Parc de Blossac, Poitiers
Park in Poitiers
Parc de Blossac is one of the best places to visit in Poitiers when you want a break from churches and cobbled streets without leaving the historic core behind. Laid out as an elegant formal garden above the Clain valley, it combines long tree-lined avenues, clipped hedges, and fountains with sweeping viewpoints over the river and modern city. Locals come here to run, read, and meet friends, while visitors quickly realise it is the green lung that ties together old and new Poitiers.
As you wander through Blossac, you move between different moods: formal parterres, shady woodland paths, a small animal area, children's playgrounds, and open lawns where people picnic on sunny days. It is a highlight of any walking tour of Poitiers, especially if you thread your route from the cathedral or old town squares up through the residential streets and finish with a quiet loop around the terraces and flowerbeds.
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History and Significance of Parc de Blossac
Parc de Blossac occupies a historic terrace above the Clain river, on land long associated with the city's elite. In the 18th century it was redesigned as a grand formal park, reflecting the taste for geometric avenues, ornamental parterres, and carefully framed views that characterised French garden design of the time. The layout was meant to impress, with broad walks that allowed promenading residents to be seen as much as they saw the landscape around them.
Over the years, the park evolved as Poitiers expanded, but its core identity as a public garden remained. What began as a space shaped by aristocratic tastes gradually became a municipal park, open to all and adapted to the changing needs of city dwellers. New features, including children's areas, a small menagerie, and sports spaces, were added while the historic terraces and formal alignments were preserved.
Today, Parc de Blossac forms an important part of Poitiers' protected heritage, valued both for its design and its role in everyday life. It provides a setting where you can read the city's social history in the layout of paths and viewpoints: from a world of ordered promenades to a democratic green space where joggers, families, students, and visitors all share the same lawns and alleys.
Things to See and Do in Parc de Blossac
Start your visit along the main avenues, where double rows of trees frame long perspectives towards statues, fountains, or the edges of the park. These formal lines are a reminder of Blossac’s 18th-century origins and are particularly beautiful in spring and autumn, when new leaves appear or the foliage turns golden. Take time to notice the parterres and flowerbeds, which are often replanted seasonally and add bright colour against the more permanent greenery.
Make your way to the viewpoints along the terrace edge, where the ground falls away towards the Clain valley. From here you can look out over the river, bridges, and parts of the modern city spread below, a striking contrast to the historic façades just behind you. On a clear day, these viewpoints are perfect for photos or simply for standing quietly and watching the light shift across the valley.
If you are visiting with children, the small animal area and play spaces make Parc de Blossac particularly appealing. Younger visitors can enjoy seeing animals and running around safely while adults relax on nearby benches. Elsewhere in the park, you will find quieter lawns where people picnic, read, or simply lie back in the sun. The blend of formal and informal areas means you can choose exactly the kind of atmosphere you want, whether that is lively or peaceful.
How to Get to Parc de Blossac
Parc de Blossac sits just south of the historic centre of Poitiers, making it easy to reach once you are in the city. If you are arriving from further afield, Poitiers Biard Airport is the nearest, with larger international airports in Paris also serving the region for long-haul travellers. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Poitiers on Booking.com. From these airports you can continue your journey by train, long-distance bus, or rental car towards Poitiers.
Poitiers is well connected by rail, with regular services from Paris, Bordeaux, and other French cities bringing you to Gare de Poitiers.You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place. From the station, Parc de Blossac is about a 20-25 minute walk, or you can take local buses that head towards the southern part of the city and then follow signs or a map to the park. Taxis are also readily available for a quicker transfer if you prefer not to walk.
If you are travelling by car, Poitiers is served by major routes such as the A10 and nearby national roads.If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Once in the city, you will find several parking options within walking distance of Parc de Blossac, either near the park itself or closer to the centre if you plan to combine your visit with sightseeing in the old town. From most central areas it is an easy stroll to the park's entrances.
Practical Tips on Visiting Parc de Blossac
- Suggested tips: Bring a book, picnic, or sketchbook and use the park as a restful break between church visits and museum stops in Poitiers.
- Best time to visit: Spring and summer highlight the formal gardens and flowers, while early autumn offers beautiful foliage and softer light over the valley.
- Entrance fee: Free entry to the park.
