Niort, Administrative center in Deux-Sèvres, France
Niort lies in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of western France and forms the administrative center of the Deux-Sèvres department. The city spreads across two hills along the Sèvre Niortaise river, with medieval towers shaping the skyline and stone buildings lining the streets.
Henry II of England and his son Richard I ordered the construction of a fortified castle with two square towers during the 12th and 13th centuries to control the region. The fortress formed a strategic stronghold for centuries and continues to shape the cityscape today.
The covered market hall built in 1871 serves today as a meeting point for vendors and visitors buying fresh produce from the surrounding countryside. Since 1987 the structure has been protected as a monument and displays the typical architecture of 19th-century French market buildings.
The city offers free public transportation throughout the urban area, making it the largest French city with this system for residents. Visitors can explore the historic center on foot since the main landmarks are located close to each other.
The city ranks as France's fourth largest financial center after Paris, Lyon, and Lille because major insurance companies like MAAF and MAIF are headquartered here. This economic structure shapes urban life and explains the modern office districts beside the medieval buildings.
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