Poitiers, France (Part Three).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

The Church of Notre-Dame La Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 3 October 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Gibert Bochenek, Gilbertus

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: The Church of Notre-Dame la Grande, Poitiers, France.

Français: Notre-Dame la Grande, France.

Photo: 25 June 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: TwoWings.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Poitiers Train Station was built in the 1850s, and connected Poitiers to the rest of France. Poitiers was bombed during World War II, particularly the area around the Railway Station, which was very badly hit on 13 June 1944.

From the Late-1950s until the Late-1960s, when Charles de Gaulle ended the American military presence, the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force had an array of military installations in France, including a major Army logistics and communications hub in Poitiers, part of what was called the Communication Zone (ComZ), and consisting of a Logistics Headquarters and Communications Agency, located at Aboville Caserne, a Military Compound situated on a hill above the City.

Hundreds of graduates of Poitiers American High School, a school operated by the Department of Defense School System (DODDS), have gone on to successful careers, including the recent Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Special Forces Command, Army General Bryan (Doug) Brown. The Caserne also housed a full support community, with a Theatre, Commissary, recreation facilities and an affiliate Radio Station of the American Forces Network, Europe, headquartered in Frankfurt (now Mannheim, Germany).

Interior of the Church of Notre-Dame la Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 21 July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: PMRMaeyaert.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The town benefited from industrial décentralisation in the 1970s, for instance with the installation during that decade of the Michelin and Compagnie des compteurs Schlumberger factories. The Futuroscope Theme-Park and Research Park project, built in 1986–1987, in nearby Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, after an idea by René Monory, consolidated Poitiers' place as a tourist destination and as a modern University centre, and opened the town to the era of information technology.

The City of Poitiers has a very old tradition as a University centre, starting in the Middle Ages. The University of Poitiers was established in 1431 as the second oldest University in France, and has welcomed many famous philosophers and scientists throughout the ages (notably François Rabelais; René Descartes; Francis Bacon).

Poitiers is twinned with: Northampton, United Kingdom; Marburg, Germany; Lafayette, Louisiana, United States; Coimbra, Portugal; Yaroslavl, Russia; Iaşi, Romania; Azrou, Morocco; Moundou, Chad; Eggelsberg, Austria.

Details of the Frieze on the Exterior

of the Church of Notre-Dame la Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 21 July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: PMRMaeyaert.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Church of Notre-Dame la Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 21 July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: PMRMaeyaert.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Detail on the Great West Door,

Church of Notre-Dame la Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Image: ROMANES.COM

Français: Église Sainte-Radegonde (Classé).

English: The Church of Saint Radegonde,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 26 July 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: Whn64.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Radegund (also spelled Rhadegund, Radegonde, Radigund) (circa 520 A.D. – 587 A.D.) was a 6th-Century Thuringian Princess and Frankish Queen, who founded the Monastery of the Holy Cross at Poitiers. She is the Patron Saint of several Churches in France and England and of Jesus College, Cambridge (whose full name is "The College of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and the glorious Virgin, Saint Radegund".

Church of Saint Radegund,

Grayingham, England.

Date: 22 July 2006 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia;

transferred to Commons by User:Oxyman using CommonsHelper.

Author: Original uploader was Asterion at en.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Radegonde Church,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 21 July 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Sumolari, B25es.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Deutsch: Poitiers: Kathedrale St. Pierre.

English: Poitiers Cathedral (Saint Peter's Cathedral),

Poitiers, France.

Photo: April 1989.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ziegler175.

(Wikimedia Commons)

THIS CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE ON POITIERS, FRANCE.

Poitiers, France (Part Two).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

The Church of Notre-Dame La Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 3 October 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Gibert Bochenek, Gilbertus

(Wikimedia Commons)

Français: Retable baroque de la chapelle des jésuites de Poitiers, au collège Henri IV.

Tableau de Louis Finson, statues de Gervais de la Barre.

English: Baroque Retable (Framed Altarpiece) in the Chapel of the Jesuits of Poitiers,

at the Henry IV College, Poitiers, France.

Photo: 2 October 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Danielclauzier.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In 1569, Poitiers was defended by Gui de Daillon, Comte du Lude, against Gaspard de Coligny, who, after an unsuccessful bombardment, and seven weeks, retired from a siege he had laid to the town.

