Parthenay, Deux-Sèvres, Poitou-Charentes

Parthenay, with its historic quarter of 100 timber-framed houses - the Rue de la Vau Saint-Jacques is the longest medieval street in Europe - takes the cyclist back to the time of the Seigneurs. Stroll along its winding lanes to enjoy magnificent panoramic views. Climb to the top of the flamboyant Porte Saint-Jacques to admire the rolling green countryside typical of the Gâtine region. Before heading off along the voie verte towards Fenery and Bressuire, the old railway station is the ideal place to picnic, refresh yourself or read a book left at your disposal - Gare de Clessé: former railway station being renovated to welcome tourists (restaurants, accommodation...). - Terves: donkey farm - La Chapelle-Saint-Laurent : Basilique Notre-Dame de Pitié - Bressuire: Notre-Dame church and its 56-meter high bell tower

This 3.5 km route in the heart of the town of Parthenay invites you to discover the emblematic sculptures of the town and their history. Please note that people with reduced mobility must be accompanied to take the paths that lead to the discovery of certain statues.

Departing from Parthenay, this 5.5km loop will give you the chance to discover trail running on a variety of paths, from single-track to dirt roads, wide paths, up and down stairs and small steep sections in town. In addition to discovering the practice of trail running, this route alternates between paths along the Thouet river and passages through the town, allowing you to explore Parthenay's medieval quarter, with its timber-framed houses, fortified gates and ramparts. Parthenay: Little Carcassonne of the West will hold no secrets for you!

Departing from Parthenay, you set off on a 22 km loop of medium difficulty. On this route, you'll encounter few major technical difficulties, as you'll be riding almost entirely on paths ranging from single-track to wide paths. You'll go as far as La Trébesse, a pretty hamlet on the banks of the Thouet, which you'll cross several times. On the way back to Parthenay, you'll cross the Rézard ford and discover the magnificent Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre de Parthenay-le-Vieux. An excellent route for intermediate runners.

In Châtillon-sur-Thouet, park on the car park of the greenway. A notice board will show you the starting point. Then follow the wooden markers with a bicycle and light green directional arrows. Without any particular indications, continue on your way. Discover the charm of the Gâtine and the Thouet valley: hedged farmland, waterways and scattered settlements.

Departing from Parthenay, you set off on a 49 km black difficulty route. There are few technical sections, but the difficulty lies in the number of kilometers you have to cover, giving you the chance to work on your endurance. At the start of the course, you'll find many paved sections on secondary roads, before moving on to wide paths where you can develop your stride. The final stretch is made up of small singles through the fields, before you reach Parthenay via the Voie Verte and enjoy a superb view of the town.

Departing from Parthenay, you set off on a 10.5 km loop of medium difficulty. The route takes you along the banks of the River Thouet, with crossings via footbridges. You'll explore Parthenay's medieval town center, with its half-timbered houses and numerous staircases to give your legs a workout! This loop combines sport and sightseeing for a great discovery experience!

This circuit can be started in several places. However, an existing parking area at the place called Monplaisir allows you to start on the Voie Verte, a pedestrian axis on the old railroad that linked Parthenay to Bressuire. After crossing the Bois du Theil and seeing some views of the surrounding fields, exit at the level crossing of the Parthenay-Fénery road at a place called Le Piogé. You then go along the property of Theil with some views on the castle or the ponds. As you pass by, you will see buildings from the end of the 19th century at Sainte-Anne and Notre-Dame. From La Timarière, a small wild and shaded path between woods and meadows brings us back to the starting point.

This circuit of 5.2 km will lead you to the discovery of the commune of Pompaire and its wealth. Departure from the place Arthur Rimbaud.

La Chapelle-Betrand reveals itself during a tour for all. A rich vernacular heritage made up of wash houses and fountains will allow you to understand the history and daily life in the past in this small rural commune. Do not hesitate to make a detour to the place called Miolière to discover a pretty little chapel recently restored. All along the circuit, a signposting brings you keys to understand the history of the village with water as a common thread.

House for 6 to 8 travelers/ 4 rooms Facing the Saint Jacques gate, charming house on the banks of the Thouet. Located at the entrance of the medieval quarter, with its two terraces, this old octroi house has been entirely renovated for your comfort. You will be carried away by its charm of another age and its soothing environment. Bright living room/kitchen of 40 m² on the ground floor. Sofas (one convertible), library, television, wifi, WC with sink. The kitchen is equipped with new comfort. Laundry room. Corridor. On the second floor, 2 bedrooms (1 double bed in each room) with private bathroom and 1 WC on the landing. On the second floor, 2 bedrooms (1 with a double bed and 1 with 2 single beds), 1 separate bathroom. 2 terraces (garden furniture and barbecue). Garage and passageway The gite is reserved for the whole period of the FLIP (July)

On the way to Compostela, a medieval town near Futuroscope, Puy du Fou, Marais Poitevin and La Rochelle. Close to the town centre and the aquatic complex, the gîte benefits from a private park and swimming pool.

