Dawn

Aube: Fasthôtel welcomes you to Champagne

Fasthôtel welcomes you to the Aube, a department in the Grand Est region, in the heart of historic Champagne and its wine country. Whether for business trips, cultural weekends, or nature holidays, enjoy the quality of our affordable hotels in this region with its exceptional heritage!

Our hotels in the Aube : ideally located to discover Troyes, the medieval capital, the Champagne vineyards and the Forêt d'Orient Regional Natural Park.

Aube: Champagne region at the gates of Paris

The Aube department covers 6,004 km² and has 310,000 inhabitants. Troyes (65,000 inhabitants), the department's prefecture, is the former capital of the County of Champagne, renowned for its medieval historic center and exceptional stained glass heritage.

Located 150 km from Paris (1 hour 30 minutes by car or train), the department benefits from a strategic position at the crossroads of major European routes, between Paris, Dijon, Reims and Nancy.

The Aube takes its name from the river that crosses it from east to west before joining the Seine. The department is characterized by the diversity of its landscapes: the vineyard slopes of the Côte des Bar, the valleys of the Seine and the Aube, the wooded plateaus of the Pays d'Othe and the Armance, and the vast expanses of the Forêt d'Orient Regional Natural Park.

Economy: textiles, Champagne and industry

The economy of Aube has historically been based on the textile and hosiery industry . Troyes was a major center of textile production from the Middle Ages onwards, a tradition which continues with the establishment of major French brands: Lacoste (founded in 1933), Petit Bateau , Absorba , Devanlay (historical manufacturer of Lacoste polo shirts).

This textile tradition gave rise to the factory outlet phenomenon , making Troyes the European capital of factory outlets with nearly 200 brand stores offering permanent discounts.

Champagne viticulture is the second economic pillar of the department. With 7,500 hectares of vineyards , the Aube represents 22% of the Champagne appellation area . The Côte des Bar, the southern vineyard of Champagne, produces characterful Champagnes renowned for their typicity.

The Aube region also hosts agri-food industries (cured meats, cheese), metallurgy, wood processing and service activities related to tourism and commerce.

Troyes: the historic capital of Champagne

Troyes , the prefecture of Aube, is a City of Art and History with a remarkable architectural heritage. Its historic center, shaped like a "champagne cork" (when viewed from the sky), preserves nearly 3,000 half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, one of the finest medieval ensembles in France.

The city owes its prosperity to the famous Champagne Fairs which, from the 11th to the 14th century, attracted merchants and bankers from all over Europe. Troyes was then a major commercial crossroads between the Mediterranean and Flanders, fostering the exchange of goods but also of ideas, arts and techniques.

Troyes' religious heritage includes ten churches listed as Historical Monuments , including the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul , a Gothic masterpiece with 1 m² of stained glass windows, the Church of Saint Madeleine and its Renaissance stone lacework rood screen, and the Church of Saint Urbain built in the 500th century by Pope Urban IV, a native of Troyes.

Troyes' museums enrich the cultural offering: the Museum of Modern Art (Pierre and Denise Lévy collection), the Maison de l'Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière (MOPO) with its 11,000 antique tools, the Musée Saint-Loup (archaeology, fine arts, natural history) and the Musée Camille Claudel in Nogent-sur-Seine dedicated to the famous sculptress.

Aube, European Capital of Stained Glass

The Aube region preserves 9,000 m² of stained glass windows dating from before the French Revolution , representing half of the stained glass windows in France , earning it the title of "European Capital of Stained Glass".

From the 13th to the 19th century, the workshops of master glassmakers in Troyes, such as Linard Gonthier, were renowned throughout Europe. Their works adorn the churches of the department, creating exceptional stained-glass ensembles that illustrate the evolution of this art over six centuries.

The Cité du Vitrail , housed in the former Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte in Troyes, is a unique 3,000 m² interpretation center showcasing the history, techniques, and masterpieces of Champagne glass art. Stained glass windows are displayed at eye level, allowing visitors to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship and the intensity of the colors.

The Stained Glass Route runs through the department and invites you to discover this luminous heritage in nearly 200 churches, from modest village chapels to grand cathedrals.

The Champagne vineyards of the Aube: the Côte des Bar

The Aube region is home to the Côte des Bar vineyards , a southern wine-growing area of ​​Champagne stretching 220 km across hills and valleys. This Kimmeridgian clay-limestone terroir (the same soil as in Chablis) gives Aube champagnes a distinctive personality, wines of character renowned for their aromatic intensity.

