Hi Hazel,

It is not really correct to equate "Partir d'une place" with "Sortir d'une place"

Why not?

Without context, I can see why you may wish to try to equate the two.

Partir is an intransitive verb and takes the meaning of s'en aller --> to set off / to go / to leave.

Sortir can be used both transitively or intransitively and takes the meaning --> to go outside / to leave / to come out (from) and the meaning changes when taking the auxiliary avoir or être

Partir (takes only être auxiliary) can be thought of as a synonym of sortir in some contexts but generally not.

For further analysis, you may like to refer here:  https://www.cnrtl.fr/lexicographie/ 

and enter each verb for full analysis.

Hope this helps.

Bonne continuation.

Jim