Poitiers



Poitiers is a city in France, the capital (préfecture) of the Vienne département and of the Poitou-Charentes région. The town is picturesque; and its streets are interesting for their remains of ancient architecture, especially of the Romanesque period, and the memories of great historical events. Poitiers is strategically situated on the Seuil du Poitou, a shallow zone joining the Armorican to the Central Massif and connecting the Aquitaine Basin to the Paris Basin. The site of Poitiers is a vast promontory between the valleys of Boivre and Clain. The old town occupies the slopes and summit of a plateau which rises 130 feet (40 m) above the level of the streams by which it is surrounded on three sides.

People in Poitiers are called Pictaviens (masculine) and Pictaviennes (feminine). One of every 3 people in Poitiers is under the age of 30, and 1 of every 4 people in Poitiers is a student.

HISTORY OF POITIERS
The city was the capital of the Pictons, a Gallic people, and under the Romans was called Limonum. Christianized early in Roman times, it was a stronghold of orthodoxy under its first bishop, St. Hilary of Poitiers (4th cent.), and, because of its important monasteries, was a great religious center of Gaul. A residence of Visigoth kings, the city was captured (507) by the Franks under Clovis I. In 732, Charles Martel turned the Muslim tide by defeating the Saracens between Poitiers and Tours. Poitiers was often sacked by the Normans in the 9th cent. It was twice under English rule (1152-1204, 1360-72) and was the location of the brilliant court of Eleanor of Aquitaine. At Poitiers in 1356, Edward the Black Prince defeated and captured John II of France and his son, Philip the Bold of Burgundy. Charles VII had his court in Poitiers from 1423 to 1436 and founded a university there in 1432. In the Wars of Religion (1562-98) the city was unsuccessfully besieged (1568) by the Huguenots; in 1577 the Peace of Bergerac (also known as the Edict of Poitiers) was signed there granting religious freedom. Architecturally, Poitiers is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. There are Roman amphitheaters and baths, the baptistery of St. John (4th-12th cent.), the Cathedral of St. Pierre (12th-14th cent.), the courthouse (12th-15th cent., formerly a royal residence), as well as numerous other churches and late medieval and Renaissance residences. The ancient capital of Poitou, it is now an industrial, agricultural, and communications center. Poitiers's industries include metallurgy, machine building, printing, and the manufacture of chemicals and electrical equipment.

More informations about the History of Poitiers on the Poitiers !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Poitiers on the Poitiers and/or visit the Official Website of the Office of Tourism !

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here are some places where you can find Internet and/or Wifi access for free:


 * Centre Socio-Culturel des Trois Cités - Address: Place de France - Tel: 05 49 30 04 75
 * M3Q Le Maillon - Address: 20-22 rue de la Chaîne - Tel: 05 49 88 05 55
 * Cyber Corner - Address: 18bis rue Charles Gide - Tel: 05 49 41 37 06
 * Espace Mendès France - Address: 1 place de la Cathédrale - BP 80964 - Tel: 05 49 50 33 08
 * CRIJ POITOU CHARENTES - Address: 64 rue Gambetta BP 176 86004 Poitiers - Tel: 05 49 60 68 67

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 60 Couchsurfers who live in Poitiers and some others in the area. Feel free to contact them by finding them on the Couchsearch Page or by leaving a post or a message on the CS Group of Poitiers or the Poitou-Charentes CS Group (regional group).

Meetings
There are often CS meetings in Poitiers. Check the CS Group of Poitiers or the Poitou-Charentes CS Group (the regional group) to see and stay informed about what is happening in the area.

How to get to Poitiers

 * By Car:


 * By Train:


 * By Plane:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY



 * Police Station:

Police/Police Nationale 17
 * Health Urgency:

Medical help/SAMU 15
 * Hospital:

CHRU de Poitiers - La Miletrie

Tel: 05 49 44 44 44

Fax: 05 49 44 39 80

Adress: 2 rue de la Miletrie 86021 Poitiers

CHRU de Poitiers - La Miletrie

2 / 8 CENTRE HOSPITALIER HENRI LABORIT

Tel: 05 49 44 57 57 Fax: 05 49 44 57 33

Adress: 370 AVENUE JACQUES COEUR 86021 POITIERS


 * Fire Station:

Fire & accident/Sapeurs Pompiers 18
 * Embassy:
 * Emergency Doctor:

SOS Médecins France: After hours medical advice and help from qualified doctors Tel: 36 24

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS


Poitiers

INTERESTING LINKS</FONT>
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 * Regional Group: Poitou-Charentes
 * Departemental Group: "(86) Vienne
 * Local CS Group: Poitiers and/or * Local CS Group: "(86) Poitiers"


 * Poitiers on Wikivoyage
 * Poitiers on Hitchwiki
 * Poitiers on Wikipedia

hitch:Poitiers