Advice

We'd like to take a quick break from your visit to introduce you to other points of interest that we weren't able to include in the itinerary. First of all, you should know that Gallo-Roman remains can be found in Poitiers, even if they are rather subtle. Although Lemonum was an ancient city, it lived through a prestigious era. On Bourcanie street, you can see part of the wall of the Roman amphitheatre in Poitiers. However, if you are interested in finding out more about this part of its history and those that followed, the Sainte-Croix museum in Poitiers boasts impressive collections dating from prehistory to the 20th century. It's also the place to go if you want to see the wooden statue of the dragon Grand'Goule! Poitiers is nicknamed ‘the city of a hundred bell towers’. Although it's a bit of an exaggeration, you'll soon realise why! Make sure you visit the church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand, built on the presumed site of Saint-Hilaire's tomb. Born in Poitiers around 315, he was the city's first documented bishop. From the 12th century onwards, the church became an important pilgrimage site on the route to Santiago de Compostela. As such, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entrance is free, enabling you to discover some remarkable paintings, whose remains hint at a rich past. If you haven't had your fill of religious art, head to Saint-Savin Abbey, 50km away, to discover the largest collection of mural art in Europe! The abbey has been described as the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque period, with over 400m² of frescoed ceilings 17 metres above the ground. If you're interested in the medieval period, be sure to visit Chauvigny, around twenty kilometres from Poitiers. Listed as one of France's most beautiful detours, this small town boasts not one, but five castles standing on a rocky promontory. You can even watch a falconry show in the setting of the bishops' castle. For those of you with a more romantic spirit, you can take time out to explore the mysterious Château de la Mothe Chandeniers, set in the heart of lush countryside. This fantastic estate was bought by a thousand internet users as part of d'Artagnan's ‘Adopt a Castle’ campaign, and is sure to delight old stone enthusiasts. Another interesting place to visit in the area is the charming medieval town of Lusignan. The birthplace of the Mélusine fairy legend, Lusignan boasts a beautiful Romanesque church, medieval covered markets and a 19th-century viaduct with 22 arches. This ancient fortified town, nestling in the heart of a large oak forest, is the perfect place for a day out, combining nature and history, heritage and legend, just a stone's throw from Poitiers. The Futuroscope theme park is, of course, one of the region's star attractions. Well, with all this, you've got plenty of things to do if you feel like staying in the area for a while.