Day Trips & Excursions: Poitiers

Nearby Destinations

Poitiers is a gateway to diverse regional attractions, from theme parks to historic cities and natural wonders. Each location offers a distinct experience easily reached from the city center.

For booking day trips and local experiences, GetYourGuide offers a wide selection.

Popular Excursions

Parc du Futuroscope: A unique theme park focused on multimedia, just 10 km north of Poitiers.
Marais Poitevin (Green Venice): A tranquil network of canals, a 1-hour drive west.
La Rochelle: A vibrant maritime city, 1 hour 30 minutes by train or car.
Cognac: Birthplace of the famous brandy, about 1 hour by car or train.

Explore the Region

Beyond the main attractions, the Poitiers region hides natural beauty and cultural richness.

Natural Escapes

Discover the serene natural beauty surrounding Poitiers on these excursions.

Highlights

Marais Poitevin: "Green Venice" offers tranquil boat rides and cycling.
Vienne River Valley: Scenic drives, walking paths, and charming riverside villages.
Forests: Woodlands like Forêt de Moulière are for walks and picnics.

Cultural Excursions

Deepen your understanding of regional culture and history with these trips.

Cultural Insights

Medieval Towns: Explore Chauvigny with its fortresses and Civray's architecture.
Rural Villages: Drive through the countryside for local markets and authentic life.
Pilgrimage Sites: Local churches with historical significance to pilgrimage routes.

Multi-Day Extensions

Recommendations for Adding Days

Loire Valley: Spend 2-3 additional days exploring famous châteaux like Chenonceau.
Bordeaux and Wine Region: Journey south to the renowned wine capital.
Atlantic Coast: Combine your visit with days on the coast, including La Rochelle and Île de Ré.
Transportation Connections: France's TGV high-speed rail network connects Poitiers to these cities.

Suggested Routes for Longer Regional Travel

History & Wine Route: Poitiers (history) to Loire Valley (châteaux, wine) to Bordeaux (wine, city).
Coast & Countryside: Poitiers (city, history) to Marais Poitevin (nature) to La Rochelle & Île de Ré (coast).
A rental car offers flexibility for exploring rural areas, châteaux, or vineyards.
Consider booking your car rental for just a day or two to conserve costs.

Helpful Tip

For day trips requiring a car, consider booking your rental for just a day or two to conserve costs, rather than for your entire trip if you are staying mainly in Poitiers city center.

Natural & Cultural Experiences

Poitiers and its surroundings offer a spectrum of experiences, from poignant history to immersive nature.

Nature Immersion

Glide through the tranquil canals of Marais Poitevin, or discover serene walking paths along the Vienne River. Explore nearby forests for a peaceful escape.

Historical Exploration

Visit medieval towns like Chauvigny with its fortresses, or embark on a solemn trip to Oradour-sur-Glane, a powerful memorial village.

Local Flavors

Journey to Cognac to visit world-renowned distilleries and enjoy tastings, an unique regional experience.

Marais Poitevin Details

A vast, tranquil network of canals, waterways, and marshlands. Nicknamed "Green Venice" for its verdant landscape and traditional flat-bottomed boats. A Regional Natural Park with an unique ecosystem.

Visitor Information

Location: West of Poitiers, approximately a 1-hour drive.
Transportation: Best accessed by car for flexibility.
Time Required: A half to full day for boat rentals and village exploration.

Oradour-sur-Glane

A powerful and poignant memorial village, preserved exactly as it was after the massacre by Nazi SS troops in 1944. The untouched ruins serve as a stark reminder of war's atrocities.

Visit Insights

Location: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Poitiers.
Transportation: Primarily by car, public transport is limited.
Time Required: A half-day for the village walk and museum.

Loire Valley Castles Access

Description:Southern gateway for exploring magnificent châteaux like Chinon, Saumur, and Loches.

Location:1 to 1.5 hours drive north of Poitiers.

Transportation:Best accessed by car to visit multiple castles. Train options for individual towns.

Time Required:A full day for one or two castles, multiple days for more.

La Rochelle Access:Direct train services from Poitiers make this an easy day trip.

Cognac Access:Train or car. Direct trains are less frequent, often via Angoulême.

Additional Day Trips

Parc du Futuroscope: Just 10 km north of Poitiers. Easy access by Vitalis bus or car. A full day is recommended.
La Rochelle: Approx. 1.5 hours by train or car. Explore the Vieux Port and towers. A full day is ideal.
Cognac: Approx. 1 hour by car or train. Visit historic distilleries for tours and tastings. Half to full day.
Loire Valley Castles: 1-1.5 hours drive north. Chinon, Saumur, Loches are within reach. Full day or more.
Oradour-sur-Glane: Approx. 1.5 hours by car. A solemn and impactful historical site. Half day.

Multi-Day Experiences

Poitiers' central location makes it suitable for combining your visit with longer regional explorations.

Loire Valley Extension

After exploring Poitiers, head north and spend an additional 2-3 days. Base yourself in a town like Tours, Amboise, or Blois.

What to See

Explore the most famous châteaux, including Chenonceau.
Visit Chambord, known for its grand architecture.
Discover the gardens of Villandry.

Bordeaux & Wine Region

Extend your journey south to Bordeaux, the renowned wine capital. A fantastic choice for gastronomy and world-class wine.

Experiences

Engage in vineyard tours and wine tastings.
Explore the historic city of Bordeaux itself.
Savor local culinary delights paired with regional wines.

Atlantic Coast & Île de Ré

Combine your visit with a few days on the Atlantic coast. La Rochelle is a fantastic option, and from there, Île de Ré is easily visited.

Coastal Exploration

Explore La Rochelle's historic port and towers.
Visit the beautiful Île de Ré, known for charming villages.
Discover its lighthouse and cycling paths.

Logical Next Destinations

France's TGV high-speed rail network connects Poitiers efficiently to these major cities, making multi-day extensions seamless.

Transition Destinations

Loire Valley: A natural progression north for history and wine.
Bordeaux: For those interested in gastronomy and world-class wine.
Paris: Easily accessible by high-speed train, offering a transition to metropolitan France.

Suggested Regional Routes

For exploring rural areas or specific châteaux/vineyards, a rental car provides the most flexibility.

History & Wine Route

Poitiers (history) to Loire Valley (châteaux, wine) to Bordeaux (wine, city).

Coast & Countryside

Poitiers (city, history) to Marais Poitevin (nature) to La Rochelle & Île de Ré (coast).

Flexibility with Car

A rental car is useful for exploring rural areas or specific châteaux/vineyards.

Travel Insight