The commune of Poitiers is part of the Poitou Charentes region and the Vienne department. This is an attractive place for tourists to visit in their Poitiers hire car as it has some fine Romanesque architecture. In fact Poitiers at one time had an amphitheatre that was even bigger than the amphitheatre in Nimes.
Even after the Roman occupation Poitiers was the scene of many conflicts. Located in the west of the central region of France, Poitiers was the site of two major battles - the Battle of Tours and the Battle of Poitiers in 1362 during the Hundred Years' War.
Poitiers Mini Guide
Poitiers has a very picturesque town centre with many buildings dating back to the Medieval era and before. Hiring a car in Poitiers allows you to discover some fascinating parts to the town.
A great place to start is at the second oldest church in France called Baptistere Saint-Jean which dates to the 4th century. The building is still in impeccable condition.
A short drive will find you at the stunning Palace of Poitiers which is the seat of the Dukes of Aquitaine. Another historical gem is the oldest church with Romanesque architecture in Europe the Eglise de Notre Dame La Grande. It is a worthwhile visit and you can feel the history as you enter. The 12th century Cathedrale Saint - Pierre is the city's main cathedral today.
The charming medieval town of Poiters is best visited by car and renting
car hire Poiters airport is an attractive option. Cheap, reliable vehicles are in stock at the Aeroport de Poitiers Biard.
For a change away from the churches is the Musee Sainte-Croix. The museum is the largest in Poitiers and contains a collection of medieval artifacts. One other church that is more than worthy of a visit, is the 11th century Eglise Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand. The building was put on the UNESCO World Heritage list as it is along one of the famed pilgrim's routes to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. There is a beautiful place to relax at the Jardin des Plantes de Poitiers. It is a park and a botanical garden.
The biggest attraction to the area is the Parc du Futurescope. This is a very modern theme park dedicated to visual communication technology. There is a huge IMAX Cinema, Kinemax, Digital city that is absolutely amazing. The park is hugely popular for local people and those in the surrounding regions.
The number of people that visit the area has been a boost to local tourism and the park is especially popular around the summer holidays and the infamous Bank Holiday weekend.
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