by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:21st April 2026
Full of alluring French charm
Poitiers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine is our penultimate destination on our fantastic two-week EV road trip through France.
During our EV French road trip, we kept to the back roads of France as much as possible. After rolling off Le Shuttle at Calais, we visited the delightful medieval towns of Provins in Île-de-France and Semur-en-Auxois in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. We explored Sisteron, located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, then visited Antibes and Sète on the Mediterranean coast, and also took in a little detour to the walled city of Aigues-Mortes.
While in the South of France, we squeezed in a stay at one of our favourite places in Provence, Saint-Remy-de-Provence. From here, we headed off on a mini road trip to experience seven more Provence towns and villages.
Why not Pin it for later?
Now journeying north through France, we stayed in the UNESCO city of Albi in Occitania, then in the colourful town of Bergerac in Dordogne, before arriving in Poitiers. It’s then off to our final destination of Le Mans.
Did you catch our inspiration for this French road trip?
Where is Poitiers?
How to get to Poitiers
- By Car
Departing from the UK to France, there are various options. You can either jump on Le Shuttle and arrive in Calais in 35 minutes or enjoy a leisurely cruise on the open waves with Brittany Ferries, DFDS or P&O.
- By Air
If you’re flying into France, search for your flights within your preferred travel search engine for your favoured routes and chosen dates.
Brief history of Poitiers
Evolving through the centuriesThe historic city of Poitiers in western France is one of the country’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements, with roots stretching back to Roman times. Known then as Limonum, it was an important administrative centre in Roman Gaul and prospered thanks to its strategic position between the Loire Valley and Aquitaine. The Romans left their mark with impressive monuments, including a large amphitheatre and extensive baths. Unfortunately, very little remains today.
Hôtel de Ville at night
One of the most significant events associated with the city is the Battle of Tours in 732, often regarded as a turning point in European history. The city flourished in the medieval period, leaving behind remarkable Romanesque architecture, most notably the richly sculpted façade of Église Notre-Dame-la-Grande and the imposing Palais des Comtes de Poitou, one of the finest surviving medieval palace complexes in France.
Baptistère Saint-Jean
Poitiers prospered as a centre of learning, and the founding of the University of Poitiers in 1431 reinforced its reputation as an intellectual hub. Today, Poitiers’ compact historic centre still reflects this long and layered past, with narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and churches that tell the story of more than two thousand years of history.
Stay informed
You will find us across many forms of social media. You will find our latest posts, some throwbacks, links to historic events with our 'On this day' posts, across Facebook, X, Bluesky & Threads. Each week, themed visual content on Instagram, and our narrated travels on YouTube. Collections of the images in our posts are also collated into boards on Pinterest.
Exploring the streets of Poitiers
Awash with medieval charmIt’s such a delight strolling amongst the historic streets of Poitiers. The lanes weave across a hilltop above the Clain and Boivre Rivers, creating a wonderfully atmospheric medieval centre.
Historic Streets
Church of Saint-Porchaire
Narrow cobbled passageways and small squares reveal centuries of history, where half-timbered houses, Renaissance façades, and Romanesque churches sit side by side.
Attractive buildings in Poitiers
Wandering through streets such as Rue de la Chaîne or around Place Charles‑de‑Gaulle, you’ll find traces of Poitiers’ long past as a key city in Aquitaine. The layout still reflects its medieval origins, with winding alleys, hidden courtyards, and sudden views of landmarks like Église Notre‑Dame‑la‑Grande, one of the finest Romanesque churches in France.
Hôtel de Ville
Place du Maréchal-Leclerc in Poitiers is the city’s main central square. This bustling square was once home to a Roman forum and a medieval market, which evolved into a ceremonial and civic space. The plaza is now dominated by Poitiers’s 19th century Hôtel de Ville and surrounded by grand city buildings.
France Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to tour France and discover all the delightful things it has to offer, take a peek at the official French Tourism website. The local tourist offices dotted around towns and cities provide some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around each region.
I love nothing more than planning a trip through France and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our French road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
Église Notre‑Dame‑la‑Grande, Poitiers
Walking in the footsteps of historyThe Église Notre‑Dame‑la‑Grande in Place Charles-de-Gaulle is a stunning church to see. It isn’t towering and imposing like some city churches; however, this beautiful church is equally magnificent.
Église Notre‑Dame‑la‑Grande
The Église Notre‑Dame‑la‑Grande is one of the finest surviving examples of Romanesque architecture in western France and stands in the historic centre of Poitiers. Built mainly during the 11th and 12th centuries, the church is especially famous for its richly sculpted western façade, which is adorned with biblical scenes and symbolic figures carved in limestone.
These carvings depict stories from both the Old and New Testaments, forming a remarkable stone “narrative” designed to teach medieval worshippers the key themes of Christian belief.
Decorative columns in the nave
Inside, the church is equally striking. The interior retains traces of colourful medieval wall paintings that once covered much of the building, offering a glimpse of how vibrant Romanesque churches originally appeared.
Despite its relatively modest size, Notre-Dame-la-Grande played an important role in the religious life of Poitiers during the Middle Ages and remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks today.
The illuminated façade
During the summer months, the church is illuminated in the evenings with projections that highlight the intricate sculpture on its façade. It’s an incredible sight to see. I urge you to stay for the evening and soak up the free light show.
Visiting the Palace of Poitiers
Palace Of the Aquitaine DukesThe Palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine in Poitiers is one of the most remarkable surviving examples of medieval secular architecture in France. Originally built in the 10th century as the residence of the powerful Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine.
Palace of Poitiers
The palace reached its height of importance in the 12th century during the reign of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor, one of the most influential women of the Middle Ages, held her court here, making Poitiers an important political and cultural centre of the Aquitaine region.
La Salle des pas perdus
The palace’s most impressive feature is the vast Great Hall, known as the Salle des Pas Perdus (‘the hall of lost steps’, rebuilt in the late 12th century after a fire. With its remarkable Romanesque architecture, decorative columns, and carved capitals, the hall once hosted ducal ceremonies, banquets, and judicial assemblies.
Inside the Great Hall
Over the centuries, the building evolved into the city’s courthouse, and today the former ducal palace still stands in the historic centre of Poitiers as a powerful reminder of the city’s medieval prestige and its connection to the powerful dukes of Aquitaine.
If like us, you love visiting different regions of France, then this 'DK Eyewitness Road Trips France' guide will definitely assist in your planning.
We regularly use DK travel guides, and this book is ideal for cross-country road trips through France. Grab yourself a recently revised edition and start plotting your route.
Crit'Air vignette required for driving in France
If you’re heading to France from the UK with your own vehicle, you’ll need a Crit’Air ‘clean air’ car sticker.
Just like our low-emission zones in the UK, France now legally requires the display of a Crit’Air vignette. The good news is, these stickers are readily available and affordable online through the official French government website.
The Crit’Air sticker lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, so it’s a one-off purchase. The RAC website offers an in-depth guide to everything you need to know and your requirements.
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