The type of political organisation existing in Poitiers, during the Late-Medieval or Early-Modern period, can be glimpsed through a speech given on 14 July 1595, by Maurice Roatin, the town's Mayor. He compared it to the Roman State, which combined three types of government: Monarchy (rule by one person); Aristocracy (rule by a few); and Democracy (rule by the many).

He said the Roman Consulate corresponded to Poitiers' Mayor, the Roman Senate to the town's Peers and échevins, and the Democratic element in Rome corresponded to the fact that most important matters "can not be decided except by the advice of the Mois et Cent" (Broad Council).

The Mayor appears to have been an advocate of a mixed Constitution; not all Frenchmen in 1595 would have agreed with him, at least in public; many spoke in favour of Absolute Monarchy. The Democratic element was not as strong as the Mayor's words may seem to imply: In fact, Poitiers was similar to other French Cities, Paris, Nantes, Marseille, Limoges, La Rochelle, Dijon, in that the town's governing body (corps de ville) was "highly exclusive and oligarchical": A small number of professional and family groups controlled most of the City Offices. In Poitiers, many of these positions were granted for the lifetime of the Office Holder.

Français: Vue panoramique de la nef de la cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers.

English: The Nave, Poitiers Cathedral,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 9 April 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: TCJ.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The City Government, in Poitiers, based its claims to legitimacy on the theory of government, where the Mayor and échevins held jurisdiction of the City's affairs in fief from the King: That is, they swore allegiance and promised support for him, and, in return, he granted them Local Authority. This gave them the advantage of being able to claim that any townsperson, who challenged their authority, was being disloyal to the King.

Every year, the Mayor and the twenty-four échevins would swear an Oath of Allegiance "between the hands" of the King or his representative, usually the Lieutenant-Général or the sénéchaussée. For example, in 1567, when Maixent Poitevin was Mayor, King Henry III of France came for a visit, and, although some townspeople grumbled about the licentious behaviour of his entourage, Henry smoothed things over with a warm speech acknowledging their allegiance and thanking them for it.

In this era, the Mayor of Poitiers was preceded by Sergeants, wherever he went, consulted Deliberative Bodies, carried out their decisions, "heard Civil and Criminal Suits in first instance", tried to ensure that the food supply would be adequate, visited markets.

Français: Poitiers Cathédrale (Saint Pierre).

English: Saint Peter's Cathedral,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: July 2009.

Source: Own work.

Author: Ganeshub.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the 16th-Century, Poitiers impressed visitors because of its large size and important features, including "Royal Courts, University, prolific printing shops, wealthy Religious Institutions, Cathedral, numerous Parishes, markets, impressive domestic architecture, extensive fortifications, and Castle."

16th-Century Poitiers is closely associated with the life of François Rabelais and with the Community of Bitards.

In the 17th-Century, the town saw less activity during the Renaissance. Few changes were made in the urban landscape, except for laying way for the rue de la Tranchée. Bridges were built, where the inhabitants had used gués (fords). A few hôtels particuliers were built at that time, such as the hôtels Jean Baucé, Fumé and Berthelot. Poets Joachim du Bellay and Pierre Ronsard met at the University of Poitiers, before leaving for Paris.

During the 17th-Century, many people emigrated from Poitiers and the Poitou to the French settlements in the New World, and, thus, many Acadians or Cajuns, living in North America, today, can trace ancestry back to this region.

Français: Bourdon de la tour nord de la cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers.

English: The Bell-Tower, Poitiers Cathedral, Poitiers, France.

[Note: The Bourdon is the heaviest of the Bells that belong to a musical instrument,

especially a Chime or a Carillon, and produces its lowest tone.]

Photo: 28 January 2014.

Source: Own work.

Author: Danielclauzier.

(Wikimedia Commons)

During the 18th-Century, the town's activity mainly depended on its administrative functions as a Regional Centre. Poitiers served as the Seat for the Regional Administration of Royal Justice, the évêché, the Monasteries and the intendance of the Généralité du Poitou.

The Vicomte de Blossac, intendant of Poitou from 1750 to 1784, had a French garden landscaped in Poitiers. He also had Aliénor d'Aquitaine's ancient wall razed and modern boulevards were built in its place.

