City walls of Poitiers

The City walls of Poitiers are a stone fortification running alongside the Boivre and Clain rivers with defensive towers and gates around the urban perimeter. The surviving sections now form a continuous walking path that connects different parts of the city.

The walls were built mainly in the 14th century to protect against invasions and were later modified under Eleanor of Aquitaine and Duke John of Berry. These changes reflect how the city evolved its defenses under different rulers.

The gates reveal how entry to the city was controlled and organized for daily life - one gate handled tax collection while another stored emergency equipment. This division shows how residents managed security and practical needs in a fortified town.

The preserved sections offer easy walking access without major obstacles and form a pleasant route through the city. You can explore the walls without special preparation by walking from the Porte de la Tranchée toward the Tour à l'Oiseau and other towers.

At the meeting point of the Boivre and Clain rivers, three castle towers still stand and offer a rare view of medieval defensive architecture. Medieval moats are even preserved between the Savale factory and Porte Achard, making this section especially interesting for those studying fortifications.