Why go
- Prefecture and commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
- Served by Poitiers-Biard Airport (PIS).
History
Poitiers is a university city on the river Clain in west-central France. It is a commune, the capital of the Vienne department, part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France, and the historical center of Poitou Province. In 2022, the commune of Poitiers had a population of 89,427. Also in 2022, its conurbation had 133,833 inhabitants and its functional area 281,452 inhabitants. It is a city of art and history, still known popularly as the "Ville aux cent clochers".
Restaurants & places to go
226 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 5 direct destinations
- Airlinair A5 (ATR 42) · 3 routes: Ajaccio, La Rochelle, Lyon
- Air France AF (ATR 42) · 2 routes: La Rochelle*, Lyon*
- Ryanair FR (737-800) · 2 routes: London, Shannon
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Poitiers-Biard Airport (PIS); 19 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: PIS has direct flights to 5 destinations on 3 airlines (incl. La Rochelle, Lyon, Ajaccio, London, Shannon). By water: ferry routes serve the area; routes include Bac à chaîne La Faravelle, Bac à corde de Bonillet, Aventure Éclabousse.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Poitiers. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.