Here various exercises of power have followed one another, perhaps from antiquity, more surely from the High Middle Ages onwards.
Indeed, the name Maubergeon (which still qualifies the medieval keep) is derived from the "mall-berg", the former Merovingian court.
Shortly after the year 1000, a new palace was built on a mound of earth, leaning against the ancient rampart and completed around 1100 by a first tower (the remains of which can be seen in the Jeanne d'Arc square). The complex, surrounded by ditches, was the residence of the counts of Poitou-ducs d'Aquitaine.
The great ceremonial hall was rebuilt by the Plantagenêt family a little before 1200; known as the "Salle des Pas Perdus", with its vast dimensions and its decoration in the Angevin style (blind arches, capitals), it is the official hall of the Palace and remains today one of the most remarkable examples of medieval civil architecture in France.
From the 13th century onwards, the palace became less and less residential, to the benefit of its administrative functions. It underwent new developments around 1380, at the instigation of Jean de Berry: the Maubergeon tower was rebuilt, private apartments (which have now disappeared) were built to the east, a new gable wall enclosed the great hall, pierced by wide windows above monumental sculpted fireplaces. The ensemble heralded the flamboyant Gothic style.
After the French Revolution, the former count's palace was definitively converted into a courthouse until 2019.
Since January 1, 2020, the City of Poitiers is the owner of the Palais. This is a great opportunity to imagine a new city center around the Palace, through new uses and new traffic habits.
In order for the inhabitants and tourists to appropriate this place, many animations are proposed.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE PALACE
subject to change
Sunday, May 1, at 11:30 am: La Cavale au Palais / Public warm-up session with choreographer and dancer Julie Coutant, and musician Brian McCoy
Sunday, May 1, at 6:30 pm: La Cavale au Palais / Participatory reading with Anthony Thibault + "Au-delà vu d'ici", La Cavale (dance)
Saturday, May 7, at 11:00 AM: PIL: PoCo Impro Labo, as part of the PoCofestival (music)
Tuesday, May 10, at 8:00 PM: Concert of the ensemble Les Surprises "A Night in Venice" (baroque music)
Saturday, May 14 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm: Europe Village at the Palais as part of the Europe month.
Tuesday, May 17 through Thursday, May 19: "40 years with you" - The Roof of the World at the Palais
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June: Kings and Queens at the Palace / Chess tournament, by the Echiquier Poitevin
OPENING HOURS AND PERIOD
The Salle des pas perdus of the Palais is accessible every day from 8 am to 10 pm, free entrance.
Reception and reservation of guided tours every day: from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
The Maubergeon Tower and the exhibition "The bear, the swan and the crocodile, animals in the Prince's entourage at the Palace are accessible free of charge every day from 11am to 6pm and on Saturday from 11am to 8pm.
Exceptional closing on Thursday, July 14 from 8am to 5pm.
Opening hours on that day: from 5pm to 10pm.
More information and reservations :
Tel : 06 75 32 16 64
palais@poitiers.fr
handicap accessibility
- Wheelchairs are available on request to visit the Palace (see at the Palace reception)
- Production of a video clip presenting the Maubergeon Tower shown in the exhibition room "Les belles heures du Palais". This video allows to contextualize the construction of the tower, and to get acquainted with this space, which is not accessible to the PRM
- The Palace is equipped with magnetic loops