You are in the heart of the Pays d’Othe, a yet little-known region 150 km from Paris.
An alternating pattern between wooded hills and vast open fields, at the border of both Burgundy and Champagne.
As if you were in Gers (southwest France) or Tuscany (Italy) but only 1h30 far from Paris!
SIGHTSEEING :
Churches:
The region has been little damaged by wars. Each village has a magnificent church.
The stained glass windows are splendid, starting with those of the Rigny church (ask us for the key).
The rood screen of Villemaure-sur-Vanne is a splendid wooden lacework, 500 years old.
Let’s not forget the Sens Cathedral, the first Gothic cathedral in the world.
Museums:
The recently opened Cité du Vitrail (“stained glass city”) in Troyes displays the art of stained glass through the centuries in a contemporary way.
The “Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière” (“House of Tools and Workers’ Thought”), in the same town of Troyes, offers an incredible collection of tools, craft by craft. This museum is housed in a splendid 16th century mansion.
A visit to Troyes is an opportunity to admire its fantastic heritage of half-timbered houses and, of course, to go … shopping in the many outlets on the outskirts!
Closer to you, the market hall (Baltard style) in Aix-en-Othe (12km) houses a covered market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
HAVING FUN:
The Etang amusement park (13 km) will delight young ones with its attractions.
The Ecuries d’Ires (Iris stables), at the same distance, welcome young riders.
SE RESTAURER
In Villeneuve l’Archevêque (7km), the Auberge des Moulins Banaux is a real gourmet restaurant, for special occasions.
“Banaux” comes from “banalités” (cf “ban” in English) meaning the compulsory usage of some seigniorial possessions (such as mills, bread ovens).
Weird: the immense gears of the mill stand right in the middle of the dining room.
More casual, la Nouvelle Bonneterie, recently opened by a young couple in the center of Rigny village. Open Friday & Saturday nights.
The name of this last establishment refers to the textile tradition of the region: hosiery factories once distributed work to farmers and villagers around.
TASTING
Rigny is ideally located between Burgundy and Champagne. A real opportunity to fill your trunk with both champagne (Les Riceys is 1 hour away) and Chablis (also 1 hour)