Troyes: The Champagne Cork City

3,000 half-timbered medieval houses. The city map is literally shaped like a champagne cork. Ruelle des Chats (Cat's Alley) where houses lean toward each other and almost touch. The medieval passages, the Renaissance churches, the craft workshops. Champagne money built this civilization.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Walk the Champagne Cork Adventure · Free

   The entire old town center is shaped exactly like a champagne cork when viewed from above. Get a map from the tourism office showing the cork shape and follow the outline - it's not visible from ground level, only from above or on maps.

   Backup: Pull up Google Maps satellite view on your phone to see it.

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2. 2 Find Ruelle des Chats (Cat's Alley) Adventure · Free

   The narrowest alley in Troyes sits near Place Alexandre Israël in the old town - the upper floors of houses lean toward each other and almost touch. Cats could (theoretically) jump between buildings. Hence the name. Ask at tourism office for exact location and photograph looking up - the houses nearly kiss at the top.

   Backup: Several alleys are narrow - but Ruelle des Chats is the most famous. Signs mark it.

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3. 3 Count Half-Timbered Houses History · Free

   3,000 half-timbered houses survive throughout the old town - Rue Émile Zola, Rue Champaux, Place du Marché. They're everywhere. Look for the exposed wooden beams, the plaster between, the carvings on corner posts. Walk slowly and notice that many houses have dates carved into beams, with the oldest dating to the 15th century.

   Backup: The tourism office has a map marking the most significant houses.

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4. 4 Enter a Medieval Church History · Free · Optional

   The cathedral has remarkable stained glass while Sainte-Madeleine has the only stone rood screen in Champagne. Both Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul and Église Sainte-Madeleine are free to enter - Sainte-Madeleine is smaller and more intimate, the cathedral is grander.

   Backup: If both are closed, the exteriors are impressive. Try early morning or late afternoon.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• The cork shape is only visible from above - check Google Maps satellite view

• Ruelle des Chats is the most photographed spot - go early or late

• Tourism office in the old town has excellent walking maps

• Sunday morning is quiet - most shops closed but fewer tourists

• The covered passages (galeries) are good in rain

• Factory outlet shops are on the outskirts - not in the medieval center