Romantic Gîte

Imposing 14th century castle surrounded by a moat with a working drawbridge, loopholes, parapet walk, granite fireplaces, and situated in a quiet and rustic park with lots of charm. The magnificent rooms are arranged in accordance with their medieval setting. Access is via a spiral staircase. 5 majestic and spacious bedrooms (100 m2), with private bathroom or shower and wc: Seigneuriale room - double canopy bed and tapestry; Chevalier room - partitioned double bed and heraldic decorations; Sentinel room - large double canopy bed, kitchenette and spectacular views. Vaulted room (former guard room). Watchtower and Chatelaine Room.

Sylvie and Christophe will be delighted to welcome you to our 220 m2 house, where you can rent one or two bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. You can also enjoy breakfast or lunch on our separate terrace. One bedroom has a double bed (140cm), and a crib is available on request. The second bedroom has a double bed (140cm) and a 2-seater sofa bed. We can easily park your bicycles, vehicles or other items. The other rooms in our house are private, but we'd be delighted to welcome you around a roaring fire in our living room, or to share a meal in our kitchen. You can use our kitchen if you wish Petanque pitch and table tennis available. Pets not allowed as we have two dogs, three cats, chickens etc...

We welcome you in the peak of Poitou, at the source of Auxence: the Den of Fouilloux (Le Terrier du Fouilloux) The house and cottage are located in an old stone farmhouse completely renovated. Here we produce our electricity, we heat with wood and grow ourvegetables irrigated by well water. The fauna and flora surrounding are very rich and the absence of visual pollution will let you admire a magnificent starry sky. We get hikers to walk or bike, quiet lovers, the festival (FLIP in July in Parthenay, the FIFO Menigoute in October ...), visitors from all over ... We are located between Poitiers and Futuroscope, Puy du Fou, Marais Poitevin, La Rochelle and vendénnes beaches. If you choose the B & B, Valérie suggests you to test the guest table with products from the garden and surroundings

We welcome you in the peak of Poitou, at the source of Auxence: the Den of Fouilloux (Le Terrier du Fouilloux). The house and cottage are located in an old stone farmhouse completely renovated. Here we produce our electricity, we heat with wood and grow ourvegetables irrigated by well water. The fauna and flora surrounding are very rich and the absence of visual pollution will let you admire a magnificent starry sky. We get hikers to walk or bike, quiet lovers, the festival (FLIP in July in Parthenay, the FIFO Menigoute in October ...), visitors from all over ... We are located between Poitiers and Futuroscope, Puy du Fou, Marais Poitevin, La Rochelle and vendénnes beaches. If you choose the B & B, Valérie suggests you to test the guest table with products from the garden and surroundings

Old detached house completely renovated located in a quiet and green environment. Lounge/dining room, fully equipped kitchen, shower room, separate toilet. 3 attic bedrooms upstairs. Enclosed garden with trees and barbecue, garden furniture. At 2.5 km from the village of Gourgé (shops, restaurant). At Parthenay (14 km), all shops, medieval town, festivals. 3 golf courses nearby (30/35 km). Lake of Cébron (8 km) ornithological reserve, fishing, swimming pool. Ideally situated to discover the Futuroscope, the Marais Poitevin or the Puy du Fou.

Nice house in a small and peaceful village. Many opportunities for hiking or cycling from home, in the landscapes of the Gâtine Poitevine: Thouet valley , Cébron lake for the closest. The Cébron lake, 5 minutes by car, is a Natural Area famous for ornithology. The house is located on the bike paths of the "Vélofrancette" and 5 minutes on foot from the long hiking trail "GR36". Futuroscope, Puy du Fou, Marais Poitevin, Chateaux de la Loire, Atlantic Ocean are accessible by car in around 1 hour/1 and a half. The house includes - 2 bedrooms (2 double bed ans 1 single bed), 1 living room (3 additionnal sleeping : a sofa bed and a bench), 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom, 1 WC and 1 laundry (washing machine) The house has an independent enclosed courtyard. A barbecue is available. It is also possible to have access to a small pond to fish or simply picnic at the water's edge.

