Once a royal residence of the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou is a small town north of Poitiers. It’s renowned for the innovative Parc du Futuroscope and home to the Technopole du Futuroscope, a cluster of high-tech manufacturing and information-based businesses.
Things to do in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou
Chasseneuil-du-Poitou’s most famous attraction is the Parc du Futuroscope, which boasts 3D and 4D cinemas, video gaming experiences and amusement arcades. It features inspiring metal and steel pavilions designed by architect Denis Laming, as well as a planetarium dome theatre. See the “Danse Avec Les Robots” robocoaster and walk through the “Journey into the Dark”, then soak up the views across the park from “La Gyrotour".
A short walk from Chasseneuil-du-Poitou’s railway station is Parc du Clos de la Ribaudiere, where you’ll find leafy walking trails, landscaped flower beds and a children’s playground. Located adjacent to the Château le Clos de la Ribaudière, which is dotted with benches where you can relax. Across the Clain River is L'île Verte, a lush island that can be accessed via a pedestrian bridge.
In the heart of Chasseneuil-du-Poitou is L’Eglise de St-Clement, a 12th-century church with elegant stained-glass windows. You can learn about the local art and cultural traditions at the Maison d'Autrefois Museum where 19th-century clothing, religious ornaments and vintage toys are exhibited. Wander through the recreated 1940s classroom and step inside a traditional French laundry.
Getting around Chasseneuil-du-Poitou
Chasseneuil-du-Poitou is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Poitiers and 1.5 hours from La Rochelle. Nantes Atlantique Airport is 2.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and Futuroscope railway stations and buses travel throughout the town.