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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. 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! 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. 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 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. 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. 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. So, if the city excites your interest, if Roman art touches you, if you are passionate about history, if culture transports you... it's clear that the city of Poitiers and you are destined to meet. We wish you a wonderful time in this beautiful and interesting city.
Article Source: http://www.globetrekkerarticles.com
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