Sainte-Radegonde church

Sainte-Radegonde church, with its beautiful Gothic bell tower and porch, was formerly known as Sainte-Marie-Hors-Des-Murs. It took its current name when the saint was buried here. However, before becoming a saint, Dame Radégonde was the wife of Clothaire I, the son of Clovis. She had absolutely no intention of becoming Queen of the Franks. She was very pious and refused to wear fancy clothes or eat fast at banquets, preferring to give her bread to the poor. She even persuaded the king to release several people sentenced to death.  Eventually, she retired to Sainte-Croix abbey, which she founded in Poitiers. She remained there until her death. So many miracles and legends were attributed to her that pilgrims flocked to her tomb from all over the world, and she was declared a saint shortly after her death. She was supposedly the one who rid the town of the terrifying dragon Grand’Goule, which lived in the cellars of her abbey! She was not canonised by the Holy See, but was declared a saint by the people. It was therefore only natural for her to be named the Patron Saint of Poitiers. We’re now going to climb to the top of the Belvedere des Dunes. It offers a great view of the town and gives the opportunity to introduce the Notre-Dame des Dunes statue. Unfortunately, access to the belvedere is by stairs only, so it’s not suitable for people with special needs or with wheelchairs. If this applies to you, or if you’re just too lazy to climb the stairs, turn right into the Carlus Street, to cross the Pont Neuf to get back to the circuit at the Promenade Pasteur.