Arcis-sur-Aube lies on the banks of the Aube, a tributary of the Seine. Its riverside setting provides a clear geographical context, while the town’s history spans from Danton’s birth to the events at the Pont de l'Aube in the 20th century. Those interested in staying here will find a range of historical perspectives: a personal biography, religious and château architecture, and the history of an important transport link.
Danton and several phases of construction
Georges-Jacques Danton was born in Arcis-sur-Aube on 26 October 1759 and baptized that same day. The exact date provides a personal point of reference in the town’s history. The Église Saint-Étienne, built at the beginning of the 16th century, offers a different point of reference in time. Danton’s birth year and the church’s construction period belong to different chapters in the town’s history.
The Château d'Arcis-sur-Aube also represents a transition between historical building phases. Pierre Grassin had the present château built in 1721 on the site of the former feudal castle. The site of the earlier building and the present Château are therefore part of a shared history, but they are not the same structure. The château is associated with a ten-hectare park designed by Le Nôtre. There is also a practical limitation to bear in mind when planning: the interior of the Château is not open to visitors. Check the visiting conditions before your trip.
Pont de l'Aube: transport and history
The Pont de l'Aube played a strategic role on former Imperial Road 95, which later became the RN 77 and subsequently the RD 677. The bridge is also known for the battle Napoleon fought here against Schwarzenberg’s armies on 20 and 21 March 1814. A much later event took place on 27 August 1944, when German troops blew up the bridge to secure their retreat. These dates span the Napoleonic Wars and the Second World War, showing how different periods are connected with the same bridge.
Industrial history and construction
In the first half of the 19th century, Jules Savouré, a Parisian hosiery merchant, established a hosiery factory in Arcis-sur-Aube. Its ground floor is made of chalk; the upper floors are built using half-timbering and wattle and daub. The factory is considered characteristic of the Champagne architectural style. It adds to the church and the Château an example of a different building method and a different historical context.
If you would like to learn more about the town’s history, the Médiathèque of Arcis-sur-Aube also provides information about its past. Together with the buildings and the Pont de l'Aube, it offers several ways to understand the town: through individual life dates, architecture, or its transport history.
Choosing a hotel for your stay
When looking for a hotel in Arcis-sur-Aube, start by asking whether the town itself is to be the main focus of your trip. If you want to compare different construction periods, your interests will differ from those of someone exploring Danton or the history of the bridge. Choose your accommodation according to the travel theme that interests you most, and bear in mind that access to the Château’s interior is restricted if you plan to visit.
Discover more destinations: Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Laubressel, La Rothière, Chaource, Soulaines-Dhuys, Mesnil-Sellières, Landreville, Maisons-Lès-Chaource.
Return to the main travel overview: Aube.
