Articles
Car Hire Troyes
The Region and City ...
The region of Champagne is most famous of course for the sparkling wine which accounts for 20% of the total exports for the whole region. When Roman soldiers arrived in the region the local inhabitants were already growing grapes on the slopes. A favourite of Popes, Kings and Napoleon the drink was still with a slight sparkle until Dom Perignon perfected the blending. The vines cover around 130 acres but a global accumulation of stock as slowed the industry in the region.
Troyes is the former capital of the region of Champagne made famous through fairs and arts which brought commercial success. With beautiful half timbered houses, churches and mansions are found within the centre which some say is shaped like a Champagne cork.
Troyes is located 179 km (111 miles) east of Paris and 125 km (77 miles) south of Reims.
From the 10th century Troyes was under the control of the counts of Champagne who throughout their rule built churches and hospitals in the region. Thibaud II also founded the famous Champagne fairs which brought wealth and growth to the town. When the last countess Jeanne married Philippe le Bel in 1284 the region was brought into the Kingdom of France. The Treaty of Troyes was signed in the town, disinheriting the dauphin and proclaiming Henry V King upon the death of the mad French king Charles IV by his wife. With the town occupied by English and Burgundian troops it was left Joan of Arc to liberate the inhabitants in 1429.
Car Hire Highlights Include...
The medieval centre of Troyes is well worth a visit and is split into commercial (Bourg) and aristocratic / ecclesiastical (Cite) areas. Most of the building you will see are constructed after 1524 when most of town was destroyed by fire. The most expensive of mansions are visible due to their construction on stone - a resource that is very scarce in the region and thus extremely expensive at the time.
The city has two signposted tours of the city, guided tours are also available in the Summer months - check in at the tourist office for more details.
There are many museums to take in while in Troyes. Highlights include the Modern Art Museum (03 25 76 26 80) at Place St-Pierre and Musee de Vauluisant (03 25 73 05 85) at 4 rue de Vauluisant. This Renaissance mansion hosts two separate museums within it's walls.
If you want to get out of Troyes head 29 km (18 miles) south to Chaource. This village is the name of a famous creamy cheese but also boasts a beautiful market covered in ironwork and dating from the 19th century. You will also delight at fine examples of 15th century timber framed housing.
