The city of Poitiers is situated between two rivers, with the Clain river meandering along its eastern side. It is a town that is rich in history and crammed with art and architecture. The historic centre of Poitiers is incredibly picturesque, with old stone buildings, narrow, winding streets and a great number of well-preserved Medieval churches, townhomes and civic buildings.
The sights of Poitiers are situated in a compact area, and it is easy to walk between them. The Eglise Notre Dame La Grande was built in the 11th century, and has an intricate façade, with Romanesque stained glass. The Grand'rue, which can be reached off the place Charles de Gualle with its medieval building, is still home to many of the city's artisans and local producers. The Palais des Comtes du Poitou was the first residence for the Counts of Poitou-Dukes of Aquitaine. Worth exploring, it is a combination of Gothic and Medieval architecture, and now functions as the city's law courts.
Poitiers has a number of lovely parks, including the large Bossac park, which features 18 hectares of beautifully manicured, 18th century architectural gardens. There is also a city rose garden and a 17th century botanical garden, the Jardin Royal de la Ville de Poitiers, which began as a teaching garden for the city's university. It is located on the rue de la Marne, next to the Carmelite convent.
The Poitiers area is known for its local produce, including butter, goat's cheese and lamb. Be sure to visit one of the city's traditional restaurants to try farci poitevin, the local specialty, which is a terrine made from bacon and cabbage. The city also offers a number of outdoor pursuits for visitors, including extensive hiking trails in the nearby valleys, as well as horseback riding, water sports and cycling routes.
