Poitiers

Reconnue pour sa vitalité dans les domaines de l’art et de la culture, Poitiers se distingue par son héritage architectural remarquable, avec des joyaux tels que le baptistère Saint-Jean, la cathedral Saint-Pierre et l’church Notre-Dame-la-Grande, témoins des époques romane et gothique. La ville est également tournée vers l’avenir, abritant une communauté estudiantine de plus de 29 000 jeunes et le célèbre parc du Futuroscope, vitrine des technologies de l’image et de la communication.

This guide is designed to help you discover Poitiers from every angle, a city where charm, cultural richness and conviviality await you around every corner.

Discover Poitiers: a historical and cultural jewel

Poitiers est une ville qui a brillamment conservé et mis en valeur son riche heritage historique et culturel, reflétant son illustre passé et son dynamisme contemporain. Découvrez ci-dessous quelques sites emblématiques à ne pas manquer lors de votre visite à Poitiers.

Poitiers must-sees

Le baptistère Saint-Jean, monument chrétien le plus ancien de l’Occident, remonte au 4e siècle. Il renferme des fresques remarquables du 11e au 14e siècle, ainsi qu’une impressionnante cuve baptismale en marbre. Ce site est inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO.

The church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande is a marvel of Romanesque art, famous for its ornate, colorful facade depicting scenes from the Bible and the life of the Virgin Mary. Every summer, it becomes the setting for a fascinating son et lumière show.

Saint-Pierre Cathedral, a 12th-century Gothic edifice, houses France's largest organ and exceptional stained-glass windows dating from the 12th to 16th centuries. It is also the resting place of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

The palace of the Counts of Poitou-Dukes of Aquitaine, dating from the 12th to 15th centuries, was home to the rulers of Poitou and Aquitaine. Today, it houses the Palais de Justice and the Musée Sainte-Croix, exhibiting works of art from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

Futuroscope: The theme park that defies the future

Just 10 km north of Poitiers, Futuroscope is an amusement park focused on image and communication technologies, offering thrilling attractions such as the Time Machine, Dancing with the Robots, or the Extraordinary Journey. Don't miss the breathtaking night-time shows such as Image Lake and Star Forge.

Living in the city: leisure activities and green spaces

Poitiers propose un éventail d’activités de loisirs et de détente pour tous les goûts, que vous soyez passionné de culture, de sport ou de nature. Profitez des événements culturels tout au long de l’année, tels que le festival de la bande dessinée, de cinéma, ou de musique. Les amateurs de sport pourront s’adonner au golf, au tennis, ou au canoë-kayak. Pour un moment de calme, explorez les espaces verts de la ville comme le parc de Blossac, le jardin des plantes, ou le bois de Saint-Pierre.

Studying in Poitiers: a stimulating environment for students

Poitiers, with its varied range of courses, dynamic student life and affordable cost of living, is a destination of choice for students. Whether your interests lie in law, literature, science, sport or art, Poitiers has the right school for you. Discover what Poitiers has to offer for your educational journey.

Université de Poitiers: a diversified range of courses

Founded in 1431, the University of Poitiers is one of the oldest in France and currently welcomes over 27,000 students, including 4,000 international students. It covers five major fields of study: law, economics and management; arts, humanities and languages; humanities and social sciences; science, technology and health; STAPS. With several campuses located in the city center, south-east of Poitiers and near Futuroscope, the university offers a wide range of services for its students, including libraries, university restaurants, residences, associations, sports and cultural activities.

Student life in Poitiers

Students play a central role in Poitiers, accounting for almost a fifth of the population. Every year, the city offers them a warm welcome, with a month dedicated to festive, cultural and convivial events. The many student associations offer a wide range of activities, from theater to solidarity. The Maison des Étudiants, a meeting place for students, regularly organizes exhibitions, conferences and concerts. What's more, the YOLO card offers students discounts at the city's retailers and cultural partners.

