See france-voyage.com. An ancient stronghold overlooking the River Thouet, Parthenay has settled for the quiet life behind the remains of its ramparts. On the road into town from the south, there is a fine Romanesque church at Parthenay-le-Vieux with a noted statue of a knight hawking on horseback. To the north, the 13thC Porte Saint-Jacques recalls the pilgrims en route to Spain who would have tramped up rue de la Vaux-Saint-Jacques still lined with medieval buildings.