Vienne

The Vienne department is located in western France, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, with its capital in Poitiers, one of France's oldest university cities. The department is home to the famous Futuroscope theme and education park, which draws millions of visitors annually. Its economy blends agriculture, technology (Futuroscope as an imaging-technology hub) and universities. Poitiers is known for its rich ancient and medieval history as well as its lively student atmosphere, and the cost of living there is lower than in France's larger cities.

Poitiers, Châtellerault

• Université de Poitiers - One of France's oldest universities, offering a very wide range of programs.

Poitiers is a relatively safe student city; the neighborhoods around the university have a young, lively atmosphere. Around the train station and some lower parts of town it is busier, but this is usually not a problem with ordinary caution.

Poitiers has a TGV station on the Paris-Bordeaux line. The Vitalis city bus network and regional buses cover the city and its suburbs.