I was born and raised in Troyes, so what could hit closer to home than telling you all the best things to do in Troyes, France today?
If you’re planning to spend a day in Troyes, there are lots of cute streets, cafes and restaurants you can visit to spice up your day.
From cool museums and art galleries to gorgeous street art, you’ll learn all there is to know about the beautiful medieval town in this guide!
Exploring Troyes, France’s Gorgeous Medieval Town – What to See, What to Eat, What to Do
Granted, Troyes is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in France.
When you grow up there, it can become quite tricky to find new things to do there, although there are lots of cool shops in Troyes you can visit to bring some souvenirs back home.
There are a handful of makeup shops in Troyes that I love and personally visit every time I go back home, and I do have my favorite bakeries and coffee shops too.
By the time you’re done, you should know all the cool things you can do, see and buy in Troyes – so keep reading!
Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Get Breakfast at Gorgeous Bakeries
There are a handful of amazing bakeries in Troyes you should definitely visit.
I’m crazy about bakeries, and whether we’re talking about patisseries in London or cute bakeries in Paris, I want top notch quality.
After all, I am French and was born into the croissant and macaron culture – I know how to recognize quality.
There are two bakeries in Troyes you should pop by during your trip in town, and the first one is Gérard.
I would suggest visiting in the morning, when all the breads and pastries are still fresh and warm. You can even get coffee to go and sandwiches at Gérard, which can come in handy at lunchtime.
My favorite pastry in this cute boulangerie is the Ispahan (pictured above), a raspberry, lychee and rose macaron. Yummy!
The second bakery you should visit in Troyes in located on Boulevard Pierre Brossolette, and is called Laurent Duparcq.
All the pastries, breads and chocolates you’ll find there are of the highest quality, and well worth a try.
My favorite French pastry is the Paris Brest, which is a combination of pastry choux and beautiful praline cream – at Laurent Duparcq, it offers extra elevated chocolate flavors too.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: See the Coeur de Troyes
The Coeur de Troyes is an installation which appeared a few years ago on the shores of the Seine, and is now one of the landmarks of the city.
There are fountains all around the piece of art, in front of which you can find tourists taking pictures.
Taking a stroll along the Seine river is one of my favorite things to do in Troyes, especially at sunset and at night during the summer.
You have many of the museums in Troyes located close to the Coeur de Troyes, so that’s really a central piece to pop by.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Go Shopping at Mademoiselle Fée du Shopping
Mademoiselle Fée du Shopping is one of my favorite shops in Troyes, in which I happen to have bought a couple of stunning Paul Marius handbags a few months ago.
The concept store is located really centrally, close to Rue Emile Zola, Troyes’s main street.
In this really cute shop, you’ll find anything from independent jewelry brands to handbags, notebooks, earrings, scarves, and much, much more.
The Paul Marius bags (pictured above) are some of my favorite leather handbags ever, and a brand that proves to be very inexpensive when you see how premium the quality is.
I’d say the accessories and handbags at Mademoiselle Fée du Shopping are some of the best things to buy in Troyes, honestly.
Also, you have one of the best chocolate shops of Troyes, Pascal Caffet, located a couple of minutes away on foot.
All around the shop, you have lots of possible photo spots, as well as incredible timber frame and Renaissance buildings.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Explore the Architecture
You really have two types of architecture in Troyes: timber frame buildings of the Medieval era and Renaissance buildings.
The former is made with wood, the latter is made out of stone and both types of architectures are a sight when you’re visiting Troyes for the first time.
Troyes’s main street, Rue Emile Zola, is a perfect example of the timber frame architecture.
It provides a really beautiful background for pictures, and it just so happens that Rue Emile Zola hosts some of the best shops in Troyes.
One of my favorite places to eat in Troyes is Le Moulin de Pierre in this specific street, since it offers lunchtime deals under 10 euros – almost incredible in a French city.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Find the Street Art in Troyes
There is plenty of street art in Troyes, and cats are prevalent in these drawings and graffitis.
