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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. Something many might know is that Poitiers is also an old university city. Indeed the University of Poitiers was founded in 1431. It was soon to become a center of learning famous throughout Europe with many of the world's greatest thinkers and philosophers having studied there. The modern-day Poitiers University in fact is responsible for around 14% of the entire population of the city during term time! It is thus one of the most important universities in France and home to a range of faculties in most disciplines. During the summer months, you will encounter spectacles on the corner of every street and in every square. These are often free and, most of the time, are in the open air, in public gardens, on the monumental esplanade or on caf terraces. It is a real opportunity to meet the locals - from theatre, the Musette ball in the old style, to exhibitions or debates in the "philosophical cafs". In this way, it's plain to see that art and culture are alive and well throughout Poitiers. 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. 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. 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. 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.europe-property.org/articles
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