Finding accommodation: tips and advice

Poitiers is a city where it's relatively easy to find affordable accommodation. The average price of a studio apartment is 300 euros per month, while a two-room apartment costs around 400 euros per month. Housing options include CROUS university residences, offering rooms or studios at reduced rates; private residences, with comfortable, well-equipped apartments; home-stay accommodation, for a unique sharing experience; and roommates, ideal for bonding. To find the ideal accommodation, we recommend consulting specialized sites such as Lokaviz, Studapart and Leboncoin, or visiting the Espace logement étudiant for personalized assistance.

Living in Poitiers: integration and quality of life

Poitiers stands out for its remarkable quality of life, welcoming students, professionals and retirees with a dynamic job market, comprehensive transportation network and affordable cost of living. Discover the advantages of living in Poitiers.

The Poitiers job market

The city boasts a diversified economy with key sectors including higher education, research, industry, commerce, tourism and services. With over 10,000 companies, including leaders such as Safran, Thales, Alstom and Sanofi, Poitiers is a hub of innovation. The Futuroscope park, the Grand Poitiers technopole and the Elopsys competitiveness cluster all contribute to this. The local unemployment rate, although slightly higher than the national average, remains below that of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, with the education, health, retail, hotel-restaurant and business services sectors leading the way in terms of employment.

Transport and mobility: getting around the city with ease

Poitiers propose divers moyens de déplacement, incluant les transports en commun avec le réseau de bus Vitalis, l’accessibilité en train avec des liaisons rapides vers Paris, Bordeaux and Nantes, et des vols depuis son aéroport vers des destinations comme Lyon, Londres ou Edimbourg. Pour les automobilistes, les autoroutes A10 et A83 facilitent les déplacements régionaux. La ville promeut aussi le vélo avec des pistes cyclables et des services de location Cap’Vélo, sans oublier la possibilité de se promener à pied dans son centre historique et ses espaces verts.

Cost of living and housing: what you need to know

With a cost of living more affordable than in major French cities, Poitiers offers an economically attractive living environment. The average salary, the cost of a meal in a restaurant, the price of a cinema ticket and a liter of petrol reflect this affordability. Housing also remains reasonable, whether you're looking to rent a city-center apartment or a studio, with options for social housing, housing subsidies and shared accommodation.

Conclusion

Poitiers presents itself as a destination of choice, whether you're visiting, studying or living here. This city, with its remarkable historical and cultural heritage, offers a multitude of diversified activities. As a dynamic student city and center of innovation, Poitiers promises quality education and is home to the famous Futuroscope park.

Renowned for its pleasant atmosphere and friendly spirit, Poitiers ensures an excellent quality of life while facilitating the integration of new residents. If you'd like to discover Poitiers, visit the tourist office website to plan your stay, or contact the town hall directly for information on settling in.

Poitiers looks forward to welcoming you!

FAQ

Where to walk in Poitiers?

Poitiers offers a variety of walks to suit all interests. For lovers of historical and cultural heritage, Poitiers' historic district is a must. You'll discover Romanesque churches, the palace of the Counts of Poitou, the town hall and the Sainte-Croix museum. If you're more interested in nature and animals, the Parc de Blossac awaits you. This haven of greenery in the heart of the city offers gardens, a zoo, children's playgrounds and the chance to hire rosalies. Futuroscope, a future-oriented theme park, also offers unique sensory experiences and extraordinary shows.

What's in Poitiers?

Poitiers, a city in central-western France, is the capital of the Vienne département and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Renowned for its cultural and architectural heritage, it is home to Romanesque churches, a Gothic cathedral, a medieval palace and the Saint-Jean baptistery, the oldest Christian monument in the West. Poitiers is also a dynamic university town, welcoming over 30,000 students every year.

What to do in Poitiers

Poitiers offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes and ages. Lovers of adventure and science fiction will be enchanted by Futuroscope, a theme park offering immersive and interactive experiences based on the technologies of the future. For those interested in culture and heritage, the city is packed with Romanesque treasures, such as the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, the Saint-Jean baptistery and Saint-Pierre cathedral, witnesses to Poitiers' thousand-year history.

What is the nickname of the city of Poitiers?

Poitiers is nicknamed “The city of a hundred steeples”, a tribute to its rich religious heritage of Romanesque and Gothic churches.