Poitou

Poitou is a historic province in western France, named for the city of Poitiers, which served as its capital in the Middle Ages. It lay along the Atlantic coast and extended inland to include the Vienne and Charente river valleys, with landscapes ranging from the marshes of the Marais Poitevin to farmland and river plains. Major urban centers include Poitiers, La Rochelle, Niort, Angoulême, and Cognac. The region includes important Atlantic ports and inland commercial towns, making it historically significant for trade and military routes.

Historically, Poitou was a distinct duchy and marcher region in the Middle Ages. It formed part of the broader Aquitaine area and at times figured prominently in the conflicts between the French crown and English holdings. The duchy contributed notable figures to medieval European politics, including Eleanor of Aquitaine. Poitou remained a disputed frontier zone through the late Middle Ages before gradually being integrated into the French kingdom.

During the French Revolution, the province was dissolved as a political entity and divided into the departments of Vienne, Charente, Charente-Inférieure (now Charente-Maritime), and Deux-Sèvres. Today Poitou survives as a historical and cultural reference within the larger Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Culture and language in the Poitou area include the Poitevin (Poitevin-Saintongeais) dialects, part of the langue d’oïl continuum, spoken in rural areas. The region is known for its maritime heritage, wine and cognac production in Charente, and tourist attractions such as La Rochelle’s historic harbor, Île de Ré, and the Poitiers-Futuroscope complex. The Marais Poitevin remains a notable ecological and tourism site.