Experience in Poitiers, France by Sophie

What is it like to live in Poitiers? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Poitiers is a historical and rich city by the architecture and monuments: the Church of Notre-Dame-La-Grande and the of the artists Skertzo, the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and the Clicquot organ, the Baptistery of St John etc...

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Poitiers offers also a high quality living environment whether it is teaching, culture, leisure, nature. Specially these past few years, Poitiers has increased in terms of activities specially during summer or holidays: this year in June, Basketball champions from all around the world were invited for a week to play on the main square of the town hall; every 21 of June, there is music parties in the streets everywhere in the city.

Poitiers is also known for the Futuroscope which is a futuristic attraction park. You also have several parks around the city such as the monkeys' valley, the crocodile's/turtles planet, Abyssea (an aquatic complex).

I would definitely recommend Poitiers but during the summer or for the students I would recommend to go in residence during the year if you want to discover student parties and so on..

What is the student lifestyle like in Poitiers?

Student lifestyle in Poitiers is not that bad; specially if you are in a residence. You have more chances to discover student lifestyle and the parties. During the year they are multiple parties specially for Erasmus students. You have special nights in the clubs as well such as foam parties etc... The University of Poitiers proposes sometimes in the year some concerts on the campus or shows and activities such as hip hop shows etc... Every Friday night they are some shows at the student house, located on the campus.

For those who are not keen to do parties, there is plenty of places where they can go to work or relax, such as the "Médiathèque" (big library/media in the city center) or some library coffees (places where you can go to study and order some drinks and tapas). You have the parks as well where you can go and relax, even exercise (do some sports, run... ).

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How much does it cost to live in Poitiers?

Rents in general are not so expensive, depending on where you apply. Residence rents varies from €150 to 400. You can find some private apartments in the city center for only €480/€500 or even less. You just need to know where to look.

But the prices at the restaurants/kebabs/grocery stores/supermarkets are a bit expensive compared to Germany. The prices are a bit higher.

But still nothing you can not afford.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Poitiers? Is there any advice you can give?

No big difficulties to find places in Poitiers compared to Bremen. As I said in my previous answer, you can easily find a place to leave in cheap price. For students I will recommend those residence for students: Marie curie (which is between the campus and the city center so perfect location if you want to party), Descartes and Rabelais (on the campus). Those 3 are the cheapest. You also have other student residence of course.

If you want to look for an accommodation in the city center or somewhere else in Poitiers you have those 2 big agency: Sipea and Logiparc. They charge less then private agencies and they have multiple choices and propose usually very cheap prices for accommodations.

Or you also have this website where you can easily find announces from renters: Leboncoin Poitiers.

If you find an apartment not furnished you can find some cheap furnitures on: le Bazard du poitevin (they have a Facebook webpage).

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The specialities are the: préfou (garlic bread), fougasse (like a bruschetta/pizza) and "le broyer" (which is special cookie). Special drink is the Pineau (fruity grape alcohol).

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Otherwise food is pretty much the same everywhere with the kebabs, fast foods, restaurants etc...

I don't have any special dish.

What places would you recommend visiting in Poitiers?

I would recommend you to go to the Futuroscope (Futuristic park), Baptistère St Jean (one of the oldest baptistery in France), The arenas of Poitiers which date from the Roman era, Abyssea, St Cyr (big area with a lac and small beaches where people go in summer, you can do a lot of activities there). There are too much places so if you want a tour of Poitiers you should probably go to the tourism office (office du tourisme) and ask for maps and advice on what to visit according of what you like..

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Is it good to eat out in Poitiers? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes it's alright; I like the What's Up Coffee, Café Populaire is a very good restaurant (in the city center). Most of the restaurants/pubs in the city center are good but a bit expensive. The popular pub is the Wallaby's pub, you have all kind of parties there -in the city center as well. Otherwise you have other places outside the center, on the way to go to the Futuroscope (Chasseneuille district).

Is the nightlife good in Poitiers? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is not too bad in Poitiers, it depends of people you are with...usually when I hang out with friends, we start at the wallaby's Pub or the Est/Ouest Pub which is also very good, until the closing time (2 A. M) and then we continue to a club either la Grande Goule with commercial sounds, electro, pop, in the city center or Next and 55 which are outside the city center. Those two clubs are more into hip hop, RnB, dancehall sounds. You also have a club for more than 25 years (La tomate blanche), which is very good with different atmospheres. You can even eat, have diner there and then continue for party. It's like a restaurant/club.

Then you have a really good one with pretty much everything, depending on the room, which is Le salon. They do a lot of theme parties during the year; for example last year they had a contest between all the different faculties of Poitiers to elect miss and mister University. The only problem is that it's a bit far, either you need to have a car or go with friends who have cars. Or if they do big theme parties for students they will get a shuttle for students at special prices to bring them in and back.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Poitiers?

Just come to Poitiers and leave the big student life as you will do anywhere... Just have fun and enjoy your time.