The departement of Aube is located in the Champagne region of northern France. Most famous for their impressive collections of stained glass, the towns and churches of the Aube region are among some of the most decorated in all of France. There are also several vineyards dedicated to the production of champagne which make the area popular with tourists. Outdoor sports enthusiasts are well catered for with centres dedicated to cycling, water sports and a network of walking trails.
The main Aube city of Troyes is the stained glass centre of the region, with ten churches for visitors to make their way round. Each has its own appeal, including the cathedral of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul with its astonishing 1,500 square metres of stained glass windows and decorations, dating from the 13th all the way through to the 18th centuries. However, Troyes isn't just about churches and stained glass, as the pleasant old town is home to several museums on subjects as diverse as hosiery and fine art! Even just walking around the medieval streets, with their half-timbered houses, is recommended; and there are plenty of souvenir shops where you can buy local produce, including, of course, locally-made champagne.
There is a Champagne Trail that tourists can follow through Aube and the rest of the Champagne region, visiting not only some of the famous vineyards, but also towns that have been important in the history and development of the drink. Not only do you get the chance to try some of the delicious beverage while on tours of the caves, but the landscape, with its fields full of vines, is like no other in France. For those who prefer their history less alcoholic, there is another tourist trail in the region that you can follow; in the footsteps of the famous impressionist painter Renoir, who spent some time in the Aube town of Essoyes.
There are several centres where visitors can take part in outdoor activities, or just enjoy the Aube scenery. The Orient Forest Regional Park has dozens of walking trails and is particularly popular with bird lovers, while three nearby lakes are all devoted to different varieties of water sports. The largest of the three, the Orient lake, is used for sailing and swimming, while Temple Lake is set aside for canoeing and fishing only. Finally, the smallest of the lakes, Amance, is only used for speedboats and water-skiing.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Aube? Then below is a selection of gites in Aube and villas in Aube that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
