ROYES, 20 minutes by car, (see virtourist for troyes), is a medieval town with narrow streets, which have largely been re-cobbled. Most of the shops are wooden framed and these have also been restored in the last few years. Photographers come from far and wide to take pictures of the stained glass windows in the cathedral and churches, some dating from the very beginnings of the craft in the13th century. There are also 2 SWIMMING POOLS, 1 outside through summer, THEATRE, CINEMA , MODERN ART MUSEUM, MUSEE DE L'OUTIL (TOOLS MUSEUM) Troyes is a lively shopping area and also has 2 sites of FACTORY SHOPS selling all the famous brand names in clothes, linen, etc. www.marquescity.com has an amusing translation.
Other local pursuits are MUSEUM OF KNIGHT TEMPLARS, GO-KARTS, SKATEBOARD PARK FOR YOUNGSTERS in Troyes and of course FISHING in the Seine that is close by.
NIGLOLAND, about 50 kilometres, is a paradise for children with gentle rides and lots of them. Adults are not forgotten, too. A niglo is a hedgehog and that is the theme of the park and the very professional shows. www.nigloland.fr
LES GRANDS LACS (THE GREAT LAKES), about 50 kilometres, has been set up like a beach with lots of room for children to run around and play games. Take a picnic and it's free, or enjoy the food at various cafes. There is also a closer lake, free, which has swimming and fishing with a lifeguard for August.
FORET DE L'ORIENT and FORET D'OTHE, beautiful drives through these areas with typical French villages and auberges.
REIMS, about an hour by car, is a lovely old city with an impressive cathedral.
ESSOYES, about 45 minutes by car, is where Renoir spent much of his time painting. ‘Renoir essoyes' brings up the best English site at www.france-voyage.com.
THE CHAMPAGNE TRAIL really needs no introduction. You only have to go a few kilometres to see the vines but the big area with most ‘caves' (cellars) is south of Reims, at Epernay. Troyes , as the capital of the Champagne region, hosts a big champagne fair each September. MONTGEUX CHAMPAGNE VILLAGE, about 18 kilometres, is full of champagne producers with champagne being sold by the growers.
PARIS, 85 miles, and DISNEYLAND
ABBAYE DE FONTENAY amazing restored Cistercian 12th Century buildings 50 miles north of Dijon. Put the name into a search engine and click ‘welcome' for the English version.
CHATEAU DE MOTTE TILLY halfway to Paris, see( www.la-motte-tilly.monuments-nationaux.fr) and
FONTAINEBLEAU PALACE (type Fontainebleau Chateau France in your web browser for the best information) are about 60 miles away.
The BOTANICAL GARDENS AT MARNEY SUR SEINE are about 25 miles away, fascinating and informative if you like gardening.
VIDE GRENIERS (car boot sales) are held every Sunday in different local villages. Stallholders set up outside their own gate where possible.