Why just visit the vineyards of the Champagne region when you can stay in one! Stopover at Meurville at a small site owned by the Champagne producer Perron-Beauvineau. But before the champagne, a visit to the very picturesque city of Troyes.
“Troyes, the Magnificent” according to the tourist information. And it didn’t disappoint. We visited the Saint-Jean district with its remarkable half-timbered houses from the 16th century, the picturesque courtyard of the Mortier d’Or and the treasures of the Sainte-Madeleine church (12th-16th centuries).
Troyes had a population of 61,996 inhabitants in 2018. It is the center of the agglomeration community Troyes Champagne Métropole, which was home to 170,145 inhabitants.
Troyes developed as early as the Roman era, when it was known as Augustobona Tricassium. It stood at the hub of numerous highways, primarily the Via Agrippa. The city has a rich historical past, from the Tricasses tribe to the liberation of the city on 25 August 1944 during the Second World War, including the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, the Council of Troyes, the marriage of Henry V and Catherine of France, and the Champagne fairs to which merchants came from all over Christendom.
The city has a rich architectural and urban heritage: many buildings are protected as historical monuments, including the half-timbered houses (mainly of the 16th century) that survived in the old town. They have contributed to Troyes being designated as a City of Art and History.
One the way back we passed the Stade de l’Aube, the main football stadium in the city. Home of the Troyes’ professional football club, ES Troyes AC.
Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne, commonly known as Troyes, is a French football club, who play in Ligue 2, the second level of France’s football league system
And so to our evening. Champagne tasting courtesy of Perron-Beauvineau. An excellent, information packed visit to the distillery and, of course, the obligatory tasting.
It was a joy to meet the family and so nice to cool off in their wine cave! Couldn’t resist buying a few bottles from this family run maker, right in the heart of the champagne region. A perfect end to a day full of history and discovery.
The Brindley Boxer 