A Literary Tour de France
Poitiers
Summary
| Population: | 17,800 in 1780. |
| Book Trade: | twelve booksellers and three printers. Guild and chambre syndicale. |
| Institutions: | capital of Poitou, with royal Intendance, military government, tax généralité, and bishopric. |
| Culture |
university, large college, school of surgery, academy of painting, theater, newspaper, and reading cabinet. Garrison town. Literacy (for entire département): male 19%, female 9%. |
| Communications: | destination and overnight stop on diligence post road from Paris, branching point for Bordeaux and La Rochelle. |
| Economy: | limited trade, mostly in wool stockings and caps, leather, sheepskins. Grain and wine growing |