Margaux Voguet and Benoît De Dreuille have created the Astore restaurant, which opened at the end of 2021. They offer traditional cuisine, using ultra-local, high-quality produce. Atypical combinations will delight your taste buds. An in-house wine list completes the offer. In fine weather, you can enjoy a shaded garden terrace.

Like the Saint-Jacques Gate, the Gate of the Citadel known as the Clock Tower is an entrance châtelet dating from the beginning of the 13th century, composed of two almond-shaped towers framing a vaulted passage. The latter is surmounted by a guard room communicating with the parapet walk of the neighbouring walls, and giving access to the summit platform. In 1454, the platform was equipped with a bell ringing the hours (the square bell that houses it is more recent).

A classified historic monument, the Sainte-Croix church was founded by the lords of Parthenay, close to their castle, in the citadel district. Founded at the end of the 11th century, the church is said to have hosted the relics of the "True Cross". While the sculpted facade disappeared over the 18th century, the two side doors have retained their pronounced Roman character. During the 15th century, Arthur de Richemont spearheaded construction of the bell tower, which has long since lost its arrow.

At 67-69 rue de la Vau Saint-Jacques, admire this example of civil architecture, which is one of the most beautiful and complete in the city. Built in the 15th century and remodelled in the 16th century, this house must have been home to the family of a rich merchant or craftsman. It is organized on both sides of a granite shearing wall going up to the roof. A fire destroyed the attic on the left, which gives this impression of asymmetry to the whole. Inside, it has interesting architectural elements: mullioned and cross-beamed windows, spiral staircases, monumental fireplaces, sculpted seats...

The church of Notre-Dame de la Couldre was built at the beginning of the 12th century, in the heart of the citadel and was the seat of the archpriest of Parthenay. Only the façade of this important building, destroyed in the 17th century, remains. Take the time to contemplate the magnificent sculptures that adorn the central portal illustrating the theme of the Annunciation.

The medieval city still has a hundred or so half-timbered houses, which can be discovered along the winding streets of the Saint-Jacques district. They can be recognized by their corbelled construction from one level to another. On the first floor, generally made of granite, was the store whose large openings can still be recognized. On the first floor and under the roof lived the weavers. It is indeed in the Saint-Jacques district that were produced the sheets of Parthenay which were exported in the Middle Ages in the north of the kingdom.

Built in the middle of the 11th century, this church belonged to the Saint-Paul priory which depended on the Benedictines of the Cormery abbey. Only the façade is well preserved (the nave was burnt down in 1568 and the chevet collapsed in 1747). It has a portal surmounted by two round arches, a central window with columns and capitals decorated with snakes, and a cornice with modillions representative of the Romanesque bestiary.

In the continuity of the ancient know-how, the medieval gardens medieval gardens are dedicated to nourish those who cultivate it. We find them outside fortresses, in monasteries, near houses. The capitulary De Villis written at the end of the 8th century already shows their importance. In this legislative act, Charlemagne issued recommendations, including a list of a hundred plants, shrubs and trees to be cultivated by the monks. Fruits and vegetables enriched the diet and supplemented the meals in case of grain shortages. The different areas are clearly designated: the hortus or vegetable garden, the herbularius or garden of the simple and the viridarium or orchard. The medieval garden is considered as an allegory of the heavenly Paradise The gardens evolve on a double religious and utilitarian symbolism.

The oldest church in Parthenay, located in the heart of the town centre, has undergone many transformations. Of the primitive church, only the reused Nepalese sculptures on the façade remain. The 11th century porch tower was rebuilt and surmounted by a spire in 1870. The north side nave (three Flamboyant Gothic bays) and the stained glass window in the apse date from the 15th century.

Through a recent breach in the city walls, you will discover the Gothic chevet of the Cordeliers Chapel. Founded in the 13th century by Hugues II of Parthenay, it was given to the Franciscan order of the Cordeliers (the monks wore a rope tied to their belt).

It's Gyslain who cooks, serves you and cashes in...so with a smile, we stay patient and then we enjoy ourselves! La Citadelle is a traditional restaurant at the gates of the medieval city. You will be welcomed in a warm, bistro and friendly atmosphere. On the menu, fresh local products, local meat breeds including the Parthenaise to the great satisfaction of gourmets!

Grocery store at the gates of the medieval quarter... delicatessen cellar... cheese cellar... wine cellar... quality sandwiches... goodies... a gourmet caprice for the bon vivants....

Tacos Time offers, on the spot or to take away, to compose its wheat patty, with one or more meats, raw vegetables, cheeses, all accompanied by spicy sauces and fries.

Traditional restaurant with Italian inspired dishes, located in the heart of downtown with its adjoining wine bar.

