The best cycling routes around Saint-Julien-Les-Villas

and the garden is also worth a stop. Many plants are very well labeled.

The 12th century Hôtel de Ville is located in the heart of the historic district of Troyes and was built by Pierre Cottard. The building is built in the style of Louis XIII and the façade with the statue of a "helmeted Minerva" has been listed as a monument historique since 1932.

In 1482, King Louis XII agreed to entrust the management of the city of Troyes to a mayor, assisted by aldermen. These functions were carried out by magistrates or merchants, usually on a voluntary basis. The first mayor of Troyes was Edmond Le Boucherat. Before him, an advisory council sat occasionally in various places in the heart of the city, such as the chapter of Saint-Pierre or the former convent of Cordeliers. In 1479, the council moved out of this aristocratic district to live permanently in the "corps du bouchon" and rented a house near the church of Saint-Urbain, then known as the Chambre de l'Échevinage, which was equipped with a bell to call meetings. In 1494, the city council bought the Hôtel de Mesgrigny, a large building from the 15th century, and in the 17th century decided to build a new city hall. Louis XIII gave permission to use a small part of the income from the tax on wine and salt. The building was therefore built gradually and was not finished until around 1672. In 1933 and 1937, two wings were added to the back by the architect F. Balley. The central facade, with its blue Tournai marble columns, has a niche with a helmeted Minerva, replacing a statue of Louis XIV that was destroyed during the French Revolution. On the monumental mantelpiece in the council chamber, there is still a large wooden medallion with the effigy of this king, sculpted in 1687 by the Trojan François Girardon (1628-1715). Another memorable trace of the Revolution on the facade is the revolutionary motto that was displayed on all French town halls at the time: "Unité, Indivisibilité de la République, Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité ou la Mort" ("Unity, Indivisibility of the Republic, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity or Death").

"Wait for me" - Between Rue de la Cité and Rue Clemenceau This humorous and poetic work by the same sculptor as "La Ribambelle joyeuse", the Belgian artist Tom Frantzen, known for his creations that cross the line between the real and the fantastic, was installed on the old swing bridge at the end of 2018 and shows a small dog scaring a group of birds, causing them to fly away. The group is reminiscent of the cranes that fly over the Aube department every year. The artist has worked in harmony with the site, so that the movement fits in and adds lightness to these heavy bronze sculptures.

Troyer is famous for its half-timbered houses. Some of these houses are incredibly crooked. You have to see them! A feast for the eyes!

Rond point du vouldy

Relaxing stroll along the canal

Very pretty old center of Troyes