Here, in the Aube, the heritage is dense, rich and well-stocked. The area is full of tourist nuggets, and aesthetics mingle with the picturesque. Did you know that some villages in Aube have joined the national network of Petites Cités de Caractère ® in the Aube?
The concept of Petites Cités de Caractère ® has existed since 1975 and, to date, includes 24 municipalities in the Grand Est. Joining this network means participating in the preservation, animation and promotion of the remarkable heritage of your village. It means maintaining it, restoring it and enhancing it, both for the inhabitants and for the many visitors. It means maintaining it, restoring it and enhancing it, both for the inhabitants and for the many visitors. Petites Cités de Caractère®.
Let’s end this unbearable suspense. Here, for you, is a presentation of these 3 Petites Cités de Caractère® of the Aube!
Ervy-le-Châtel, Petite Cité de Caractère® in the Aube with a rich historical past
The charming village of Ervy-le-Châtel is situated on a plateau, above a green valley where the river Armance flows. Thanks to its historical past, the city has been able to pass through the ages while preserving the remains of its history. Its circular timber-framed hall from the 19thcentury, the mediaeval gate of Saint-Nicolas (sole remaining part of the fortified château) andthe Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens (with its sumptuous stained-glass windows and statuary) bear witness to Ervy-le-Châtel’s past and have stood the test of time.
The village of Ervy-le-Châtel has now been awarded the “Petites Cités de Caractère®” (Small Towns with Character) label and has many more modern tourist attractions, such as theMaison du Vitrail d’Armance which celebrates the art of stained glass and stained glass canopies. Gastronomy is not left out, as you can taste, on the spot, some Chaourceand Ervy cheeses or the tasty ciders of the Pays d’Othe!
Mussy-sur-Seine, Petite Cité de Caractère ® de l’Aube aux mille visages
The word ‘picturesque’ might have been coined after exploring the more than atypical village ofMussy-sur-Seine. Situated at the gateway to Champagne and Burgundy, crossed by the Seine, this city has shaped itself according to the eras it has passed through. Sometimes Gallo-Roman village, then mediaeval town, it is now a tourist town nestled in a green setting and proud of its historical past.
The town centre has a multitude of small cobbled streets leading to the famous and very imposing Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens, dating back to the 13th century. century. All around Mussy-sur-Seine are the ramparts surround Mussy-sur-Seine. siècle. Other witnesses to its past, such as the Glacière des évèques (the Bishops’ cooler, a majestic stone cylinder of 7 metres in diameter) and the salt cellar are still in excellent condition and can be visited.
The village of Mussy-sur-Seine has becomea Petit Cités de Caractère®and participates in the economic development of the region by promoting and animating its heritage, starting by offering visitors tastings of the famous Côte des Bar champagne!
The village of Les Riceys
Formed by three villages, the village has three renaissance churches, formerly linked to three different bishoprics in Champagne and Burgundy. These three villages lie peacefully in the heart of the Laigne wine valley. The river offers pleasant walks. It is also well known for its wealth of fish, especially trout, which delight fly-fishing enthusiasts. It is good to stroll through the maze of narrow streets lined with winegrowers’ houses with their Cistercian architecture. The village is the only one (in the world!) to have 3 AOC wines: Champagne, Rosé des Riceys and Coteaux Champenois. This characteristic, as well as the rich heritage of this village on the Côte des Bar (Les Riceys holds the European record for the number of listed monuments in relation to the number of inhabitants), has enabled it to be awarded the “Site Remarquable du Goût” label.
Don’t wait any longer. Come and discover the village of Les Riceys and its surroundings for a weekend. Between the remarkable stained glass windows of the Saint Pierre-ès-Liens church, the Château de Taisne, its charming gardens hidden behind dry stone walls, the meeting with the wine growers and the tasting of Champagne or Rosé de Riceys, Louis XIV’s favourite wine… you will not be disappointed by the trip.
In the Côte des Bar, discover also Bar-sur-Seine, which is in the process of being approved as Petites Cités de Caractère ®of the Aube
Crossed by the famous river, the picturesque village of Bar-sur-Seine is known for the excellent conservation of its monuments : its Renaissance House, its St. Étienne Church, its Clock Tower (and its breathtaking panorama), the Commandery of Avalleur and its old chapel dating from the period of the Templars, and its cadoles lining the Croc-Ferrand promenade are all remmants of its history.
At the gateway to the vineyards of the flamboyant Côte des Bar, Bar-sur-Seine offers a number of tourist must-see attractions, such as the famous Champagne houses (Manoir Devaux or Domaine de la Borderie) producing this golden, sparkling drink that the whole of the Aube region loves!
Currently in the process of receiving thePetites Cités de Caractère® label, Bar-sur-Seine combines aestheticism (thanks in particular to its colourful half-timbered houses), charm and originality.
On the road to Pierre-Auguste Renoir in Essoyes
At the heart of a natural landscape of forests, vineyards and fields lies the charming village of Essoyesin the Aube region. Crossed by the Ource river, this town is mainly known for having been one of the homes of the famous impressionist painter Auguste Renoir:his house and studio, which can be visited, are one of the village’s main attractions.
Numerous activities have been developed around the presence of Renoir in Essoyes: an art workshop, hiking trails and life-size treasure hunts are available to the public. Essoyes, Petites Cités de Caractère®,which is in the process of being approved, also offers visits to Champagne cellars and houses, because let’s not forget that we are in the Aube region, after all!
Discover Bar-sur-Aube, a wine town with carefully preserved heritage
Set between vineyards, rolling hills and a river, Bar-sur-Aube stands out as a town of character in the heart of the Côte des Bar.
From as early as the 12th century, the town experienced significant growth, driven by the influence of the nearby Abbey of Clairvaux and the vitality of the great Champagne fairs. This prosperous past has left many traces. Saint-Peter’s Church, with its remarkable wooden gallery (halloy), recalls a time when merchants and pilgrims brought the town to life. Another jewel of local heritage, Saint-Maclou Church, an emblematic monument in the town centre, impresses with its elegance and slender silhouette.
Today, Bar-sur-Aube is still best explored on foot, wandering through old streets, half-timbered houses and along the gentle river that flows through the town. The Paume Trail offers a playful and refreshing way to discover the town.
Nogent-sur-Seine, a bucolic town on the banks of the Seine
Located in the western part of Aube, Nogent-sur-Seine has joined the network of Petites Cités de Caractère thanks to the richness of its heritage and its distinctive atmosphere, shaped by the river and its remarkable architecture.
On the edge of the Île-de-France region, Nogent-sur-Seine stands out for its harmonious blend of nature, history and the arts. Crossed by the Seine, the town invites visitors to stroll along the riverbanks and around former industrial mills. Its historic centre, lined with elegant bourgeois houses, reflects a once-prosperous past.
A town of artistic awakening, Nogent-sur-Seine long served as a place of residence and training for sculptors. It was here that Camille Claudel discovered sculpture, developing her passion alongside Alfred Boucher. This artistic legacy is now showcased at the Camille Claudel Museum, a contemporary space highlighting the artist’s early years and sources of inspiration.
The town’s religious heritage is also noteworthy, particularly Saint-Laurent Church, whose Gothic architecture is enhanced by contemporary stained-glass windows created by artist Fabienne Verdier.
