Residhome Residence Lamartine

Allez les Bleus

by barryg23

We watched the final of Euro 2000 between France and Italy in an Irish pub in Poitiers quite close to the centre of town. The mood was subdued for most of the game as France weren't playing particularly well. Italy took the lead early in the second half and it seemed they would just about hold out for a win. Then, near the end of the game, Sylvain Wiltord scored a goal out of nowhere and the pub really came alive. From then on it was all France and Trezeguet scored the winner in extra time. Poitiers, like the rest of France, went crazy that evening and there were people on the streets (including us) until the early hours.

Go To the Cathedral St.-Pierre (1)

by hquittner

On their 10th Wedding Anniversary (1162), Eleanor had badgered Henry II into putting up the funds to build St.-Pierre at Poitiers for her. However it proceeded slowly and was finished by Philippe August when France retook Poitiers long after their deaths, finishing in 1271. The nave was extended in the 14C by two bays and the facade buttressed with the bases of lateral towers. The portals and their tympani are late 13C. This makes the front quite wide. This is a hall church, meaning that the aisles are almost as tall as the nave. But although the lateral walls are buttressed there are no flying buttresses outside. Eventually another story in octagonal shape was added to the North (lt) tower in the 15C but no spire was added leaving two rather ugly unequal lumps. There is a fine Rose window under the central West gable, which has on its tip a Gabriel sounding his horn in welcome to prayer.

Poitiers

by Andrew_W_K

"Old and charming"

The city of Poitiers dates back before even the Romans and is full of history and places of interest. Quite a bit of good archaeology exists from the Roman period. Poitiers was hugely important during the hundred years war with England as a major battle took place here and they even made Poitiers the capital while the English occupied Paris.
Today the city is a very pleasant and picturesque place to spend a day or two as a tourist.

"The second oldest church in France"

This is the Baptistère Saint-Jean which is reputed to be the second oldest church in France. Dating from the 5th century it reminded me a little of the Byzantium style of churches. It hasn't always been so well regarded. Bits of it have fallen off over the years and not replaced and at one point it had fallen out of the control of the church and was being used as a warehouse.
Happily those days are gone now and the building is treated with the respect it deserves.