Parthenay: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The historic centre of Parthenay lies on a rocky promontory above a bend in the Thouet River.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Parthenay will find a destination with a medieval townscape.

Culture and History

Parthenay’s medieval fortifications include the Porte Saint-Jacques, the Porte de l’Horloge and the moat. The Porte Saint-Jacques was built at the beginning of the 13th century and opens onto a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

The Musée d’art et d’histoire Georges Turpin presents the history of Parthenay and local faience collections in its permanent exhibition. It also houses a significant archaeological collection from excavations of the medieval town of Parthenay. The museum regularly offers guided tours, workshops and other events.

The Centre d’interprétation de l’architecture et du patrimoine is an exhibition venue in the Maison du patrimoine in the heart of the medieval town of Parthenay. Certified guides from the heritage service of Parthenay-Gâtine offer guided tours in Parthenay.

The Tèrra-Aventura route “le blues du pèlerin” offers a fun way to discover Parthenay and its medieval heritage.

Nature and Trails

The Parc des Loges is a place of high biodiversity, home to more than 30 bird species. The Voie verte Parthenay-Bressuire is a 32-kilometre greenway with four different starting points.

The Jardin Férolle is a medieval garden for walking and relaxation. It can be visited without a guide.

Events

The Festival ludique international de Parthenay (FLIP) takes place in July.

More local pages: Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay, Saint-Germain-de-La-Chaume, Melle, Saint-Hilaire-La-Palud, Caunay, Saint-Pierre-des-Échaubrognes, Fors, Maisonnay

For the higher-level travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.