Troyes

France have their own Troyes, pronounced 'twus'. It is near by but we realised we had never visited. It has its own history, long and varied but no Helens, just a king once and plenty of invasions.

Part of the city over the canal.

 We parked near the canal and walked over to the city. In this part at least, there are lots of half-timbered houses (pans de bois to the French).

June

June and I were dressed for the cold, but in the event it was reasonably mild. The predicted rain held off and we stayed far longer that we had anticipated.

As you walk past the canal, now with bridges so low it cannot be used as such, there are statues at intervals, artistically placed and commemorating something or someone, as explained on a plaque near by.

Famous lady

I can't remember who this lady was (June says her name was Lilly) and it did not say why she was famous - perhaps for hats? But good for a picture anyway.

Old style house over shop.

 There were plenty of old houses, often over a shop. Some were prettier than others, none of them very straight. A spirit level or plumb line could have been of assistance by the looks of things, or perhaps the wood just moved and twisted over the ages? I am sure an 'expert' out there will put me straight.....

No one minds if the house is not quite straight.

Some are less straight than others!

After a while being outside, and despite visiting a church (which was colder inside than out) we finally headed for an indoor market, just to look around, and perhaps to warm up a little. There was an upstairs that afforded this view of the downstairs.

Indoor market

On our way back to the car we saw that the cathedral was the other side of the canal. Lots of old buildings on route, including this hotel- 5 star it said and certainly it was straighter than most of the buildings in the town.

You could stay at this hotel.
Despite the age, it is 5 star.

 In the cathedral itself was this homage to women. I loved the shadows so I have included this picture.

Honouring women in the cathedral.

An so onwards and out of the city. No photos, but we did find the museum of the Knights Templar in a little village near by called Payns. It is a small exhibition with a film being the most informative part. We were the only visitors late on Saturday just before closing and had the place and the attendant's ear to ourselves. Despite that she appeared to know little in addition to what we could read, possibly because it is all shrouded in mystery and confusion, legend and conspiracy.  An extract from Wikipedia (link above) reads "Around 1119, the French knight Hugues de Payens approached King Baldwin II of Jerusalem with the proposal of creating a monastic order for the protection of ... pilgrims." Hugues de Payens was from the village now called 'Payns', hence the location of the museum.

A good end to a lovely day out.