In Aube, wetlands and lakes sit alongside stained glass, a varied architectural history and regional specialities. The Forêt d’Orient National Nature Reserve covers 1,560 hectares of lakes and wetlands. It is a stopover for migratory birds and also serves as a wintering ground. Exploring Aube lets you combine these encounters with nature, historic sites and routes through the countryside.

Lakes, forest and water activities

Different rules apply to different activities in the Forêt d’Orient lakes area. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted during navigation hours on Lac d’Orient and Lac Amance, at slipways and beaches outside protected areas. Stand-up paddleboarding is not permitted on Lac du Temple or Lac Amance; on Lac d’Orient, it is allowed outside the National Nature Reserve. Check the official rules on water use before setting out, so you can plan an activity that suits the lake.

There are also different ways to explore the landscape on land. The nearby Forêt d’Orient Regional Natural Park has more than 300 kilometres of hiking trails. The Palais du roi Chêne educational trail also runs through Forêt d’Orient Park; it is described as accessible to all. Check the trail’s access and condition locally.

Choose cycling routes by time and distance

Aube offers several scales of cycling trips: 24 circular routes follow secondary roads, each measuring between 33 and 85 kilometres and covering 1,474 kilometres in total. A separate 150-kilometre route follows the Seine; three quarters of it run along dedicated, car-free paths. These figures help show the difference between a single loop and a longer riverside route, without implying a particular travel time.

For a multi-day ride, consider the four-day “L’Aube à vélo” cycling route: it runs from Nogent-sur-Seine to Vendeuvre-sur-Barse, via Troyes and the lakes of Forêt d’Orient. The Voie verte des grands lacs Seine et Aube links Troyes with the lakes and makes it possible to complete a circuit around Lac d’Orient. This means you can choose between a set multi-day tour, loops on secondary roads and a route combined with a lake circuit.

Stained glass and architectural history

The Route du Vitrail showcases 70 stained-glass sites in Aube and Haute-Marne. Its resources provide historical, tourist and practical information to help plan visits. The map gives access information for each listed building; check it before visiting. In Troyes, the cathedral preserves 1,500 square metres of stained glass, making it a particular point of interest for anyone interested in this art form.

The history of the buildings also tells a story of change. The former Cistercian abbey of Clairvaux was converted into a prison in the 19th century under Napoleon. Guided tours are now offered there year-round; check times and booking options in advance. The Musée du Cristal de Bayel is located on the site of a former royal crystal factory and features permanent exhibitions by the Écomusée. In Essoyes, Auguste Renoir’s former home and studio are open to the public; check current visiting arrangements before your visit.

Champagne countryside and local specialities

The signposted Touristique du Champagne route runs for 220 kilometres through the Côte des Bar countryside and around thirty villages associated with Aube’s heritage. The Cadoles are a distinctive form of architectural heritage: these dry-stone huts are found in Courteron, Gyé-sur-Seine and Les Riceys. They differ from the stained-glass and museum sites, offering another, more rural perspective on the area.

One regional speciality is Chaource, an AOP soft cheese with a white rind, made from whole cow’s milk. Its production, processing and ageing are tied to a defined area in the Champagne Humide around Aube and Yonne. During your stay, you can discover a protected food product with a precisely defined origin, alongside the landscape and architecture.

Getting there and planning your trip

Troyes is on the Paris–Mulhouse TER Grand Est line; the journey from Paris to Troyes is listed as taking around one hour and 30 minutes. Check the timetable and journey time before departure. If you are looking for a hotel in Aube, let the experiences that interest you most help set your focus: lakes and nature, cycling routes, stained glass, or the architectural and food culture of the Côte des Bar. For specific outings, remember to check access information, visiting arrangements and the applicable water rules separately.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chavanges, Argancon, Bligny, Laubressel, Mesnil-Saint-Père, Troyes, Saint-Nabord, Sainte-Savine, Ruvigny, Rouilly-Sacey, Romilly-Sur-Seine, Nogent-Sur-Seine, Maizières-La-Grande-Paroisse, Maisons-Lès-Chaource, Les Riceys, La Chapelle-Saint-Luc, Dolancourt, Créney-Près-Troyes, Buchères, Bréviandes, Bar-Sur-Aube, Barberey-Saint-Sulpice, Barberey-Aux-Moines, Aix-En-Othe, Vendeuvre-Sur-Barse, Chamoy, Racines, Saint-André-Les-Vergers, Poligny, Étrelles-sur-Aube, Essoyes, Soulaines-Dhuys, Virey-Sous-Bar, La Rivière-De-Corps, Villeret, Piney, Bessy, Mussy-Sur-Seine, La Loge-Aux-Chèvres, Arsonval, Eaux-Puiseaux, Rosières-Près-Troyes, Baroville, Onjon, Canton of Marcilly-Le-Hayer, Montiéramey, La Rothière, Chaource, Saint-Benoît-Sur-Seine, Arcis-Sur-Aube, Rilly-Sainte-Syre, Fontaine-Les-Grès, Saint-Mards-En-Othe, Saint-Léger-Sous-Brienne, Isle-Aumont, Longchamp-Sur-Aujon, Saint-Thibault, Dierrey-Saint-Julien, Estissac, Ervy-Le-Châtel, Les Granges, Bayel, Lesmont, Couvignon, Vougrey, Villenauxe-La-Grande, Traînel, Montigny-Les-Monts, Brévonnes, Landreville, Dosches, Celles-Sur-Ource, Bagneux-La-Fosse, Montgueux, Champignol-Lez-Mondeville, Bar-Sur-Seine, Avirey-Lingey, Buxeuil, Noë-Les-Mallets, Polisy, Merrey-Sur-Arce, Gyé-Sur-Seine, La Saulsotte, Vosnon, Saint-Pouange, Brienne-Le-Château, Macey, Voué, Briel-Sur-Barse, Les Croûtes, Géraudot, Montaulin, Lignol-le-Château, Lavau, Charmont-sous-Barbuise, Clérey, Bouilly, Précy-Saint-Martin, Paisy-Cosdon, Précy-Notre-Dame, Villechétif, Saint-Lyé, Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Pont-Sainte-Marie, Saint-Julien-les-Villas, La Villeneuve-au-Châtelot, Fontaine-Mâcon, Dosnon, Joncreuil, Auxon, Sainte-Maure, Bucey-en-Othe, Fralignes, Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres, Courceroy, Channes, Cormost, Marnay-sur-Seine, Ferreux-Quincey, Fontette, Mesnil-Sellières

Return to the regional travel overview: Champagne-Ardenne.