Poitiiers, France
This used souvenir postcard is another one sent by a friend. It is a souvenir card showing a modern view of the city of Poitiers. The second card is a Vintage card featuring a view from the early 1900s. The first postcard, above, is an Imprimé Reproduction Interdite printed and distributed in France. At the upper left corner on the reverse is Poitiers, Vienne.
Unlike some other souvenir cards this one does not have a blurb on the reverse identifying the scenes on the front side of the card. By comparing the pictures on the card with images online I was able to identify a couple of them and recognize that some were the same buildings but from a different view. For instance, the middle photo on the top and the photo at the left on the middle line appear to be the Hotel de Ville, Poitiers. It is the City Hall and the first municipal building in aPoitiers. It was designated as an historic monument in 1975. The second photo on the middle line is the Palace of Poitiers. It was the palace of the Counts of Poitiers and then the Dukes of Aquitaine in Poitiers. It is an example of medieval Plantagenet style architecture. The photo at the bottom left appears to be of a city park.
Poitiers, France, ca early 1900s
This second card is titled Vue Générale de POITIERS [General view of Poitiers]-158 at the bottom center. The title is repeated at the upper left on the reverse. Also, on the front of the card at the bottom left is: Rona , éditeur á Poitiers. On the reverse center line is: M.G. Editions.
The number 69 194 084 appears at the lower left corner on the reverse. It is likely that the photograph dates from the early 1900s but the card itself is a reproduction of the earlier card. Comparing this older photo with a more recent picture it appears that at mid-left is the Church of Sainte-Radegonde with the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and the Palace of Poitiers in the background. Sainte Radegonde [c. 520 – 587] was a Frankish queen and nun who is buried in the church. The church became a pilgrimage site by those devoted to her heavenly intercession. Also, note the partial stamp at the upper left on the font of the card that lends further credence to the card being a reproduction of an earlier card.
Some interesting trivia facts: Poitiers has been a major university town since the university was founded in 1431. There are many half-timbered houses that have been preserved. It is also strategically located and is an important crossroads in France and Western Europe. There have been many archeological finds from the Roman era. Also, a number of tombs of Christian martyrs were discovered on the heights to the south-east of the town. A thick 6 meter wide and 10 meter high wall was built around the town in the 3rd century. Eleanor of Aquitaine frequently lived in the down which she had embellished and fortified. In 1152 she married the future King of England, Henry II, in Poitiers Cathedral.
Once again, thank you to M. for sharing the cards.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poitiers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville,_Poitiers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Poitiers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poitiers_Cathedral
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Sainte_Radegonde_(Poitiers)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radegund
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