25 ideas for fun activities to do with children in Poitiers

Visit Poitiers while having fun: escape games and adventures in the city

Investigations and treasure hunts to explore the city in a different way

Would you like to discover the city of Poitiers in a different and fun way? Escape games and puzzles await you as you explore the most beautiful monuments and sites in the city of Poitiers: Our Lady the Great, the palace, Cathedral, the Holy Cross Museum...

Please note that the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church is closed for restoration until May 2027.

Eleanor at Salisbury Castle: Adventure game in downtown Poitiers

Thrown into the year 1173, your mission will be to solve an unsolved case in the heart of the city of Poitiers: Who is responsible for Eleanor's imprisonment in Salisbury Castle?

Address

Greater Poitiers Tourist Office

45 Place Charles de Gaulle 86000 Poitiers

10€ per adult, 5€ per child from 7 to 15 years old, free for children under 7 years old

Escape Game Adventure with Odyssée Prod: the urban investigation 

Ready to play the role of a secret agent? Head to Rue Carnot in downtown Poitiers to experience an urban adventure for budding secret agents and conduct an investigation with the Escape Game Adventure.

Address

7 Rue Carnot 86000 Poitiers

The Escape League: clues to find and puzzles to solve

In the heart of downtown Poitiers, The Escape League welcomes you to exciting family challenges. Discover the challenges now. The goal is to search for clues and solve puzzles to win the challenges.

• Eleanor's Treasure: A Mission Almost Not Impossible  
  Stop everything! Eleanor of Aquitaine has a request of the utmost importance, and it is your family that she has chosen. Your mission, if you accept it: find his priceless treasure located near the Palace of the Counts of Poitou. Learn more
• Firefighters alert: Put on your firefighter outfit and climb aboard our authentic fire truck! You have 60 minutes to prove your skills and validate your volunteer firefighter training at the Lepetit fire station. Learn more

Address

8 Place Alphonse Lepetit 86000 Poitiers

Walks in the most beautiful parks of Poitiers

Blossac Park: the lungs of Poitiers

A veritable haven of greenery right in the city center. It's a must-see! French garden, English garden, children's playground, and even a small zoo! 

Address

1 bis Rue Léopold Thézard 86000 Poitiers

The Jardin des Plantes: for those curious about nature

Varied flora, botanical garden, tropical greenhouse and even labeled plants like in a natural museum.

Address

Jardin des Plantes, 1 rue du Jardins des Plantes 86000 Poitiers

Îlot Tison & Guinguette Pictave: the holiday spirit by the water

Relaxation, wooden games, food trucks, ice cream, entertainment and live music in a bucolic setting on the banks of the Clain below the heart of Poitiers.

Address

3 chemin du Tison 86000 Poitiers

Curiosity and science at Espace Mendès France

A unique place to experiment, explore, and marvel with the family. Planetarium, exhibitions, science workshops... and even science birthday parties!

Address

1 Place de la Cathédrale 86000 Poitiers

Art and culture for families: museum and media library

The Holy Cross Museum 

We don't always think about it, but museums can also be great places to go on outings with children.

The Sainte-Croix Museum in Poitiers offers a variety of exhibitions, accessible to everyone, even the youngest visitors. During school holidays, fun activities are organized to allow for a unique approach to the works and collections. A great way to discover art while having fun, at your own pace.

The +: you can see the famous legendary monster of Poitiers, the Grand'Goule, an impressive sculpted dragon that will intrigue children as well as a large collection of works by Camille Claudel.

Address

3 bis rue Jean Jaurès 86000 Poitiers

The François Mitterrand Media Library

Head to the media library in the heart of Poitiers to make new discoveries with the children. Numerous activities are organized to delight little ones: musical awakening, reading albums, exhibitions, as well as games and toy workshops.

Address

4 University Street – 86000 Poitiers

The Palace of Poitiers in fun mode

Former residence of the Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine, the Palace constitutes one of the most remarkable ensembles of medieval civil architecture in France.

Activities and exhibitions allow families to discover this iconic monument in a different way. A great way to combine heritage and fun!

A gourmet break: the best kid-friendly spots in Poitiers

A walk also means a sweet break. Here are some addresses:

The Little Rocket

Homemade pizzas prepared with love in a warm and relaxed place, perfect for children.

Address

21 Place Charles de Gaulle 86000 Poitiers

To the chatter

A cozy café-bookstore with a relaxation area , a very comprehensive specialty coffee menu (you will be served by a certified barista!) and homemade cakes!

Address

158 Grand'Rue 86000 Poitiers

Mamie Bigoude's counter

An iconic family crêperie in Poitiers with crazy decor and generous pancakes : a favorite address for families.

Address

25 Place Charles de Gaulle 86000 Poitiers

The Guinguette Pictave

There's nothing like a meal or snack with your feet in the grass, by the water! Wooden games, food trucks, and ice creams to share in complete simplicity.

Address

Tison Island 86000 Poitiers

And what about bringing back a souvenir or going shopping in the center of Poitiers with the family?

Poitiers is full of shops dedicated to children or offering lovely gifts to slip into suitcases:

Wooden Man at the Department Store 

A lovely shop selling wooden toys and educational games in the Department Store (iconic concept store in Poitiers), with a quality selection for the youngest.

independent bookstores

The Beautiful Adventure, 12/15 rue des écoles
Gibert Joseph, 7 rue Gambetta
Ink Bubbles (comics), 63 Cathedral Street
La Ludibrairie (specializing in card games and board games)
At the Chatter – Café Bookstore 158 Grand Rue

The Little Souk

A colorful and whimsical world with decor, games, accessories and stationery to die for. It's this way !

Cyrillus Poitiers

Elegant and timeless children's clothing to complete your holiday suitcase.  It's over there !

Les Cordeliers Shopping Center

A convenient place for family shopping, with plenty of stores like Nature & Découvertes, Fnac, and Monoprix, right in the historic city center. (And the building is superb!)

Republic Corner: food court and entertainment just minutes from the center

A unique place for the whole family! Games, entertainment, concerts, a comedy club, giant parties, and a food court all in a secure, open space.

Address

19 Rue de la République, 86000 Poitiers

Why choose Poitiers for your next family vacation?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Activities suitable for all ages
🍹City on a human scale, easy to explore on foot or by bike 
🌿🎶Green spaces and friendly atmosphere 

A stone's throw from Futuroscope 🤩!

Also discover the 8 good reasons to come on vacation in the Vienne