Poitiers city centre and hills

Departure from the Belvédère des Dunes, Boulevard du Colonel Barthal, opposite the military barracks. Parking is available along the street.

(S/E) Go down the Dunes stairs (200 steps) and, at the bottom, cross the bridge over the Clain.

(1) Take the Grand Rue opposite for 50 metres, turn left onto Rue du Pigeon Blanc and continue to the Sainte-Radegonde Church. Turn right onto Rue Arthur de la Mauvinière, then left onto Rue Sainte-Croix. At the end, turn right onto Rue Jean Jaurès and you will soon arrive at the Saint-Jean Baptistery on your left.

(2) From the baptistery, walk up Rue Jean Jaurès for 50 metres. Go up the stairs on the right near the planetarium, then continue straight ahead to Saint-Pierre Cathedral. Turn left onto Rue de la Cathédrale and follow it to the end. Turn right onto Rue du Marché Notre-Dame and you will arrive at Notre-Dame la Grande Church.

(3) Cross Place Charles de Gaulle, pass the Tourist Office, then take Rue de l'Université on the left, and quickly turn right onto Rue de la Tête Noire. Continue along Rue des Flageolles, then walk along Place de la Liberté on your right and arrive at Rue René Descartes, opposite the University of Poitiers. Note the Hôtel Fumé on your left, at 8 Rue René Descartes.

Red and white GR® markings

(4) Turn right, go down Rue de la Chaîne, then continue straight on Rue Jean Bouchet and join Place Montierneuf. Continue opposite, Rue du Mouton, and cross Boulevard Chasseigne, then Pont de Rochereuil, over the Clain.

(5) Immediately after the bridge, turn left onto Rue de Rochereuil and follow it to the end. At the large crossroads, take Avenue de l'Europe on the right, then walk uphill for about 200 metres.

(6) Turn right onto Chemin des Crêtes and follow the lane between the walls, then continue left behind the gardens. Cross the park.

(7) At the exit, turn slightly right onto Boulevard des Hauteurs and continue straight behind the school onto Chemin des Grandes Dunes. At the end, turn right (Avenue Georges Pompidou), then immediately left onto Rue Jules Verne.

No markings

(8) Leave the GR® and turn right onto Rue de la Cueille-Aiguë (steep slope). At the bottom, turn right, go under the road bridge, then left onto Rue de la Croix Rouge. Continue for 350 m to the Escaliers des Dunes and climb them on the left to return to the Belvédère des Dunes (S/E).

Parking: Free at the Belvédère des Dunes car park on Boulevard du Colonel Barthal. No charging stations for electric vehicles.

Public toilets: you can consult the official website of the town (https://www.poitiers.fr/toilettes-publiques), but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.

Stairs: the route includes 200 steps to descend at the start and climb back up at the end (Escaliers des Dunes). They are easy to navigate, with regular steps and handrails.
Alternative: to avoid the Escaliers des Dunes, you can park in the Clain Bajon car park near the (1). However, the route still includes around 20 steps and steep slopes (15%).

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility and pushchairs: The route is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Pushchairs can be used, but some sections may be difficult. However, the viewpoints at (S/E), Boulevard du Colonel Barthal, and the park between (6) and (7) remain accessible to enjoy the panorama.

Churches:
Between (1) and (2), Sainte-Radegonde Church.
Between (2) and (3), Saint-Pierre Cathedral.
(3) Notre-Dame la Grande Church.

(2) Saint-Jean Baptistery: one of the oldest Christian monuments in Europe. Admission fee (approximately €3), check opening hours.

(4) Hôtel Fumé: a mansion in the flamboyant Gothic style.

(S/E) and between (6) and (7), panoramic views of the city.