During the 19th-Century, many Army Bases were built in Poitiers, because of its central and strategic location. Poitiers became a Garrison Town, despite its distance from France's borders.

PART THREE FOLLOWS.

Poitiers, France (Part One).

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

The Church of Notre-Dame La Grande,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 3 October 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Gibert Bochenek, Gilbertus

(Wikimedia Commons)

Notre-Dame la Grande is a Roman Catholic Church in Poitiers, France. Having a double status, Collegial and Parochial, it forms part of the Catholic Diocese of Poitiers. The West Front, adorned with statuary, is recognised as a masterpiece of Romanesque Religious Art. The walls inside the Church are painted.

Français: Cette image représente les armoiries la ville de Poitiers, Vienne, France.

D'argent au lion de gueules, à la bordure de sable besantée d'or;

au chef d'azur chargé de trois fleurs de lis d'or.

English: Coat-of-Arms of Poitiers, France.

On Silver, a Red Lion. On the Black Border, Gold Discs.

On the Blue Chef (Head/Top), three Gold Fleurs-de-Lys.

Date: 15 March 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Odejea.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Poitiers is a City on the Clain River, in West-Central France. It is a Commune and the Capital of the Vienne Department and of the Poitou-Charentes Region. Poitiers is a major University centre. The centre of town is picturesque and its streets include historical architecture, especially religious architecture, and especially from the Romanesque period.

Two major battles took place near the City: In 732 A.D., the Battle of Poitiers (also known as the Battle of Tours), in which the Franks, commanded by Charles Martel, halted the expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate, and, in 1356, the Battle of Poitiers, a key victory for the English during the Hundred Years' War. This battle's consequences partly provoked The Jacquerie.

Inhabitants of Poitiers are referred as Pictaviens (male) and Pictaviennes (female), from Pictavis, which was the ancient name for the town. It is not uncommon for inhabitants of Poitiers to call themselves Poitevins or Poitevines, although this denomination can be used for anyone from the Poitou Province.

Poitiers was founded by the Celtic tribe, the Pictones, and was known as the oppidum Lemonum, before Roman influence. The name is said to have come from the Celtic word for elm, Lemo. After Roman influence took over, the town became known as Pictavium, or, later, Pictavis, after the original Pictones inhabitants.

Historic centre of Poitiers

with Church of Saint-Radegund, Cathedral of Saint-Pierre

and Palace of Justice in the background.

Picture by Mario Vercellotti (www.vermario.com).

Date: 2005-11-01 (original upload date).

Source: Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here.

Author: Original uploader was Vermario at en.wikipedia

Permission: Released into the public domain (by the Author).

(Wikimedia Commons)

There is a rich history of archeological finds from the Roman era in Poitiers. In fact, until 1857, Poitiers hosted the ruins of a vast Roman amphitheatre, which was larger than that of Nîmes. Remains of Roman Baths, built in the 1st-Century and demolished in the 3rd-Century, were uncovered in 1877.

In 1879, a burial-place and tombs of a number of Christian Martyrs were discovered on the Heights to the South-East of the town. The names of some of the Christians had been preserved in paintings and inscriptions. Not far from these tombs is a huge dolmen (tomb) (the Pierre Levée), and around which used to be held the Great Fair of Saint Luke.

The Romans also built at least three aqueducts. This extensive ensemble of Roman constructions suggests Poitiers was a town of first importance, possibly even the Capital of the Roman Province of Gallia Aquitania during the 2nd-Century.

Français: Poitiers Cathédrale (Saint Pierre).

Façade (ouest) de la cathédrale.

English: The Great West Door of Saint Peter's Cathedral,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 13 October 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: user:Rigolithe.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Poitiers Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers) is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Poitiers, France. It is the Seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers.

Its construction began in 1162, by King Henry II of England and his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, on the ruins of a Roman Basilica, and work was well advanced by the end of the 12th-Century. It is the largest Mediaeval monument in the City of Poitiers.

It is built in the Romanesque, and Early Gothic, Styles, the latter predominating. It consists of three Naves, almost equal in height and width, all three of which decrease towards the West, thus enhancing the perspective. Its length is 308 ft., and the keystone of the central Vaulted Roof is 89 ft. above the pavement. There is no Apse, and the exterior, generally, has a heavy appearance. The principal Front, which is broad, relative to its height, has unfinished Side-Towers, 105 ft. and 110 ft. tall, begun in the 13th-Century.

