Reims to Troyes and Arcis-sur-Aube: Private day trip

Dating back to the ancient Romans, the city was made the capital of Champagne in the 9th century, and kept the title until the French Revolution. After a massive fire in 1524, most of the city had to be rebuilt. This disaster left the city with a large, coherent, and colorful collection of half-timbered houses unrivalled in France. The 16th century Hôtel de Mauroy is particularly striking, and it houses the world’s largest tool museum, exhibiting 11,000 pieces that date back to the 1600s. The town cathedral was built between the 13th and 17th centuries, leaving it with an harmonious mix of architectural styles, as well as historic art collection. The 12th century Église de la Madeleine has a striking Renaissance interior, complete with an unusual choir screen, which separates everyday worshippers from the church’s most sacred areas.