The 7 fascinating legends of Poitiers
Atypical experiences, Living History
©Tom LAMBERT - Agence Zébrelle Let yourself be told the legends of Poitiers. A dose of history, a bit of imagination, a hint of emotion and miracles appear at the end of the street… or the cliff.
1. Gargantua, toes in the Clain
On the banks of the Clain, granite cliffs are home to dwellings, of plants or alternatively breeding birds. One of them, near the Joubert Bridge is named Gargantua's chair. The giant, Rabelais' hero, liked to sit there and admire the landscape... while dipping his toes in the water of the river.
2. The Standing Stone: Pantagruel VS Radegonde
Another hero of Rabelais, Pantagruel, son of Gargantua, left its mark on Dolmen of the Pierre Levée. He would have torn a large rock at a place called Passelourdin and would have installed it on four pillars, to make a table. Another legend tells that it would be Radegund (Queen of the Franks then Abbess at Poitiers canonized after his death in 587) who would have brought the rock back on his head, carrying the pillars in his apron.
3. La Grand'Goul
Beware because the memory of the Grand'Goule haunts the streets. This winged serpent, with its mouth (ghoul in patois) filled with sharp teeth, was watching, Middle Ages, the young girls who returned home and the nuns who borrowed the underground passages of Poitiers. Sainte Radegonde, called for help, managed to kill the horrible beast. There remains a sculpture Sainte-Croix Museum : sensitive souls refrain…
©Tom LAMBERT – Agence Zébrelle5. The Dark Fate of a Mule
A bit higher, liberty square, it is said that a mule, carrying a cargo of powder, became impatient while waiting for his mule driver who had gone for a drink. With so much stamping, the beast suddenly exploded into a thousand pieces with its load.
You do not believe in it ? Look on the facades of the square, le iron of his hoof stayed there.
6. The Mystery of the Keys to the City
In the year 1202, when the city was besieged by the English, a close friend of the mayor was offered a sum of money to betray the Poitevins and steal the keys to the city. When he entered the mayor's room, these were no longer there. When he woke up, the worried mayor called the guards and went to pray at theNotre-Dame-la-Grande church. Raising his eyes he discovered the keys… in the hands of the statue of the Virgin. The city of Poitiers was saved!
Explore Notre-Dame-la-Grande
©Tom LAMBERT – Agence Zébrelle7. The Guardian Fairies of the Silver Rock
Leaving the famous underground passages of the district of Cathedral, you can still see, if you walk early in the morning, charming fairies. They are the guardians of cellars filled with precious treasures: jewellery, gold, silver... To never forget them, a street bears the name of The Silver Rock.
