Poitiers is a city full of monuments, which is a frequent destination for tourists. One of the most important Romanesque buildings in France, the Church of Notre-Dame, is located here. In the suburbs, on the other hand, you can visit the Futuroscope entertainment center.
The city went down in history with three great battles. In 507, King Chlodwig I defeated the army of the Visigoths here, and in 732, Karol Hammer defeated the Arab army using heavy-armed cavalry. In turn, during the Hundred Years' War in 1356, the French suffered a miserable defeat at the hands of Welsh archers, and King Jan Dobry was taken prisoner.
The center of Poitiers has preserved many valuable monuments from the medieval period. Its heart is the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame la Grande. Built in the 12th century, with a magnificent facade full of sculptures, it houses beautiful Romanesque frescoes. Other religious monuments are also interesting, such as the Gothic cathedral of St. Peter, the Church of Saint-Hilaire le Grand and the Church of St. Radegondas. The attractions of Poitiers also include one of the oldest religious buildings in France, the Baptistery of St. John, where the Merovingian rulers are buried. In the city, you can also see the palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine and the former abbey, which now houses the Museum of the Holy Cross.
There is an interesting modern family attraction on the outskirts of Poitiers. It is the Futuroscope film center with 3D cinemas, interactive exhibitions and playrooms for children and adults.
