"Strategically situated at a crossroads of trade routes, the Roman town of Limonum was a buzzing place to be around the 1 st century AD with an amphitheatre seating more than 30,000 citizens of the Empire. And 2,000 years on, 21 st century Poitiers is still an attractive option for a relaxed weekend break or as a stopover on a tour through Nouvelle-Aquitaine."
"With its rich history and compact, walkable centre, Poitiers is a delight for lovers of history and heritage, but there is a contemporary vibe too with half of all residents being under 30, thanks to the city's large student population. And with one of the country's biggest and best theme parks on the doorstep, plus a brand-new water park, Poitiers is keeping up the ancient Roman tradition of providing a good time for all."
"I am standing in the underground gallery of the Sainte-Croix Museum, where the spirit of the Empire is still tangible thanks to exposed Roman foundations uncovered beneath the former abbey of Sainte-Croix. I have a real sense of people too as I linger over fragments of rare gladiator helmets and a stunning marble statue of Athena discovered by construction workers in 1910."
Poitiers is the capital of the historic Poitou region in west-central France, offering a compact, walkable centre rich in Roman and medieval heritage. The Roman town of Limonum once supported a vast amphitheatre seating over 30,000, and traces of the ancient city survive in cellars and built into later structures. The Sainte-Croix Museum exposes Roman foundations and archaeological finds including gladiator helmet fragments and a marble Athena statue. A lively contemporary vibe stems from a large student population, with half of residents under thirty. Major leisure draws include one of France’s largest theme parks and a new water park, making Poitiers suitable for relaxed weekend breaks or regional stopovers.
Read at The Good Life France
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