Vue du centre de Poitiers depuis les Dunes

Poitiers, a journey through time

Get on board for a weekend that looks back to the past and forward to the future: head for Poitiers, city of art history and Futuroscope.

Notre Dame La Grande à Poitiers

Just 1¼ hours by train from Paris, Poitiers awaits for a weekend of exciting experiences that reach back to the past and forward into the future. The ‘City of 100 Bell Towers’ (your mission, should you choose to accept it: count them!) is a great place to visit on foot, but be prepared for some exercise, because you’ll be going uphill and downhill.

The journey through time begins on pedestrian-only streets with the Middle Ages and onwards to the Renaissance. The carved white limestone facades and half-timbered houses near the Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande, one of the city’s many gems of Romanesque art, are testament to its rich history. After dusk, the illumination of the West Front in its original colours tells stories from the old and new Testaments with scenes announcing the coming of Jesus.

Eglise Notre-dame à Poitiers - Mise en lumière

In the former dining room of the Palace of the Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine, now the public lobby of the law courts, I suddenly have a vision of my heroine Eleanor of Aquitaine listening to her favourite troubadour Bernard of Ventadour from the Limousin…. From the Cathedral to the Church of Sainte-Radegonde is just a very short walk. The Choir, raised to provide access to the crypt where the sanctified Princess Radegonde is laid to rest, attracts the eye with its frescoes; a foretaste of those in the Church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Eglise Saint Jean de Montierneuf à Poitiers

In this rewinding of time, the fourth-century Baptistère Saint-Jean, reputed to be the oldest existing Christian building in France, is essential.

Tomorrow, it's off to Futuroscope and the machine that will propel you through time with the Raving Rabbids. Put on an animal costume and join Sid and his Ice Age friends, explore an extraordinary world as a mouse, scorpion or a chipmunk, and take a fast drive with Sébastien Loeb. Basically, immerse yourself in an entire world of unique and sensational experiences.

Tested specially for you: Hôtel de l’Europe

In the pedestrian-only streets of the city, just a 10-minute walk from the rail station, this hotel is ideally located for walking the city. Everything is easily accessible from here. Standard rooms have pleasant views over the small internal courtyard. The plus points are the excellent quality bed and bed linen, and the absolute peace and quiet. The delightful breakfast room opens onto a covered terrace overlooking the garden. The buffet breakfast is very generous, with homemade cake, fresh fruit, an excellent selection of teas, jams and Limousin cheeses!
www.hotel-europe-poitiers.com

Hôtel Mercure Poitiers

Address book:

Les Archives (restaurant, wine bar and tea room)
The restaurant of the Mercure Hotel occupies one of the most improbable locations: an ancient chapel. The tables are laid out in the nave flanked by immaculate white stone walls. The decorative style is restrained, but welcoming. Vegetarian menu from €26. Delicious and original. Tasting menu €27, full menu €39, very full menu €48
The room you should book: the one in the former chapel - it’s unique. Book well ahead for a very special experience.

www.lesarchives.fr

Le Rooftop: for a drink to music or a dinner with your head in the stars. The plus point for me (I have to say I just love rum babas) is the ‘Baba au Diplo” made with Diplomatico rum!

www.rooftop-poitiers.com

Le bonheur est dans le thé... I can vouch for it personally. The tea room is open every Saturday afternoon. I can’t resist the scones... obviously! Good to Know: outdoor terrace and lunchtime set menu with vegetarian option and vegan dessert available.

www.lebonheurestdanslethe.fr

Souvenir ideas: The Vienne Tourist Office Shop near Notre Dame La Grande. An excellent choice of local specialities: flavoured vinegars, local wines, Broyé de Poitou cakes in very pretty boxes, soaps, Montmorillon macaroons, handmade umbrellas, etc.

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Vélibleu

Vélibleu, the bicycle hire service for the Châtellerault area, is the final link in the public transport infrastructure for the region. Find us at Châtellerault railway station.

2 Boulevard Sadi Carnot 86100 CHATELLERAULT
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
Poi picture
Visa Entreprises : L'Instant Douceur (copie)

Venez découvrir l’univers gourmand et artisanal de l’Instant Douceur.


Ces pâtissiers confiseurs et chocolatiers vous feront admirer tout leur savoir-faire entre gâteaux, chocolats, bonbons ou salon de thés.
Lors de la visite, on vous présentera le travail du chocolat dans l’atelier. Puis, suivra une présentation passionnante sur le thé et ses bienfaits. Des dégustations de chocolats et de thés vous attendront en fin de visite.

Réservation obligatoire.
Nous vous donnons rendez-vous 15 minutes avant la visite munis de vos e-billets téléchargeables à l'issu de votre inscription. Vous devrez les présenter à l'accueil du site, soit sur votre smartphone soit en version imprimée.
Le port du masque sera obligatoire tout le long de l’animation.
3€ adultes / gratuit -12 ans

41 rue Bourbon 86100 CHATELLERAULT
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
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Musée Auto Moto Vélo

Chatellerault used to be a centre for the manufacture of arms, but this Museum houses more than 150 vehicles, a collection of different engines, accessories, posters... Try driving and learn how an engine works thanks to simulators, learn the highway code on these interactive simulators.This site received the La Vienne Quality rating in 2007. Not to be missed: the architectural heritage of Châtellerault.

3 rue Clément Krebs 86100 CHATELLERAULT
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
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Visa Entreprises : La Cafétière (copie)

Entrez dans l’univers du café et du thé où arômes et senteurs se mélangent.



Entreprise spécialisée dans la torréfaction de café et la vente de cafés. La Cafetière propose aussi plus de 300 thés différents, épicerie fine, machine à cafés avec broyeur à grains intégré, accessoires liés à la dégustation de thé et café.
La visite
Réservation obligatoire.
Nous vous donnons rendez-vous 15 minutes avant la visite munis de vos e-billets téléchargeables à l'issu de votre inscription. Vous devrez les présenter à l'accueil du site, soit sur votre smartphone soit en version imprimée.
Le port du masque sera obligatoire tout le long de l’animation. + autres consignes de visites

3€ adultes / gratuit -12 ans

Allée du Jardin du Directeur 86100 CHATELLERAULT
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
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Skate Park

The Manu, Châtellerault’s emblematic historical site is the temple of board sports with new facilities: the skate park and 1,500m² of slopes and slides.

3 Rue Clément Krebs 86100 CHATELLERAULT
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
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La Ligne Verte

This green Way begins to Châtellerault on the left bank (West) of Vienne. The cover is very uneven according to sections: in gravillonné filler, or crushed or sand-colored compacted limestone. It is a cultural walk with numerous panels on the heritage, the history of the railroad and the local history, the flora, … It is possible to continue until Loudun on small marked out roads +( 12km ). Length: 39 km.

86100 CHATELLERAULT
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -
- Comité Régional du Tourisme de Nouvelle-Aquitaine -