Home delivery of pizzas (within a 5km radius of Parthenay), pizzas to make up, salads, pastas and desserts.

The restaurant Les Templiers welcomes you in a warm and modern setting.

The restaurant "Le Fin Gourmet" is located in the centre of Parthenay, very close to Les Halles, a few meters from the famous Tour de l'Horloge, near a magnificent view of the Thouet and its chef, Thierry Guilbault, offers you menus every week renewed according to the seasons and the flavours of the market, as well as a rich and varied menu reinvented three times a year. Fine and refined cuisine, including a discovery menu that will delight your taste buds! Reservation recommended.

Coming to the medieval quarter of Parthenay, and pushing open the door of La Gargante, is like taking a gourmet break out of time. La Gargante is THE destination for lovers of good food and good drink. A genuine alternative to traditional restaurants, La Gargante is a cellar serving food, craft beers and natural wines (Raisin label), with a terrace and several tasting rooms. Cheese platters, charcuterie platters, antipasti platters, Pata Negra platters, homemade tarts or quiches, roast camembert, candlelit raclette, "Karine & Jeff" vegetarian dishes, "La Cour des Saveurs" medieval recipes, as well as a wide selection of pâtés, rillettes, spreads, chips... It's also a chef's residence. By following our FB page, you'll be kept up to date with events in the restaurant in the colors of the chef in residence.

Come and taste the delicious breads, pastries and viennoiseries made by the team at Maison Vollet, an artisan bakery and pastry shop in Parthenay, Deux-Sèvres.

Hungry? choice of burger, tacos, tex mex, sandwich.... Free wifi!

This XVIIth century house located in the heart of the medieval quarter, place du Vauvert, offers 5 rooms available all year round including a family room You will have access to the large garden of the property.

4 rooms for up to 8 people (2 per room)

Stay in this charming medieval house tastefully restored and equipped with all modern conveniences. Situated in the heart of the historic district of Parthenay, you will be charmed by the romantic atmosphere that reigns here while enjoying the many activities and festivals that make the reputation of the city. You are also close to the major regional tourist sites such as Le Puy du Fou, Le Futuroscope, Le Marais Poitevin, La Rochelle, the beaches of Charente and Vendee... La Gâtine is full of many treasures that will not fail to surprise you. The many hiking trails will reveal landscapes you never imagined! At the end of the day, you will appreciate resting on the terrace to share a moment of complicity with your family while imagining the life of the district in medieval times!

Stay in the heart of Parthenay's historic district in a comfortable 3-storey house equipped to accommodate 6 people, close to the town's shops and entertainment. Ground floor: kitchen, utility room and WC Second floor: living room with BZ 160 cm (good-quality mattress), bathroom and separate toilet. Second floor: a large bedroom with a double bed (140 cm) and a windowless bedroom with 1 bunk bed (2x90 cm).

This medieval inn, restored in the respect of traditions, welcomes you on 3 levels in a warm and atypical setting. Capacity from 8 to 11 people. Change of scenery guaranteed: fireplace, large living room, 3 bedrooms and an alcove, courtyard and small garden in the heart of the medieval district of Parthenay, near the town centre. Internet and wifi. Deposit for one week rental : 350 €. Tourist tax of 0.75€ per night and per person over 18 years old.

Discover our guest rooms and let yourself be surprised by an exceptional setting in the heart of the city. Our air-conditioned, spacious and comfortably equipped rooms are located on the second floor of the house (no lift). This floor is entirely dedicated to you ensuring you calm and intimacy. You will also benefit from a beautiful living room, dining room and kitchen with a breathtaking view of the city. You will be able to stroll and recharge your batteries in the wooded garden. Breakfast is served every morning. Each room is equipped with its own shower room and private toilet. Ideally located between Puy du Fou (1H) and Futuroscope (45min), Marais Poitevin (45 min) and 1h 20 from La Rochelle.

This charming gîte overlooks the courtyard of this 18th-century building. It is 55 km from Futuroscope, 50 km from the Marais Poitevins, 71 km from Puy du fou and 117 km from La Rochelle. This accommodation sleeps 4, and comprises two bedrooms with two double beds.

Located in the heart of the city, spacious apartment (70m²) in a lively area close to the market, restaurants, bars and shops. This accommodation, fitted out for 4 to 5 people, offers all modern comforts and allows you to discover the richness of the medieval city of Parthenay and its numerous animations.

Charming 15th-century gîte with mullioned windows and monumental granite spiral staircase, right in the center of Parthenay. Ideally located close to shops, restaurants, market... A town of art and history, Parthenay also hosts many cultural and sporting events throughout the year.