The Organ of Poitiers Cathédrale (Saint-Pierre de Poitiers),

built by François-Henri Clicquot and Claude-François Clicquot.

Photo: 12 May 2010.

Source: Poitiers_-_Cathédrale_Saint-Pierre_-_Orgues.jpg

Author: Poitiers_-_Cathédrale_Saint-Pierre_-_Orgues.jpg: Christophe.Finot

User: Derivative work: UHT.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Most of the windows of the Choir, and the Transepts, preserve their Stained-Glass of the 12th- and 13th-Centuries; the end window, which is certainly the first in the order of time, contains the figures of King Henry II and Queen Eleanor. The Choir Stalls, carved between 1235 and 1257, are among the oldest in France.

On the night of 25 December 1681 the Organ was destroyed by fire. It was not until 1770-1778 that a campaign was launched to build a replacement. François-Henri Clicquot, at that time the leading Organ-builder in France, was appointed to undertake the work, but died in 1790, before completing the work. His son, Claude-François Clicquot, finished the job, handing it over for presentation in March 1791. The instrument is a beautiful example of 18th-Century Organ design, and is still largely intact.

The West Front of Saint Peter's Cathedral,

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 2 August 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Enzo627.

(Wikimedia Commons)

As Christianity was made official, and gradually introduced across the Roman Empire during the 3rd- and 4th-Centuries, the first Bishop of Poitiers, from 350 A.D., to 367 A.D., Hilary of Poitiers or Saint Hilarius, proceeded to evangelise the town.

Exiled by an ignorant Emperor, he risked death to return to Poitiers as Bishop, after discovering that the Christian "Eastern" Church were not Heretics, as believed in Rome, but had, rather, reached many of the same conclusions about the Holy Trinity as had the Western Church. The first foundations of the Baptistère Saint-Jean can be traced to that era of open Christian evangelisation. Saint Hilary of Poitiers was named "Doctor of The Church" by Pope Pius IX.

In the 4th-Century A.D., a thick wall, 6 m (18 ft) wide and 10 m (30 ft) high was built around the town. It was 2.5 km (2 miles) long. Around this time, the town began to be known as Poitiers.

The Great West Door,

Poitiers Cathedral,

(Saint Peter of Poitiers)

(Saint-Pierre de Poitiers),

Poitiers, France.

Photo: 2002.

Source: Own work.

Author: JC Allin.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Fifty years later, Poitiers fell into the hands of the Arian Visigoths, and became one of the principal residences of their Kings. Visigoth King Alaric II was defeated by Clovis I at Vouillé, not far from Poitiers, in 507 A.D., and the town thus came under Frankish dominion.

During most of the Early Middle Ages, the town of Poitiers took advantage of its defensive tactical site and of its location, which was far from the centre of Frankish power. As the Seat for an évêché (Bishop) since the 4th-Century, the town was a centre of some importance and the Capital of the Poitou County. At the height of their power, the Counts of Poitiers governed a large domain, including both Aquitaine and Poitou.

Français: Église St-Hilaire-le-Grand Poitiers, France.

English: Church of Saint Hilary the Great, Poitiers, France.

This File: 12 April 2008.

User: MainMa.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The first decisive victory of a Christian army over a Muslim power, the Battle of Tours, was fought by Charles Martel's army, in the vicinity of Poitiers, on 10 October 732 A.D. For many historians, it was one of the world's pivotal moments.

Eleanor of Aquitaine frequently resided in the town, which she embellished and fortified, and, in 1199, entrusted with communal rights.

During the Hundred Years' War, the Battle of Poitiers, an English victory, was fought near the town of Poitiers on 19 September 1356. Later in the war, in 1418, under duress, the Royal Parliament moved from Paris to Poitiers, where it remained in exile until the Plantagenets finally withdrew from the Capital in 1436. During this interval, in 1429, Poitiers was the site of Joan of Arc's formal inquest.

The University of Poitiers was founded in 1431. During and after the Reformation, John Calvin had numerous converts in Poitiers and the town had its share of the violent proceedings which underlined the Wars of Religion throughout France.

PART TWO FOLLOWS.