The capital of Champagne-shaped like a Champagne cork — a medieval city with one of the densest concentrations of half-timbered houses in France, Gothic stained glass that rivals Chartres, the world's most famous trousseau fair that gave Europe the 'troy weight' system, and France's outlet shopping capital
Troyes (60,000; metro 170,000) in Aube is the historical capital of the Champagne region — the entire old city is shaped like a Champagne cork (visible from above) and contains the largest collection of 16th-century half-timbered houses in France: over 600 maisons colombages, along with medieval alleys, courtyards, and four major Gothic churches whose stained glass collections rival Chartres. The medieval fairs of Troyes (Champagne Fairs, 12th–13th century) were the most important trade fair in medieval Europe — they gave their name to the troy weight system still used for precious metals and…
Augustobona Tricassium was a major Roman administrative city; after the fall of Rome, Troyes became the seat of the powerful Counts of Champagne (12th–13th century), who controlled the crossroads trade between Flanders and Italy. The Champagne Fairs ran six times a year (fairs of Troyes, Bar-sur-Aube, Provins, and Lagny) and were the financial engine of medieval European commerce — merchants from across Europe settled here, and the monetary system of 'troy weight' (still used by the London and New York precious metals markets) derives from Troyes. The city was held by the English during the H…