The Champagne Tourist Route passes through some thirty wine-growing villages with Burgundy stone houses: Bar-sur-Aube, Bar-sur-Seine, Essoyes (Renoir's village), Les Riceys (the only commune in Champagne with three AOCs: Champagne, Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys), Mussy-sur-Seine.

Champagne winegrowers open their vaulted cellars for tours and tastings. Both négociant houses and independent winemakers perpetuate centuries-old expertise while respecting Champagne traditions.

The vineyard landscape is dotted with cadoles , small 19th-century dry-stone huts that served as shelters for the winegrowers. These typical huts constitute a unique architectural heritage, bearing witness to the winegrowing life of yesteryear. Walking trails allow visitors to discover them in the heart of the vineyards.

The Forêt d'Orient Regional Natural Park

East of Troyes, the Forêt d'Orient Regional Natural Park covers 70,000 hectares, created in 1970 to protect an exceptional natural area combining forests and lakes.

Three large artificial lakes created between 1960 and 1990 as Seine River regulation basins:

Lake Orient (2,300 hectares): equipped beaches, supervised swimming in summer, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, pedal boats

Lake Temple (1,800 hectares): an internationally important bird sanctuary with over 200 species of migratory birds observable from specially designed observation points.

Lake Amance (500 hectares): motorized water sports (jet skiing, water skiing)

The 20,000 hectares of forests (oaks, beeches, hornbeams) offer a privileged playground for hiking (400 km of marked trails), mountain biking, horse riding, wildlife observation (deer, wild boars, roe deer, foxes).

The Lakes Cycle Route (42 km) connects Troyes to the natural park via a cycle path along the Seine and then the lakes, accessible to all levels.

The Ecomuseum of the Orient Forest in Brienne-la-Vieille showcases the natural heritage and local traditions. The Park House in Piney offers educational activities and guided nature tours.

Historical heritage: castles, abbeys and Templars

The Aube region boasts nearly 300 castles, motte-and-bailey castles, and manor houses . The Route des Châteaux (Castle Route ) crosses the department and allows visitors to discover more than 30 remarkable buildings, dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

Among the major sites:

Clairvaux Abbey , founded in 1115 by Saint Bernard , enjoyed considerable spiritual and intellectual influence throughout medieval Europe. The mother abbey of the Cistercian order had over 350 daughter abbeys across the continent. Transformed into a prison by Napoleon after the French Revolution, it is now open to the public and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large 18th-century cloister, the chapel, and the former monastic buildings bear witness to its past grandeur.

The Commandery of Avalleur in Ville-sous-la-Ferté is one of the few surviving architectural examples from the Templar era in France. The Aube region is closely linked to the history of the Templars : Hugues de Payns , founder of the Order of the Temple in 1129, was born in the village of Payns near Troyes. The Council of Troyes (1129), held in the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, officially recognized the religious and military order.

The Château de Brienne-le-Château housed the military school where the young Napoleon Bonaparte studied from 1779 to 1784. The town retains the Napoleonic imprint and a museum dedicated to the Emperor.

Gastronomy from the Aube region and specialties from the Champagne region

The gastronomy of the Aube region showcases local produce and artisanal specialties:

Troyes AAAAA (5A) andouillette , a 100% pure pork charcuterie specialty made from chitterlings and stomachs cut into strips, seasoned, and slow-cooked. Recognized by the Association Amicale des Amateurs d'Andouillette Authentique (Friendly Association of Authentic Andouillette Lovers), it is best enjoyed grilled with a mustard-shallot-cream sauce.

Chaource , a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) soft, bloomy-rind cow's milk cheese, is produced in the Pays d'Othe region. Its creamy texture and delicate flavor make it a must-have on Champagne cheese platters.

Champagne sauerkraut , a local specialty accompanied by regional charcuterie and washed down with champagne or riesling.

The pink biscuits of Reims produced by the Fossier company (founded in 1756) and the croquignoles , small traditional dry biscuits to be dipped in champagne.

The Aube lamb , raised in the meadows of the department, is renowned for the quality of its tender and tasty meat.

