Troyes

Église Sainte-Madeleine

Of all the buildings in Troyes, this religious monument is certainly one of the oldest and most valuable. Boasting an inimitable Old Gothic style, the Sainte-Madeleine church undeniably seduces tourists and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Restored in the 16th century and classified as a historical monument since 1840, the building is also known for its partitioning and splendid stained-glass windows dating back to the Renaissance and featuring dazzling colours that undeniably capture the visitor’s attention.

The Basilica of St. Urban

The Basilica of St. Urban is considered one of the three most perfect Gothic architectures in the world. It is named after Pope Jacques Pantaléon, better known as Urban IV and was built in 1260 by order of the latter.

Particularly elegant, the Basilica of Saint-Urbain is unique and has a superb façade. The interior of the basilica is also worth seeing.

As soon as you enter the church, you will be immediately struck by the brightness and sober elegance of the place. The impressive stained glass windows created in 1270 were beautifully restored in 1992.

Ruelle des Chats

The alley of cats is a tiny medieval street full of charm. Formerly called Rue Maillard, it was only in 1783 that it was renamed ‘alley of the cats’.

According to legend, cats can pass fearlessly from rooftop to rooftop in this alley. Its atmosphere is timeless and worth a stroll, especially in the evening.

The alley of the cats is one of the oldest and certainly the most emblematic streets in the city of Troyes, but also the narrowest, full of skilfully renovated half-timbered houses. This alley leads to the magnificent Cour du Mortier d’Or, where you can discover the hidden side of the half-timbered houses, embellished with 19th-century lighting.

Maison de l'Outil

Located inside the Hotel Mauroy, the Maison de l’outil et de la pensée ouvrière (MOPO) opened its doors in 1974. This museum was founded on the initiative of Father Paul Feller, a Jesuit who was passionate about the evolution of working techniques. It houses a vast collection of tools dating from the 17th to the 19th century, all handcrafted: there are almost 12,000 of them, divided by subject and profession.

The House of Tools and Workers’ Thought is one of the unmissable places in the city of Troyes. Every year it welcomes between 16,000 and 25,000 visitors. You will find 32,000 fascinating exhibits tracing the history of trades and craft techniques. With this immense selection of reading material, the Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière is the second largest library of technical works in France, right after the Forney library in Paris.

Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology

Also called the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology, it was created between the 17th and 18th centuries and houses an important collection of applied art objects from different periods. Through these fascinating exhibits, it is possible to get a real insight into the artistic and cultural evolution of mankind.

On site, you will discover works of art, archaeological pieces, graphic arts, sculptures and paintings. The museum exhibits mainly French, Dutch and Italian paintings from the Middle Ages to modern times. You will also find the works of Antoine Watteau and Philippe de Champaigne, famous French painters of the 18th century.

In the vaulted cellars of its former abbey, the museum also houses archaeological pieces and sculptures spanning a wide period, from prehistoric times to the time of the French Merovingians, via ancient Egypt or Greece.

La Maison Du Boulanger

A former Renaissance-era bakery, the Maison Du Boulanger was the first half-timbered building to be renovated in Troyes in 1963, after lengthy negotiations with the city, which wanted to demolish it.

It is worth noting that the pulley and cogwheel used by the baker of the time to carry sacks of grain up to the attic have been preserved. This place is now the Cultural Centre of Troyes and its unique and extremely well-preserved architecture makes it a must-see for visitors and locals alike.

Théâtre de la Madeleine

Another important place for the city’s culture is the 600-seat Théâtre de la Madeleine, unique for its magnificent architecture and its raised decoration in red and gold, reminiscent of the famous Parisian theatres.

Its intimate configuration favours the proximity of the artist to his audience, one of the main characteristics of the ‘conventional stage’.

Hôtel de Vauluisant

The Hôtel de Vauluisant is one of the few stone buildings in the city of Troyes from the mid-16th century.

It takes its name from a house of refuge that belonged to the Cistercian abbey of Vauluisant, in the department of Yonne. The building has a rich façade typical of Renaissance architecture, with a decoration of pediments, cartouches, putti and garlands. Enlarged in the 17th and 18th centuries, the pavilion is flanked by two turrets, one of which houses a spiral staircase. The conical roofs are adorned with elegant pinnacles and surmounted by a sun and moon.

Purchased by the City in 1932 to create a Museum of Decorative Arts, it currently houses two: the Champenois Art Museum and the Hosiery Museum.

Le Coeur de Troyes

The Heart of Troyes is one of the city’s must-see places, a work created by Michèle and Thierry Kayo-Houel, an artist couple. Located near the quays of the old canal, it symbolically marks the heart of the city.

Made entirely of perforated metal, this incredible creation is composed of almost 200 pieces of stainless steel assembled together. It represents a heart, whose special effects will never cease to amaze spectators.

Indeed, as soon as night falls, this artificial heart blushes as people approach. During the summer it comes alive with jets of water, under which children do not hesitate to have fun. No doubt you will fall in love with this unusual sculpture, which has now become the symbol of the city.

Halles de Troyes

The only shopping centre in the city, the Halles de Troyes were built in 1874 to a design by Emile Bailly, chief architect, who was inspired by the work of Victor Baltard, forerunner of Les Halles in central Paris. The combination of different materials, such as wood, iron, cast iron and even glass, makes its structure and architecture atypical.

Completely renovated in 1987, Les Halles brings together some 35 traders every day offering local and seasonal products. On Saturdays, don’t miss the Grand Marché, with a wide selection of artisans and vendors from the region distributed both inside and outside the covered market: an ideal opportunity to stroll around and get the weekend off to a good start.