Holiday Inn Express Poitiers-Futuroscope

La Belle France

by Andrew_W_K

"Normandy"

The thing I love about Normandy is how rural it is generally yet still within a stones throw of Paris and other major cities. I love Normandy in late summer when the apple trees are full of fruit and the light has a certain hazy quality. There are loads of places to go and things to do as well. From Mont St Michel in the south - one of the most iconic sights in all of France to the magnificence of Rouen with its churches and cathedrals.
The museum of peace in Caen is one of the best and most moving museums I have ever visited - take the spiral descent into 20th century events until you arrive at the rise of the third riech and you will be chilled to the bone.
The beaches are family oriented and some are vast like the one at Caranten.
The half timbered cottages that abound are more reminiscent of Herefordshire than France and are a delight in themselves.
There is a corniche road that follows the coast and brings you to the town of Honfleur - with one of the prettiest harbours anywhere.
Also worth the trip are the D-day beaches and cemetaries - another chilling reminder of events that took place in the fight against the Nazis.
Close to the D-day beaches is the town of Bayeaux where there is a fantastic cathedral and the famous tapestry.
Like I said at the start - loads of things to do and places to see.

"Churches"

France has more than its fair share of grand cathedrals - world famous structures that are instantly recognisable. From Notre Dame to Chartres to Rouen etc. With all these fabulous buildings its easy to overlook the smaller churches that abound in France. And although they aren't nearly as pretty as the Byzantine churches of Greece they are nonetheless worthy of note.

"Poitou - Charente"

Another region worth visiting for its diverse sights. Roman remains in the town of Saintes, Futurescope near Poitiers, the classy town of La Rochelle, the Ille D'Oleron and Ille De Re, Napoleonic forts at Fouras and the world famous Fort Boyard, fantastic beaches along the Gironde and pretty little village of Talmont sur Gironde. Also the town of Cognac where you can visit the most famous distilleries in the world. You need a car though as its a big region and public transport won't get you to all these places easily.

Visit the Porch-Belfry of St.-Porchaire (1)

by hquittner

Immediately after leaving our hotel at the old town center we came upon an attractive bell-tower of the 11C. Its porch entry was Romanesque with two very early capitals (almost contemporary with the first at Moissac). The one on the right was a Daniel being divinely delivered from the lions; the other showed two birds drinking from a chalice separated by a sprig of foliage from a Lion (more like a pussy-cat). On high the three level tower had fine arches rough sculptures and carved brackets and modillons under the four panel pyramidal roof. Obviously much influence must have been used to get these early artisans to Poitiers at that time. Entering the porch to visit the church we saw a grave-stone slab of the period.

Poitiers, FR

by dromosapien

"dromosapien"

Eglise Notre Dame la Grande

-Church of Our Lady the Great, façade 1150

constructed: 1086 on the site of an earlier church
location: 55 Place Charles de Gaulle

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* Poitiers, population: 91,000
a Clain river city and the capital of the Vienne Department and of the Poitou-Charentes Region

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"Eglise Sainte Radegonde"

- Church of Saint Radegunda, Prior to the death of St. Radegonde (519-587) it was named Sainte-Marie-Hors-les-Murs / Sain Mary Outside the Walls

constructed: 11th century after the destruction of the earlier church in 877
location: Quartier de Montbernage

"Hotel de Ville"

- city hall

constructed: 1869-1875. as a city hall and fine arts museum that relocated in 1974
architect: Antoine Gaëtan Guérinot (1830-1891)
location: 15 Place du Maréchal Leclerc

Futoroscope

by NickiE

For the moment here are some photos of futuroscope, Poitiers biggest tourist attraction! I only went there once in the year, which was enough, but it was worth it, with some great rides and shows!

I'll add some more details when I have the time! But its worth noting that its really helpful if you understand french as most of the commentary is in french.