September 9, 2022. We caught up on our sleep, but still were up in time to walk to meet out bike tour guide, Eric, at 9 am, who was waiting for us along the promenade alongside the Clain river. Our bikes were just right and we headed off to get to know the city. First we climbed to an overlook of the city and learned how its geography made it the center of so much of French history, and is probably more appreciated by the French than by outsiders. This perfect location on the crossroads of history made it the center of many famous battles — the Romans, the Visigoths and many others asserted their power over their region here.
The city is situated on a high rocky hill surrounded by two rivers giving it a perfect defensive position. It was first settled by the Celts who gave it its modern name. Then the Romans, but there are only small evidences of the Roman period, a tiny portion of an ancient amphitheater that could seat 30,000 people. The outline of the amphitheater is testified to by the curving streets that outline its boundary.
We learned about Eleanor of Aquitaine, the most powerful woman of the medieval period, who became the queen of France and then the Queen of England. She build the cathedral here and a very large meeting room. She supported the arts by encouraging troubadours to visit the area. the 900th anniversary of her birth is being celebrated in Poitiers these days.
After all of this biking and learning the local history we were hungry, and the Restaurant Les Archives proved to be the prefect antidote, with a beautiful but not overly large lunch of three courses including wine. I muddled through ordering in French, but fortunately our waiter knew English very well.
After lunch we rested, went to the post office, ATM and bought groceries at our favorite store, Carrefour. It was a lovely day, and a great way to relax before we start our vigorous walking schedule. Tomorrow, though, we meet our friend AmadIne.