Illustrious personalities of the Dawn

The Aube region has been the birthplace or home to great historical figures:

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), the Impressionist painter, spent the last years of his life in Essoyes , the birthplace of his wife, Aline Charigot. The Espace Renoir retraces the master's life and displays reproductions of his works inspired by the Champagne countryside.

Camille Claudel (1864-1943), a sculptor of genius, spent part of her childhood in Villeneuve-sur-Fère and then in Nogent-sur-Seine . The Camille Claudel Museum , opened in 2017, pays tribute to her with a collection of national importance.

Rashi (1040-1105), a great commentator on the Bible and the Talmud, lived and taught in Troyes. The Rashi House houses a synagogue and exhibition spaces dedicated to Jewish culture.

Chrétien de Troyes (12th century), poet and writer considered the father of the courtly and Arthurian romance, author of "Perceval or the Story of the Grail" and "Lancelot or the Knight of the Cart".

Urban IV (1195-1264), pope from 1261 to 1264, a native of Troyes, had the Saint-Urbain church built, a Gothic masterpiece.

Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962), philosopher and epistemologist, was born in Bar-sur-Aube.

Pays d'Othe and Pays d'Armance

The Pays d'Othe , in the northwest of the department, is characterized by its wooded hills, verdant valleys, and preserved heritage. The half-timbered churches, typical of this region, house exceptional 16th-century statuary : polychrome statues of saints, Virgins and Child, and calvaries sculpted by artists of the Troyes School.

The Pays d'Armance , to the east, offers rolling landscapes dotted with peaceful villages, deep forests, and grazing pastures. The Armance River meanders through fields and woods, creating bucolic scenery ideal for hiking and fishing.

These rural areas embody the authenticity of Champagne with their traditional farms, their cheese production (Chaource), their orchards and their preserved way of life.

Notable sites of the Aube

Bar-sur-Aube : a former fortified town on the Champagne Route, it preserves a 12th-century Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre, a medieval market hall, and half-timbered houses. It is the starting point for exploring the wines of the Côte des Bar.

Bar-sur-Seine : a medieval town dominated by its fortified castle, gateway to the southern Champagne vineyards. The Church of Saint-Étienne houses beautiful Renaissance stained glass windows.

Les Riceys : the only town in Champagne with three AOCs (Champagne, Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys), listed among the Most Beautiful Detours in France. Three Renaissance churches and preserved winegrowers' architecture.

Bayel : crystal village home to the Crystal Museum located on the site of the former royal crystal factory founded in 1666. Glassblowing demonstrations and exhibitions of exceptional pieces.

Chaource : the village that gave its name to the famous PDO cheese. Visit artisanal cheese dairies and the renowned weekly market.

Nigloland in Dolancourt: a family amusement park offering more than 40 attractions in a wooded setting of 55 hectares, one of the most frequented parks in the Grand Est region.

Outdoor activities and tourist routes

The Aube region offers numerous marked discovery trails:

Champagne Tourist Route (220 km): through the vineyards of the Côte des Bar
Stained Glass Route : circuit of churches with remarkable stained glass windows
Castles Route : discovery of the castle heritage
Lakes Cycle Route (42 km): Troyes - Forêt d'Orient cycle path
Route des Cadoles : walking trails through the vineyards
Hiking trails : more than 1,000 km of marked trails (GR 2, GR 24, GR 714)
Nautical sports On the lakes: sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing
Nature activities Mountain biking, horse riding, golf (Golf de la Forêt d'Orient), treetop adventure courses, birdwatching

Access and location of the Aube

Aube benefits from excellent accessibility from Paris and major metropolitan areas:

Paris : 150 km (1h30 by A5 or train)
Dijon : 150 km (1 hour 45 minutes via the A5)
Reims : 120 km (1 hour 15 minutes via the A26)
Nancy : 200 km (2 hour)
Luxembourg : 250 km (2h30)

Motorways : A5 (Paris-Troyes-Dijon), A26 (Reims-Troyes), N19 (towards Alsace)

Troyes SNCF train station : direct TER trains to Paris-Est, Dijon, Mulhouse, Basel

Nearby airports : Paris-Charles de Gaulle (130 km), Paris-Orly (150 km)

Fasthôtel in the Aube allows you to discover this multifaceted department, between the medieval heritage of Troyes, the Champagne vineyards, the preserved nature of the Forêt d'Orient and artisanal traditions, in the heart of historic Champagne.