All around Les Halles, the main square of the city, and its church, you will find cute spots with street art.
The Rue Champeaux is another one of the cutest streets in Troyes, and a place you really have to visit.
In this street, you will find a lot of cool restaurants and creperies, as well as the famous Tourelle and the Rue des Chats. In this street, you will find a lot of cool restaurants and creperies, as well as the famous Tourelle and the Rue des Chats. As you stroll along, you’ll come across hidden gems that rival Rome’s most Instagrammable restaurants, offering not just delicious food but also stunning interiors perfect for capturing memories. With its charming ambiance and vibrant energy, this area is a hotspot for foodies and photographers alike.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Paris
Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Visit Churches and the Cathedral
One of the best things to do in Troyes is to visit the few churches and the Cathedral, which almost all boast stunning Gothic architecture and gargoyles.
They are all utterly impressive, from the Cathedral to the Basilique Saint Urbain, the Eglise Saint Nizier and the Eglise Sainte Madeleine.
All the churches in Troyes are located quite close to each other, so if you’re only spending a day in Troyes, just know you may have the time to visit them all if you do it quickly enough.
The city definitely boasts a rich religious history, since the synagogue is also an important landmark of the city.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Get Some Work Done at French Coffee Shop
The French Coffee Shop is one of the best cafes in Troyes, in my opinion, and it’s part of a really cool franchise.
If you’re moving to Troyes to study at the IUT or the UTT, or the famous business school, you might find yourself visiting the French Coffee Shop quite often.
They have free WiFi and power outlets, which make it one of the best cafes to work in Troyes.
It’s not the cheapest coffee shop in Troyes at all, but at weekends, you have one of the most delicious breakfasts there with fresh croissants from Pascal Caffet.
The drinks are creamy and the atmosphere is utterly friendly, so for a snack and a break, that’s definitely a place to visit.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Find Sculptures Around Town
You’ll find plenty of sculptures and statues in town made from various materials.
Near the university’s buildings, you’ll find the lady with the hat, as well as the beach reconstitution, with kid running toward the water.
I have to say that taking pictures of these numerous statues and sculptures is one of my favorite things to do in Troyes, and gives incredible results on a sunny day.
Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Visit Original Museums and Art Galleries
Troyes might be one of the smallest cities in France, its size still allows it to have plenty of interesting museums and art galleries.
The Hotel Dieu le Comte is one of my personal favorite museums in Troyes (pictured above and below), and offers beautiful photo opportunities.
Other interesting museums to visit in Troyes include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hotel de Vauluisant, the famous Cité du Vitrail and the Maison de l’Outil.
All of them will give you more insight about the city’s past and history, and really are impressive.
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Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Visit the Ruelle des Chats
The Ruelle des Chats is one of the oldest and narrowest streets in town, and a must-visit if you love architecture.
Cobblestone streets and timber frame buildings line the Ruelle des Chats, which is absolutely beautiful when the sun creates crisp shadows on the facades.
Read: The Best Photo Spots in London
Best Things to Do in Troyes, France: Grab a Bite at a Laidback Restaurant
There are plenty of cool restaurants in Troyes you should try, and here are some of my favorites:
- Le Moulin de Pierre, for a quick lunch with fresh sandwiches, salads and pastries
- Le Libanais, for beautifully flavorful Lebanese food
- Hippopotamus, for really juicy steaks and beautiful chocolate mousse
- O des Lys, for beautifully elevated French food
- L’Alhambra, for delicious and authentic Moroccan dishes
I will soon write a full post to the best places to eat in Troyes, but these five make it to the top of my list.
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Exploring Troyes, France’s Gorgeous Medieval Town – What to See, What to Eat, What to Do
There you have them, all the best things to do in Troyes, places to have breakfast and a snack and street art spots!
Hopefully, you’ll have found here all you need to plan a full day in Troyes, and really have fun!
Until next time!
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