Parthenay’s historic centre lies on a rocky spur above a bend in the Thouet River. Together with its medieval fortifications, this setting gives the town a distinct historic character. At the same time, there is more to explore than architecture: collections, a heritage interpretation centre, a park rich in wildlife and a medieval garden offer other points of interest. You can explore Parthenay according to whichever aspect interests you most.
Medieval gates and the town’s history
The medieval fortifications include the Porte Saint-Jacques, the Porte de l’Horloge and the moat. The Porte Saint-Jacques was built in the early 13th century and opens onto a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Here, two themes meet: the defence of the medieval town and the pilgrimage route. The Porte de l’Horloge and the moat offer further insight into the fortifications.
The permanent exhibition at the Musée d’art et d’histoire Georges Turpin presents the history of Parthenay and local faience collections. The museum also holds a significant archaeological collection from excavations in the medieval town of Parthenay. Your visit can therefore take different directions: the permanent exhibition brings together the town’s history and faience, while the archaeological collection focuses on finds from medieval Parthenay.
Another exhibition venue is the Centre d’interprétation de l’architecture et du patrimoine, located in the Maison du patrimoine in the heart of the medieval town. It is dedicated to architecture and heritage, adding a dedicated exhibition venue to the town’s historic attractions.
Guided tours and fun ways to explore
The Musée d’art et d’histoire regularly offers guided tours, workshops and other events. Accredited tour guides from the Parthenay-Gâtine heritage service also offer tours in Parthenay. There are different formats to choose from: a museum visit with a guide, a workshop or another event, or a tour with an accredited guide.
The Tèrra-Aventura trail “le blues du pèlerin” offers a fun way to discover Parthenay and its medieval heritage. It provides an alternative to a museum visit or a traditional guided tour, and is suited to travellers who want to explore the heritage in a playful way.
Gardens, parks and green routes
The Parc des Loges is a place rich in biodiversity, home to more than 30 bird species. For nature-loving travellers, this offers a specific focus that differs from exploring Parthenay’s architecture and museums.
The Jardin FĂ©rolle is a medieval garden for strolling and relaxing. You can visit it without a guide; as visiting arrangements may change, it is advisable to check them before your visit.
The Voie verte Parthenay-Bressuire offers another way to spend time outdoors: this greenway is 32 kilometres long and has four different starting points. This distinction is useful when planning: at the Jardin FĂ©rolle, the focus is on strolling and relaxation, while the Voie verte offers a route and a choice of four starting points.
An event in July
The Festival ludique international de Parthenay (FLIP) takes place in July. If you are considering visiting Parthenay that month, check the exact event dates when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Vasles, Moutiers-Sous-Chantemerle, Xaintray, Souvigné, Périgné, Ardilleux, La Guérinière and Exoudun.
Return to the regional travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.