- Opening hours: Typically open daily with variable opening and closing times depending on the season; check local information for exact hours., which places you within walking distance of the old town squares and a pleasant stroll from the park. For a stay with distinctive character, Mercure Poitiers Centre occupies a converted chapel close to the city centre, allowing you to explore the main sights on foot and then wander down to Blossac when you need some greenery. If you prefer a modern, good-value base, ibis Styles Poitiers Centre offers straightforward comfort a short walk from both the historic core and the routes leading towards Parc de Blossac.
Is Parc de Blossac Worth Visiting
Parc de Blossac is definitely worth visiting if you want to experience Poitiers beyond its churches and museums. It offers a generous, beautifully laid out green space where you can slow down, breathe, and see the city from a different angle, both literally and figuratively. Whether you are travelling with children, looking for a place to run or read, or simply in need of a peaceful pause between sightseeing stops, the park adds balance and depth to your time in Poitiers and quickly becomes a favourite spot for many visitors.
What Other Travellers Say...
Blossac Park at 1 BIS Rue Léopold-Thézard in Poitiers is an 18th-century green space with fountains, topiary, tree-lined walks and a small zoo; visitors note it's a pleasant, centrally located park ideal for a stroll, and it sometimes hosts a funfair—open daily from 7:15 AM to 10:30 PM.
8 months ago"Nice park and enjoyable stroll for both adults and kids alike. The fountain is pretty - that is when it works... The English Garden has a variety ofstatues, Trees, flowers, pond and bird's life as well as fishes. Overall, Short walks, panoramic views and kids plays. Free parking close by is difficult. Best options are street paid or Paid Blossac underground parking...."See Morea year ago"Beautiful 😍 place. So green with fountain, sculpture, flowers, and even animals. Brilliant place for children with children areas to play. Smallcoffee shop serving also beer . Lack of toilets, unfortunately. There is only one toilet next to the coffee shop but mostly closed...."See More5 years ago"Excellent place for a weekend family outing, a perfect place to enjoy the city's calmness and to play, camp with your loved ones. It offers a greatview of the Poitiers city clain and also have a mini aquarium and birds collection for kids to enjoy. One can say a best place to hang out with a perfect snacks carried and best people around only to have quality time and to feel the city's peaceful culture...."See MoreFAQs for Visiting Parc de Blossac
Parc de Blossac lies just to the south of the old town, within walking distance of the main squares and streets, making it easy to include in a day of exploring central Poitiers.Yes, families often use the park for playtime, picnics, and relaxed walks, and children usually enjoy the open lawns, paths, and dedicated play or animal areas.Most visitors are satisfied with 1 to 2 hours, but you can easily stay longer if you bring a picnic, explore all the paths, or use the park as a base for a slow afternoon.Rules can vary, but dogs are often permitted on leads in many areas; it is best to check local signage at the entrance for any specific restrictions or designated dog zones.Yes, the park remains open into the evening depending on the season, and it can be particularly pleasant at sunset, though you should always observe posted opening hours and general safety considerations.Many of the main paths are flat or gently sloped and suitable for wheelchairs or mobility aids, but some areas have gravel surfaces or steeper sections, so planning your route within the park can help ensure a comfortable visit.Nearby Attractions to Parc de Blossac
- Poitiers Cathedral Saint Pierre: A majestic Gothic cathedral with impressive stained glass and a calm interior, located a pleasant walk from the park.
- Musee Sainte Croix: The city’s main museum, combining archaeology from prehistory to Roman times with fine arts and notable sculpture collections.
- Notre Dame la Grande: A celebrated Romanesque church with an intricately carved façade and atmospheric interior, set on a lively square in the old town.
- Place de la Liberte: A historic square marked by a Statue of Liberty replica and a powerful past as a former market and execution site, now a symbol of freedom.
- Abbaye de Saint Benoit Monks Dormitory and Chapter Room: A nearby monastic site in Saint Benoit where medieval spaces host exhibitions and concerts in a tranquil riverside setting.
The Parc de Blossac appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Poitiers!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
Typically open daily with variable opening and closing times depending on the season; check local information for exact hours.
Free entry to the park.
Nearby Attractions
- City Walls of Poitiers (0.0) km
City Walls - Amphithéâtre de Poitiers (0.7) km
Amphitheatre and Roman Site - Poitiers Prefecture (0.7) km
Historic Building - Place du Maréchal Leclerc (0.8) km
Square - Palace of the Counts of Poitou (1.2) km
Palace - Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande (1.3) km
Church - Musée Sainte-Croix (1.3) km
Museum - Baptistère Saint-Jean (1.3) km
Baptistery - Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers (1.4) km
Cathedral - Place de la Liberté (1.4) km
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