Poitiers
A university city halfway between Paris and Bordeaux, known for its Romanesque churches and the Futuroscope park about 10 km north.
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Poitiers is a university city on the Clain river in west-central France and the capital of the Vienne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It lies about halfway between Paris and Bordeaux, on a shallow gap linking the Aquitaine Basin to the south with the Paris Basin to the north. The old town sits on a plateau about 40 metres above the Boivre and Clain valleys, which made it strategically defensible. The city was the historical centre of the Poitou province and is still popularly called the "City of a hundred bell towers".
Come for the Romanesque churches. The Baptistère Saint-Jean, dating from the 4th century, is described as the oldest church in France, and Notre-Dame-la-Grande, a 12th-century building, is described as the oldest Romanesque church in Europe. Poitiers Cathedral is where Eleanor of Aquitaine married the future Henry II of England in 1152. Twelve town-centre streets are closed to cars, so the old town is best covered on foot. Futuroscope, in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, focuses on visual communication technology and draws about two million visitors a year. The direct TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Poitiers in five
- See Notre-Dame-la-Grande's carved frontThe Romanesque facade is the best-known sight and is covered in sculpture. It is beside a pleasant market square, so allow time for a coffee and a short walk.
- Visit the Baptistère Saint-JeanOne of the oldest Christian buildings in France, dating from late antiquity. Check opening days on the site, as it is small and hours vary.
- Go to Futuroscope by trainThe theme park lies a few kilometers north, and a short train or bus runs from Poitiers. Check the official site for opening dates, tickets and combined rail offers.Tours and tickets
- Use Poitiers as a rail stopTGVs link Poitiers to Paris in about 1.5 hours and to Bordeaux in about 1.5–2 hours. A night here breaks the run well.Bordeaux travel guide
- Pair it with La Rochelle or LimogesRegional trains reach La Rochelle on the coast and Limoges inland. Both are about 1.5–2 hours away, so choose one rather than both.La Rochelle travel guide
Things to do in Poitiers
See all attractions in Poitiers
Need to know
- Airport
- Poitiers-Biard (PIS), a few flights; trains are better
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris about 1.5 hrs; Bordeaux about 1.5–2 hrs
- Getting around
- Walkable old town on a hill; buses and trains to Futuroscope
- Best base
- Near the old town and Notre-Dame-la-Grande
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Futuroscope
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, dampJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cold, dampFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Mild, breezyMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, breezy
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Spring, terracesAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, terraces
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, long daysMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Warm, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Mild, goldenSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Cool, autumnOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cold, rainNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cold, short daysDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, short days
Average daily high and low in Poitiers, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Poitiers
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Poitiers
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°2°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°1°13%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Thu14°3°13%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Fri13°2°13%Friday: Fog. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sat11°2°7%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun11°3°46%Sunday: Rain. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 46%.
Updated 09:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Futuroscopeabout 15–25 min by train or busA theme park with media-driven rides; it suits families.
- La Rochelleabout 1.5–2 hours by trainA harbor city with towers and a long seafront.Read the guide
- Marais Poitevinabout 1–1.5 hours by carA green maze of canals, explored by flat boat.
- Limogesabout 1.5 hours by trainA porcelain city with a small old quarter.Read the guide
Before you go to Poitiers
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Rules for Poitiers, checked
- Schengen rules apply in France. Check passport and visa requirements for your nationality on the official France-Visas website before you travel.Source
- Twelve town-centre streets have been closed to motor vehicles since 2010, so leave your car outside the pedestrian zone and walk in.
- Dial 112 for any emergency in France. The police number is 17 and the ambulance service is 15.
Plan around Poitiers
Regions, cities and entry rules
Read the guideLa Rochelle travel guideHarbor city, about 1.5–2 hrs by rail
Read the guideLimoges travel guidePorcelain city to the east
Read the guideAtlantic CoastBeaches and islands west of Poitiers
Read the guideLoire Valley travel guideChâteaux to the north
Read the guidePoitiers FAQ
Is Poitiers worth visiting?
For a night, yes. It has some of the best Romanesque architecture in France and a relaxed university feel. Most visitors come for Futuroscope or as a stop on the Paris to Bordeaux line.
How many days do you need in Poitiers?
One day for the old town and the churches. A second day if you add Futuroscope or the Marais Poitevin.
How far is Poitiers from Paris by train?
About 1.5 hours on the TGV from Paris Montparnasse. Book early for weekends, and check which services stop at the main station.
How do you get from Poitiers to Futuroscope?
By a short train or bus ride of about 15–25 minutes. Check the official site for the current timetable and for combined entry and rail offers.
Is Poitiers a good base for the Loire Valley?
It is better for the Atlantic coast and the Marais Poitevin. For the Loire châteaux, base in Tours, Blois or Orléans.