Poitiers, France

Capital City

With a population of just 89,916, Poitiers is a sleepy university town that struggles to offer the amenities and excitement of bigger French cities. The historic architecture and quaint streets are charming, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the mild yet damp climate can be dreary. While Poitiers has a storied past as the site of major medieval battles, today it is primarily known as the home of the Futuroscope theme park, which draws two million visitors annually. This quiet corner of central France is best suited for those seeking a relaxed pace of life and easy access to nature, rather than an urban thrill-seeker.