Discover Aube | A Visitor's Introduction to Aube

Why is Aube Worth a Visit?

Aube is worth visiting for its under-the-radar charm, cultural depth, and enchanting wine heritage. It contains key sites on the Champagne route—like Troyes, Bar-sur-Seine, and Les Riceys—without the hustle of more famous regions. Its peaceful forests, traditional villages, and shaded river banks make it perfect for leisurely exploration. Featuring Romanesque abbeys, timbered towns, and lakes ideal for outdoor adventure, Aube presents a delightful combination of heritage and nature in an easy-going setting.

Aube Highlights: Things to See and Do in Aube

Troyes Historic Centre

Troyes offers a beautifully preserved medieval core with narrow, cobbled lanes lined by brightly coloured half-timbered houses and Gothic churches. Highlights include the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Cathedral, its impressive stained glass, and the Musée d’Art Moderne with regional and international works.

Champagne Route Villages

Aube lies along the southern Champagne wine route. Visit Bar-sur-Seine for vineyard sun-lit hills, or Les Riceys—one of France’s designated “Grand Cru Villages”—for Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Many domaines open for tasting and exhibit centuries of winemaking tradition.

Abbey of Clairvaux

This 12th-century Cistercian abbey was once Europe’s largest monastic complex. Though much was dismantled after the Revolution, the restored gatehouse and museum remain and now include an active prison—one of few abbeys still partially used in modern times.

Bar-sur-Aube

Set on the banks of the Aube River, this regional town features charming streets, a medieval tower, Renaissance houses, and a lively Saturday market. The nearby “Lac d’Orient” is ideal for walking, kayaking, and observing birdlife.

Les Riceys and Grapevine Villages

Les Riceys boasts three separate Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) labels, a unique distinction in Champagne. Explore hillside vineyards, taste rare vintages, and visit traditional barrel cellars cut into chalk subsoil.

Nigloland

A family-friendly amusement park set in a forest near Bar-sur-Aube, Nigloland features rollercoasters, live shows, themed rides, water attractions, and playgrounds—ideal for a day out with children.

Clairvaux Forest

This vast wooded area offers trails for walking, cycling, and mushroom hunting. Aside from its abbey, the forest includes peaceful lakes and traditional inns ideal for stopping along scenic paths.

Romanesque Churches & Villages

Aube is dotted with exquisite Romanesque churches, such as Saint-Léger de Pougy and Saint-Jacques de Troyes. Many villages retain traditional façades, quiet lanes, and village squares begging to be explored.

Practical Advice for Visitors

Getting There

Aube is accessible via train to Troyes on lines from Paris (via Nogent-sur-Seine) and from Dijon or Beaune. A car is recommended for exploring countryside routes, wineries, and abbeys. The A5 motorway links Paris to Troyes and Bar-sur-Aube in under two hours.

Parking

Parking is available at railway stations, market squares, and visitor car parks in Troyes, Bar-sur-Aube, and Les Riceys. Village car parks are abundant and usually free outside peak weekends.

Dining

Aube offers hearty regional cuisine including coq au vin, mushroom dishes, and cheese from local farms. Small country inns (auberges) serve traditional set menus. Pair meals with local wines—Champagne or tranquilles from riceys or chardonnay.

Shopping

Markets in Troyes and Bar-sur-Aube offer fresh produce, regional charcuterie, and local crafts. Look for bottles of Champagne from family domaines, honey, herbal tisanes, and handmade pottery or textiles.

When to Visit

Late spring and early autumn are perfect, with vineyard greenery and pleasant walking weather. Harvest season in September brings wine tastings and local fairs. Summer is warm and ideal for lakeside swimming and village festivals; winter is quiet and atmospheric for heritage visits.

Local Events

Aube hosts Champagne village festivals during summer, celebrating harvest with tours and tastings. Troyes holds medieval fairs with jousts, artisan markets, and street theatre in July. In autumn, Clairvaux Forest mushrooms and game fairs bring rural life to the fore.

Exploring Beyond Aube

Aube makes an excellent base for exploring Burgundy vineyards to the south or reconnecting with medieval France in Auxerre and Vezelay. The Champagne region near Reims is accessible by train from Troyes. Eastward, visit the lakes of Parc Naturel Régional de la Forêt d’Orient.

Aube is a poetic fusion of countryside charm, medieval towns, and vineyard heritage. Whether you're strolling on cobbled lanes, savouring rare Champagne, or biking through forested terrain, this peaceful corner of France rewards curious travellers with beauty, history, and heartfelt warmth.