FOR STUDENTS

Introduction to Poitiers

• INTRODUCTION TO MODERN DAY POITIERS:

  Poitiers is the capital of the Vienne department in western France. Poitiers has a population of approximately 120,000 people. Twenty-five percent of that population is university students. Poitiers is situated at the meeting point of the Boivre and Clain Rivers. Poitiers is situated on top of a hill rising 130 feet above the level of its surrounding rivers on three sides. Today, Poitiers is home to the Université de Poitiers which has disciplines in law, science, letters (languages), a school of medicine, pharmacy, theology, and fine art. The city is now a center of communications, industry, and agriculture. It produces such goods as: the manufacture of chemicals and electrical equipment, farm produce, wine, wool, cattle, honey, leather, machine building, printing, and other such valuable products. Poitiers also contains the seat of a bishop, a prefect, a court of appeal, a branch of the bank of France, and other such institutions. Although Poitiers is a city rich in ancient history, it has evolved into a modern, industrial city yet retains the flair of medieval times.

• BRIEF HISTORY OF POITIERS:

  Poitiers was called Limonum during the time of the Roman Conquests. It later took its name from its founders, the Gallic people who used it as a capital (the Pictons,Pictones, or Pictavi). The city became a Christian city early on during Roman times in the 3rd century. Its first bishop was St. Hilarius or St. Hilary of Poitiers (350 to 367). Poitiers contained several important monasteries at that time and was therefore considered to be Gaul's religious center. Fifty years after, the Arian Visigoths conquered Poitiers and one of their kings made it his principal residence. In 507, the city switched hands when Clovis I, a Frank, captured the city in a battle not far from Poitiers. This caused both the northern and the southern people of Gaul to meet in conflict. The city was in danger in 732 when the Saracens, a Muslim people, tried to capture Poitiers. They were unsuccessful, however, when defeated by Charles Martel, considered to be not only the victorious in battle but also the savior of Christianity in the town. In the 9th century, Poitiers was often ransacked by the Normans. It also was under English rule twice in the years of 1152-1204 and 1360-1372. After the Battle of Poitiers on September 19, 1356, Edward the Black Prince of England defeated and later captured the French king, John II and his son, Philip the Bold of Burgundy. This battle was considered to be the second of England's three great victories in the Hundred Years' War. Poitiers was recognized as an English possession by the Treaty of Brittany in 1360. It was recovered in 1373 by Bertrand du Guesclin.

  In 1429, the famous Joan of Arc came to Poitiers to be questioned about her mission. In 1432, Charles VII was proclaimed King of France in Poitiers. He removed the country's parliament and the university of Paris during this time period until the English withdrew from Paris in 1436. He founded the Université de Poitiers here in 1432. During the Wars of Religion (1562-1598), the Huguenots tried unsuccessfully to capture the city in 1568. In 1577, the Edict of Poitiers was signed granting religious freedom.

  Poitiers contains many historical landmarks from its churches to the ruins from Roman times. Until 1857, Poitiers had the remains of a very extensive Roman amphitheatre, remains of Roman baths which were built in the 1st century and destroyed in the 3rd century. There were also several tombs of Christian martyrs discovered in 1879.

  Modern Poitiers still contains many examples from its rich path. Walking through its streets is like taking an architectural walk through time. Churches date from the 4th century and some houses from the 15th century. Poitiers is truly a remarkable city cataloguing an important part of France's history.