Troyes is considered to be one of France’s finest medieval centres and is located on the wide alluvial plains of the River Seine, approximately 150 kilometres south-east of Paris. The town, which was once the capital of the Champagne region, prides itself on its rich cultural heritage, its unique architectural buildings and its street-plan which resembles the shape of a cork. This occurred during the 12th and 13th centuries when the Counts of Champagne gave their prosperous capital a series of fortifications which were skirted by a bend of the River Seine. These fortifications were demolished during the 19th century and were replaced with wide boulevards, which, from the air at least resemble the shape of a champagne cork!!
The delightful city of Troyes lies at the centre of the Aube department of the Champagne-Ardenne Region of north-eastern France. Standing on the southern banks of the River Seine, which was once a major trading route between Flanders and Italy, Troyes became a thriving trading centre during the Middle Ages. This was complimented by the famous three month long trade fairs which were promoted by the Counts of Champagne and created a meeting point for progressive craftsmen from all over the western world. Troyes also became an important centre for setting the standard of weights and measures for all of Europe. Today this former medieval prosperity is reflected in the spectacular historic centre which is graced with magnificent half-timbered and uniquely designed Renaissance houses, attractive Gothic churches and 16th-century streets and squares.
The old town is divided into the upper and lower districts by the Canal de la Haute-Seine, which was once the centre of a thriving port area, and is comprised of many narrow and crooked streets which are full of atmosphere and lined by steep-roofed half-timbered houses. Major sights include not only the numerous medieval houses, but several of the later 16th century, stone-built Renaissance styled buildings, such as the Hotel de Marisy, Hotel de Mauroy and the Hotel du Lion Noir which are worthy of a little exploration. The Hotel de Ville dates from the 17th century and is an example of the style of Louis XIII. The city also boasts 10 delightful churches which are particularly well known for their stain-glass windows, these include the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul which dominates the centre of Troyes, the Church of Saint Remy which is notable for its crooked spire and its one-handed external clock, the Church of Saint John which is considered to be one of the most picturesque in the city, the Church of Saint Martin es Vignes and the Church of Saint Urbain are particularly well known for their stained-glass windows.
If museums are your thing, Troyes offers several interesting venues to choose from. These include the Museum of Modern Art which is located in the old Bishop’s Palace and includes a sculpture by Rodin, the Museum of Craft Tools which is located in the 16th century Hotel de Mauroy, Vauluisant Museum which houses the Troyes and Champagne Historical Museum and the Museum of Hosiery for which the city is well known, the Apothecary de l’Hotel Dieu Lecomte which is a replica of an early 18th century pharmacy – the Saint Loup Museum that houses a very important collection of fine arts, archaeology and natural history, and the Museum di Marco which exhibits the works of Angelo di Marco, reporter and artist of the 1950’s.
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