A sparkling and gastronomic break – Aube

Located just an hour and half from Paris, look no further than Aube en  Champagne for a relaxing break. At the start of the Champagne Route the  medieval city of Troyes is full of charm…

Aube en Champagne – For a sparkling and gastronomic breakLocated just an hour and half from Paris, look no further than Aube en Champagne for a relaxing break. At the start of the Champagne Route the medieval city of Troyes is full of charm. With its cobbled streets, coloured timber-framed houses, eight churches and cathedral, it’s the ideal base for a trip around the region. Here, you can enjoy the taste of the famous Troyes AAAAA andouillette sausage, Chaource’s local cheeses, Mussy or Ervy, and the famous Riceys Ros� wine.You will also discover gastronomic cuisine in local restaurants, wonderful landscapes in the Champagne area and friendly wine-growers who will welcome you into their cellars and explain the secrets of their sparkling wine. Enjoy the best champagne vintages and take the opportunity to explore the medieval city of Troyes, with its charming and authentic architecture, including half-timbered houses, a gothic cathedral and fascinating churches. Finally, do not forget to take a few local specialities back home with you, as well as some bargains from the region’s factory outlets…The city itself is shaped like a Champagne cork and that is highly significant… Come and enjoy a sparkling holiday in Champagne and meet our wine growers who will be delighted to welcome you to their cellars and let you taste their champagnes.This unique area with its Made in France charm is Aube en Champagne.To do and see:Cultural breaks* The city of Troyes and its museums, its churches, its timber-framed houses, its private courtyards, its cathedral, its wonderful little restaurants. Troyes – a medieval jewel. This historic town, over-flowing with artistic treasures, has lost nothing of its past. An architectural and artistic treat awaits you… the tiny, cobbled streets and typical timber-framed houses are just delightful. The town also has nine churches, a cathedral and a basilica, which boasts several 16th-century sculptures. This d�partement is the richest in France in terms of the abundance and quality of stained-glass windows, and the exhibition represents a real tribute to stained-glass window artists and their expertise. Troyes also plays host to several museums… Visit the “apothicairerie de l’H�tel-Dieu” (the general hospital apothecary), a chemist as it would have been at the beginning of the 18th century and its exceptional collection of 320 apothecary pots in painted wood and 240 earthenware containers. And hidden away down a little back street is the charming Maison de l’Outil (tools museum), which is unique in France. This museum is located in a superb 16th-century house, and is the biggest of its type in the world, with nearly 8,000 17th and 18th century items, selected for their beauty and rarity. It is quite simply unique! * Villenauxe la Grande is located south of Epernay and has a famous champagne vineyard with white chardonnay grapes. At the beginning of the 19th century, Villenauxe had 300 wine-growers. The village now also has a contemporary masterpiece in its church. The 15th-century church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul has been recently fitted with stained-glass windows created by the internationally renowned British artist David Tremlett. David Tremlett’s extensive biography also includes numerous exhibitions in Paris, Amsterdam, New York and London. His work has been the most significant achievement in the field of glasswork for 20 years in France. After visiting a Champagne cellar and the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, how about a walk through the vines and forests? www.tourisme-nogentais.fr * Renoir’s Workshop: Discover the artist’s workshop. Married to a daughter of Essoyes, the famous artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir drew part of his inspiration from this region. His workshop is the place where he was able to give free reign to his art. Renoir, his wife and sons are buried in the village cemetery, the spot being marked by some pretty bronzes.* Timber-framed churches One of the most unique aspects of France’s heritage can be found nestling amidst the large lakes of the Orient forest. Enjoy a trip around the timber-framed church circuit, a unique architectural treasure dating back to between the 15th and 18th century. These timber-framed churches are intimate, light, endearing and majestic, and will overwhelm you with their original beauty and the way they are perfectly integrated into the region’s traditional architecture. The fascinating churches’ brochure can be downloaded at www.aube-champagne.co.ukShopping breaks * The Factory Shops: Well-known for its long tradition of textiles over many centuries, these days Troyes offers tourists a wide range of major brands at remarkable prices in over 200 shops. It has three major factory shop centres. It’s a good opportunity for you to snap up some bargains for the whole family!It was in Troyes that the concept of factory outlets, now much copied but never equalled, was originally born. The town is the biggest European centre of this kind. Part of its reputation today is owed to this type of commercial tourism, which it invented. Each year, more than two million visitors, from every different walk of life, stream into Troyes to shop in these modern day Aladdin’s caves, where the biggest brands happily offer discounts of as much as 30 to 50 per cent on stock in relation to traditional stores.These prices beat all the competition for quality products of all sizes, and during the sales, the prices are cut even further… So don’t miss your shopping weekend during the January winter sales.* The Champagne Tourist Route: 220 km of ChampagneOn the Champagne Tourist Route, there are plenty of winegrowers ready to welcome you. Some of them (29 cellars) have the “point d’accueil” welcome point label awarded by a panel of tourist and wine professionals. For visitors, this is the guarantee of a quality welcome: quality facilities and quality explanations.* Tours of recognised cellars: Winegrowers offer tours of their establishments and explain the art of champagne vineyards and vines. After a visit to the cellars, you can find out the secrets of how champagne is made (pressing, fermenting, blending, bottling, disgorging, dosing and labelling). Champagne tasting at the end of the visit.Breaks on the Champagne Tourist Route * The Champagne Tourist Route Here, in southern Champagne, there are no huge champagne corporations, just small family businesses…i.e. wine-growers from one generation to the next… Meander at your own pace along the Route Touristique du Champagne’ (Champagne tourist route). There is certainly no shortage of wine-makers who will be delighted to make you welcome on their property. Some of them even bear the “point d’accueil” label (a label based on the quality of welcome for visitors) awarded by a jury of wine-making and tourism professionals. This offers a guarantee of quality for visitors with regard to the property’s installations and the explanations provided. * A rare product for an exceptional weekend The Riceys ros� is both tender and delicate, and lingers on the palate. It is vigorous and has a subtle fragrance of berries and violets, and, thanks to its rare and unique taste, can be considered as one of the best ros�s in France, if not the best. Up to you to be the judge… Discover the producers of this rare wine and enjoy all its different aromas.* The “cadoles”: Through the vineyards and for lovers of short walks, it is possible to go out looking for “cadoles”. These small stone shelters, which were used by vine dressers, have been magnificently restored and exploring them enables visitors to appreciate the magnificent countryside.Leisure* Park and lakes: Just a few kilometres from Troyes, the Orient Forest Natural Park with its lakes are a delight for lovers of water based leisure activities and wildlife enthusiasts. A spot that lends itself to a multitude of activities: walking, cycling and horse riding along numerous paths; picking mushrooms, a cycle track …* Nigloland: A family amusement park that is dynamic and enterprising in a magnificent natural setting. You will enjoy the many attractions like the mine train, haunted manor, the niglo show and the Space experience!!Enjoy a break in Champagne and discover our ideas for holidays in Champagne. Internet link: www.escapades-en-champagne.com More information on Aube en Champagne can be found atwww.aube-champagne.com Or request one of our free brochures by telephone on 0033 (0) 325 425 000