The best walks and hikes around Lavau

Église Saint-Pantaléon (Troyes) This 16th-century church is a hidden gem in the heart of Troyes' old town. From the outside, it looks rather simple, but be sure to step inside: the interior is richly filled with exceptional wooden sculptures and stained-glass windows that beautifully filter the warm, soft light. The statues and saints seem to come to life and offer a beautiful glimpse into religious art in Champagne during the Renaissance. The church is dedicated to Saint Pantaléon, the patron saint of physicians, a fact reflected in some of the details and ornamentation. Thanks to its tranquil atmosphere and refined craftsmanship, it's a place to slow down—perfect for a stroll through Troyes. Tip: Take your time looking up; the wooden sculptures are at various heights and are easy to miss if you walk too quickly. (Troyes) This 16th-century church is a hidden gem in the heart of Troyes' old town. From the outside, it looks rather simple, but be sure to step inside: the interior is richly filled with exceptional wooden sculptures and stained-glass windows that beautifully filter the warm, soft light. The statues and saints seem to come to life and offer a beautiful glimpse into religious art in Champagne during the Renaissance. The church is dedicated to Saint Pantaléon, the patron saint of physicians, a fact reflected in some of the details and ornamentation. Thanks to its tranquil atmosphere and refined craftsmanship, it's a place to slow down—perfect for a stroll through Troyes. Tip: Take your time looking up; the wooden sculptures are at various heights and are easy to miss if you move too quickly.

Object sheet: Statue of the prophet David Technical category Category: Sculpture Material and intervention technique: Limestone Iconography (indexed representation) Representation: David, prophet Dimensions Height: 153 cm Width: 57 cm Depth: 39 cm State of preservation General condition: Restored Restorer: Jean Délivré Date of restoration: 2008 Details: Important work of art that has been exposed to weather conditions and urban pollution for a long time. History Artist / Maker: François Gentil (sculptor) Century of creation: Third quarter of the 16th century Year of creation: 1554 Legal status and protection Ownership: Municipal property Protection status: Classified as an object Date of protection: 18 February 1908 Details: Statue of the prophet David, in stone, 16th century (south portal), classified on 18-02-1908. Comments According to the CAOA list of Mgr. Marsat (1980), this statue is attributed to François Gentil. This statue and that of the prophet Isaiah are the only works that can be attributed to him with certainty (according to archive documents). Heritage value Mention: Object of interest Photographic material No old photos available in the CAOA archive Documentary references Research context: Thematic departmental research (movable heritage of the churches of the Aube) File name: Individual file Date of research: 2003 Date of creation of the file: 2004

Object sheet: Statue of the prophet Isaiah Title: The Prophet Isaiah Author: François Gentil (sculptor) Dating: 1554 Century: Third quarter of the 16th century Material: Limestone Dimensions: H: 149 cm ; W: 63 cm ; D: 44 cm Typology: Religious sculpture (south portal) State of preservation State: Restored Date of restoration: 2008 Restorer: Jean Délivré Details: Important work that has been exposed to the elements and urban pollution for a long time. Historical and artistic context This statue of the prophet Isaiah is part of a larger sculptural whole. Together with the statue of the prophet David, this is the only work that is attributed with certainty to François Gentil, based on archive documents (source: CAOA, Mgr. Marsat, 1980). The work bears witness to the style of sculpture in the Champagne region in the mid-16th century. Protection as a historical monument Legal status: Property of the municipality Protection status: Classified as an object Date of classification: 18 February 1908 Details: Stone statue, attributed to François Gentil (+1588), south portal of the building. Study and documentation Research context: Thematic departmental research - movable heritage of churches in the Aube Type of file: Individual file Date of research: 2003 Date of creation of the file: 2004 Iconography: Isaiah Old photos: None in the CAOA archive Heritage value Object of interest, worth mentioning for its artistic and historical value. A valuable testimony to religious sculpture from the Renaissance in Champagne.

The Church of Saint Nicholas is a Catholic church located in Troyes, in the Aube department of France.[1] Dating from the 16th century, it contains important examples of Renaissance stained glass and statuary. Bron: Wikipedia

Fun facts & legends • In 1789, the police wanted to put up fences because the alley was notorious as a meeting place for lovers. • A local legend tells of a pregnant woman who was miraculously saved when a wall “moved aside” in front of her belly. • The street is also said to have played a role during epidemics: the many cats helped keep rat populations under control. Why visit? • Very photogenic: One of the most photographed places in Troyes – often featured on postcards. • Historic and romantic: Perfect for those who love medieval towns and hidden gems. • Nearby: You’ll also find cozy cafés and a cat café (“Troyes Petits Chats”), plus a pretty courtyard called Cour du Mortier d’Or and the Jardin Juvénal-des-Ursins.

The Ruelle des Chats, or Cat Alley, is one of the most charming and famous streets in the old town of Troyes, located in the Champagne region of France. ⸻ 🏛️ History & Architecture • Medieval origins: The alley dates back to the 15th century and was rebuilt after a major fire in 1524. • Why the name “Cat Alley”?: The houses are built so that their upper floors almost lean against each other. It is said that a cat could jump from one roof to the other — hence the name. • Typical half-timbering: The street is paved with a gutter in the middle for rainwater, and the houses are half-timbered with wooden beams that stabilize the whole. ⸻ 🌆 Atmosphere & charm • Romantic appearance: The narrow passage and leaning facades create a mysterious, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. • Reconstruction: In 2014, several half-timbered houses were rebuilt based on old prints and photos. • Preserved thanks to heritage protection: In the 1960s, the street was saved from demolition by the efforts of heritage organisations and Minister André Malraux.

Monument to Robert Galley - Place de la Libération Work of sculptor Didier Rousseau - Navarre This monument, inaugurated in November 2018, honours the memory of Robert Galley, member of the Free French Resistance, Companion of the Liberation, minister from 1968 to 1981 and mayor of Troyes from 1972 to 1995. The gilded bronze bust rests on a square column of Burgundy stone. It weighs almost 150 kg and is 125 cm high. The entire statue is 2.75 m high. Note the butterfly on his left shoulder: a little nod to this nature lover who was passionate about entomology (the study of insects) and butterflies in particular. He collected almost 20,000 species of butterflies and donated them to the Natural History Museum in Troyes.

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.