A Day Trip to Troyes

June 20, 2018
|
France
|
0 Comments

Ok, I’m going to make this quick because it is just a day trip, but a day trip to Troyes is worth taking. Troyes has been in existence since the Roman era, as it was a central stop on their system of highways. The town continued to be an important part of cross-Europe trade routes through the medieval times. In the 1500s, a fire destroyed much of the city. Troyes was subsequently rebuilt and is now known for its abundance of 16^th century half-timbered architecture.

Honestly, this town is so charming and architecturally interesting, that if all you do is wander around the narrow streets, I still think it’s worth the trip. We were lucky enough to spend a day in Troyes, and this is what we did:

Getting there

As I mentioned in my Champagne post, we were doing a little road trip through France. Having a rental car made Troyes an easy day trip as it’s only about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Reims.

If you do not have access to a car, the train is nearly as easy. The train from the East Railway Station in Paris to the Central Station in Troyes (Gare de Troyes) takes about 1 ½ hours. Alternatively, you can take the train from Reims. Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct train, so the trip is a bit longer taking 2 ½ to 3 hours.

Things to Do

Troyes is also known for its 10+ churches. The most lovely of these churches are definitely worth a visit:

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul (Troyes Cathedral)
Eglise Sainte-Madeleine
Basilique Saint-Urbain

If a Museum is more your thing, the top choice is the Musée d’Art Moderne, which showcases a mix of modern art from around Europe.

This town is so charming that aimlessly wandering around is a delightful way to spend the day. After taking some time to explore the old alleyways with their maze of timbered homes, we found ourselves walking through the Square of Liberation and experiencing the modern side of Troyes.

Where to Eat

My favorite way to eat lunch while traveling is to head to a market and pick up some artisanal snacks for a picnic in a park. We stopped by Des Halles Market and loaded up on local cheese, bread, fruits and cherry tomatoes. We ate our bounty in a park overlooking the cathedral.

After a snack in the park, you can head over to a prize winning chocolaterie patisserie for a little dessert. One of the best parts about traveling in France is abundance of delicious sweets! I personally love the eclairs. Oh, and it’s probably a good idea to have a few extras packed for the road trip home…

A day trip to Troyes is really a relaxing way to spend the day. The town is big enough to be interesting, but not overwhelming in any way. Which is why, you should definitely make it a stop on your itinerary!

It’s really helpful to know your bubbly when planning a trip to Champagne!

Wedding invites can be a great opportunity for an adventure – see how this one got started

Thinking of exploring Europe by train – check out my train journey from Paris to Vienna