Parthenay
Parthenay ( in the local dialect Partenaes ) is a commune with 10,390 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Deux -Sèvres in the Poitou -Charentes. It is the administrative seat for the district of Parthenay ( sub-prefecture ), capital of the Canton of Parthenay and seat of the municipal association, founded in 2001 Parthenay.
Geography
Parthenay is at the top Thouet, at the mouth of his left tributary Palais, about 50 kilometers west of Poitiers and 55 kilometers north of Melle.
Townscape
From the north cause the bridge Saint -Jacques and the subsequent - in parts still medieval-looking - Rue de la Vaux Saint -Jacques in the old town, picturesquely situated with its citadel on a rocky plateau above the river Thouet.
History
The name occurs Parthenay first time in the 11th century, but seems to refer to the present-day district of Parthenay -le- Vieux. Traces of settlement dating from before have not survived. In the Middle Ages the city was a way station on the Way of St. James, but on a side road of Via Turonensis.
The fortifications of Parthenay, were strengthened again in the 15th century by the Constable de Richemont, who got the city in his hand after the extinction of the lords of Parthenay. In the 17th century, the Dukes of La Meilleraye, relatives Richelieu, were in possession of Parthenay. They resided in the Château de la Meilleraye in Beaulieu- sous- Parthenay.
Demographics
Attractions
- The castle: the Tour de la Poudrière, the Tour d' Harcourt, the Bastille de Richemont and the Boulevard d'Artillerie
- Remains of the city walls with Pont et Porte Saint -Jacques
- Half-timbered houses with brick fillings in the Rue de la Vaux -St- Jacques
Environment
Approximately 1.5 kilometers southwest of the city center lies the small town of Parthenay -le- Vieux. The Romanesque church of Saint -Pierre in the left tympanum shows the facade of a horseman holding a dove (?) In one hand and riding away on a figure lying on the ground. The interpretation of this figure, as unclear as the others - but mostly half-destroyed - equestrian statues in the area: Saint- Hilaire in Melle, Saint- Pierre in Aulnay, Saint -Nicolas in Civray and Saint-Pierre in Airvault. The right tympanum may display Samson as he fights a lion. Inside the church, some figurative capitals find with mythical creatures ( Sirens, winged ibex, etc.)
Twinning
Parthenay maintains with several cities around the world twinning. For this purpose, the city set up a special committee, the Comité de Jumelage de Parthenay, a. Especially the cities Manakara in Madagascar and Tsévié in Togo are also supported by social projects.
- Manakara Madagascar, Madagascar (1962 )
- Germany Wine, Germany (1980 )
- Tsévié Togo, Togo (1990 )
- Spain Arnedo, Spain ( 1991)
- Portugal Abrantes, Portugal ( 1993)
- Canada Edmundston, Canada ( 1993)
- Ireland Tipperary, Ireland ( 1994)