of tombs and sculptures from the Merovingian and Carolingian periods of the city. Also in the city there are numerous galleries with exhibitions on a whole range of subjects. Dance also plays a major part in the cultural life of the city of Poitiers. Dance in all its forms and guises takes place throughout the year in a range of interesting and exciting spectacles, including various festivals of Dance. But this is not limited to classical dance - contemporary dance is also well represented, resulting in a full programme which generates much interest with citizens, students and tourists alike. 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. 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. And finally, for all French "foodies", it probably won't come as a surprise that Poitiers isn't short either in the gastronomy department, and its many restaurants combine the best of sophisticated modern French cuisine with traditional country fare. But best be aware that being a typical French city, traditional Poitiers cuisine often incorporates many typically French ingredients such as snails, frogs and eels! And here ends our little tour of the famous historical city of Poitiers. The city is an ideal place either to spend a few days surrounded by culture and history, or as a base and setting off point for western France and the Atlantic coast. Whatever your intentions, Poitiers has something for all tastes, young and old. Enjoy your visit!
Article Source: http://www.globetrekkerarticles.com
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