Troyes is home to well-preserved medieval architecture and a rich heritage. One of the most important places to visit is its magnificent old town, which is a great example of medieval architecture. Walking through the narrow cobbled streets takes you back in time, with half-timbered houses from the 16th century giving it a historical feel.
Explore the beautifully preserved Ruelle des Chats (Cats Alley) and the hidden courtyards and atmospheric little squares. The city is home to several museums and art galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art, which displays an impressive collection of contemporary works. The Museum of Fine Arts in Troyes showcases masterpieces by famous artists such as Renoir and Monet.
The city’s textile tradition can be discovered at the Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière (House of Workers’ Tools and Thoughts). This unique museum not only showcases tools used in various crafts. Troyes is also a paradise for shoppers and fashion lovers.
Location
Troyes it’s a city and commune in France, located on the Seine in the Grand Est region, about 150 km southeast of Paris.
Troyes Old Town
Old Town Troyes is charming city with countless coloured half-timbered houses. The historic centre is not big. You can easily see everything on foot. The old town is like a true open-air museum.
Romantic, narrow alleys lined by half-timbered buildings and Gothic churches with some of the best stained-glass windows in all of France. Troyes was an important commercial town during the Middle Ages as is reflected by the size of its historic houses and the high artistic value of its church windows. In recent years, Troyes has become famous for having some of the largest and best factory outlet shopping malls in France.
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Troyes
Troyes Cathedral (St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Cathedral) is a Catholic church located in the town of Troyes. Troyes Cathedral is one of the great Gothic cathedrals of Central France.
A church, dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul and is the episcopal seat of the Bishop of Troyes. The cathedral, in the Gothic architectural style, has been a listed monument historique since 1862.
Modern Art Museum
The Museum of Modern Art in Troyes houses paintings of renowned artists like Modigliani, Matisse, Vlaminck, Picasso, Courbet and offers a wide panorama of painting in this period. The museum also houses drawings, sculptures, tapestries, ceramics and furthermore glass from the famous glass artist from Troyes: Maurice Marinot. d.
Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology (Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’Archéologie
The Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology of Châlons-en-Champagne is one of the oldest museums in France and the first to have been created in the Marne area in 1794. It was named the departmental museum. Its collections were formed from revolutionary confiscations, in particular the paintings from the Jacques Cazotte collection.
Basilique Saint-Urbain de Troyes
The Basilica of Saint Urban in Troyes, France, is a model of Gothic architecture, embodying centuries of religious, cultural, and historical significance. Visitors to the Basilica of Saint Urban are often captivated by its soaring vaults, flying buttresses, and the magnificent rose window adorning its west facade.
Despite numerous interruptions and delays over the centuries, the basilica has been meticulously preserved and restored, making it a must-see for history buffs, architectural admirers, and spiritual seekers.
Cité du Vitrail
In an 18th-century setting, this cultural site, a cultural site of the Aube Department of international stature, covers 3,000 m² at the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte. The Cité du Vitrail is a center dedicated to a remarkable and unique glass heritage. It is a place to explain the art of stained glass in all its dimensions and exhibit it at eye level.
The Heart of Troyes (Le Coeur de Troyes)
The heart of Troyes is the focal point of the redevelopment of the quays of the Haute Seine Canal. This steel sculpture, standing on the Quai Elle, symbolises the opening of the Haute-Seine Canal. The heart weighs 2 tonnes, is 4 metres wide, 3.5 metres high and 2 metres deep. It is made of 200 pieces of stainless steel and turns red at dusk.
Ruelle des Chats (Cat Alley)
Cat Alley is a famous passage in Troyes known for its narrowness and atmosphere. It was formerly called Maillard Alley.
The roofs of the houses were touching each other, so the cats moved from house to house through the attics, hence the new name. It is located in the very center of the city and impresses with its half-timbered houses.
Tool House (Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière)
The House of Tools (and Workers’ Thought), developed by the Compagnons du Devoir, houses one of the largest collections of 17th and 18th century tools. It allows visitors to discover that a skilled craftsman cannot be reduced solely to his hand. Each of his actions, each of his gestures, is the fruit of an intellectual act and a rich sensitivity.
