Poitiers
or POICTIERS, a town of France, on the Clain, formerly capital of the province of Poitou, at present of the department of the Vienne. The town occupies a large space, the houses being often surrounded by gardens and orchards. The principal edifice is the cathedral, founded by Henry II. of England about 1162. Poitiers is one of the most ancient towns of France, and the vestiges of a Roman palace, of Roman baths, of an aqueduct, and an amphitheater still remain. Two famous batvicinity, that in which Charles Martel defeated the Sara- tles were fought in its vicinity, that in cen army in 732, and that between the French under their king John II., and the English under Edward the Black Prince in 1356. The manufactures are unimportant, but there is a large trade.
Pop. about 42,000.