The best traffic-free bike rides around Bouzancourt

This is where the de Gaulles are buried. Charles de Gaulle's grave lies between the large memorial/museum and the La Boisserie residence, so it's easily accessible on the way from one to the other.

The Hôtel de Brienne (early 17th century) houses a media library. Cycle around the building and admire the Renaissance façade with cross windows.

The St. Peter's Church in Bar-sur-Aube is a church dedicated to the apostle Peter. The church is located in the town of Bar-sur-Aube, in the Aube department, in the Grand Est region. The church dates from the 12th century and is Romanesque in style. The church has a remarkable organ from the 17th century, which originally came from another monastery. The church also has an 18th century tower, which offers a beautiful view of the town and the Aube River.

The Jardin de Ruines in Bar-sur-Aube is a unique garden created on the ruins of an old monastery from the 17th century. The garden was designed by the artist Jean-Pierre Raynaud, who is known for his use of white tiles and red crosses. The garden consists of various elements, such as a labyrinth, a pyramid, an obelisk, a cross and a fountain. The garden is a symbol of the transience of life and history, but also of hope and beauty.

The town hall is located in part of a former Ursuline convent, founded in 1634 to educate girls. The renovated square is pedestrianized.

Via Francigena: During this stage, a stop in Bar-sur-Aube is a must. Situated on a north-south axis, the town acquired strategic importance and the status of a commercial centre during the period of the Counts of Champagne. The latter had indeed guaranteed the security of the merchants and set up an adapted logistical organisation that contributed to the development of Bar-sur-Aube as a commercial centre. Thus, from mid-February to mid-April, traders from Flanders and Italy exchanged oriental spices, silk, textiles and raw materials from Northern Europe. The architecture of the town bears witness to this past activity.

The apse (11th century) once served as the castle chapel of the Counts of Bar, but was demolished at the end of the 16th century on the orders of Henri IV. The current bell tower (12th century) was then the keep: the place where the portcullis was located is still visible. The classical 18th century facade is inspired by the gate of the great cloister in Clairvaux.

The Saint-Pierre Church of Bar-sur-Aube is a historic monument which deserves special attention. Dating from the 12th century, it has remarkable architecture with its harmonious apse and its halloy, a 14th century wooden portico which gives it a unique exterior originality. Inside, the nave offers a beautiful perspective, allowing you to admire the capitals of very Cistercian simplicity and the vault. The church also houses a Romanesque Sedes Sapientiae from the 12th century and sculptures from the 16th century, including a particularly beautiful Virgin and Child with a Bouquet. The Bouchardon altarpiece dating from 1736 and the magnificent Baroque organ case from the 18th century are also notable elements of this heritage. Visitors appreciate the calm and light of the nave, which reveals traces of past polychromy. The exhibition of 16th century statuary and the organ case in three bodies from three distinct periods add to the historical and artistic richness of Saint-Pierre Church. In short, the Saint-Pierre Church is a jewel of Bar-sur-Aube which offers visitors a journey through time and sacred art. It is a living testimony to the history and culture of the region, and its visit is highly recommended for those interested in religious architecture and art history.