Parthenay

Riding from Champdeniers to Parthenay, you’ll cross the beautiful village of Saint-Marc-la-Lande which boasts a magnificent collegiate church, a commandery (once owned by a military religious order), a medieval-inspired garden and a conservation orchard. As you cycle on further, note how granite stone gives way to limestone as you enter an area known as the Gâtine Poitevine. Riding merrily along, you’ll be delighted to encounter a charming village or two, a mysterious river, a legendary centaur, a ford, old landscapes composed of hedge-divided fields, a medieval town... Arriving at Saint-Pierre-de-Parthenay-le-Vieux, admire the sublime church, its construction even attributed by legend to the Fairy Mélusine… Reaching the outdoor leisure centre, or Base de Loisirs, at Parthenay, dismount to enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Thouet River before heading into town to discover its historic centre and fine heritage.

Parthenay boasts an historic quarter with some 100 timberframe houses, and puts in a claim for Rue de la Vau Saint-Jacques being the longest medieval street to have survived in Europe. As a cyclist, imagine transporting yourself back to lordly times here! Wander around the winding streets and you’ll encounter wonderful views. Climb to the top of the ornate Porte Saint-Jacques and from on high you can admire the green, undulating countryside that typifies the Gâtine area. The old railway station proves a perfect place for a picnic and to refresh yourself, even to sit reading for a time, enjoying one of the selection of books left for passers-by to peruse, before you head off along the greenway towards Fenery, and then on to Bressuire.