Named after the Aube river which flows through the area before joining the Seine, Aube is a land of lush fertile fields and dense forest. The Forêt d’Orient (so called because it was inhabited by knights during the Crusades who are rumoured to have buried their treasure from the Holy Land there) is the Regional Nature Park. The area includes Les Grands Lacs, 5,000 hectares of lakes created to regulate the flow the river. Sailing, windsurfing and other sports are on offer at the Club Nautique Aubois de Voile, and less taxing pastimes (golf, archery, riding, hot-air ballooning) are all available at hotels in the area.

There are stunning views over the hills and valleys of the Côte des Bar area. Champagne is also made here and wine-makers are always glad to welcome visitors.

As the central town of Aube and the original capital of Champagne, Troyes is steeped in history. When Attila the Hun invaded Gaul in 451 destroying everything in his path, the bishop of Troyes, St Loup, offered himself to the invader and asked him to spare the town. He did.

Troyes has maintained the commercial prosperity it created in medieval times through its famous champagne fairs in the second week in June. Bar sur Aube has a Foire aux Vins de Champagne in the second week of September.

Fire destroyed much of Troyes in 1524 but wealthy inhabitants rebuilt it on a larger, more opulent scale - and a lot remains today. The attractive timber-framed houses are superb and the tourist office has details of the tours of the old town. In summer, night time tours and son et lumière displays are not to be missed.

The extraordinary Apothicairerie de l’Hôtel Dieu le Comte in Troyes is an 18th century pharmacy down to the tiniest detail, and hundreds of apothecary’s phials, receptacles and containers are on display to fascinate hypochondriacs and health-nuts alike!

Troyes cathedral

The Musée d’Art Moderne in Place Saint-Pierre is an oasis of tranquillity from the flurry of the town outside, and a soothing hour and a half can be whiled away in the company of some of Degas, Derain and Picasso’s finest art. Troyes is more recently well-known for its McArthur Glen village of sixty factory shops in Pont Ste-Marie - serious retail therapy.

Of the eight half-timbered churches to be found in Aube and nowhere else in France, the Eglise St Jacques et St Philippe at Lentilles in Les Grand Lacs is open every day to visitors, and is a beautiful example of these unique 16th century structures.

South is the village of Chaource famous for its cheese. The village has a number of 15th century half timbered houses and hot-air balloon rides are on offer from Domaine Raid Découverte. In Essoyes, "Atelier Renoir" celebrates the painter’s life (his workshop, his furniture) and directs visitors to his grave at the nearby cemetery. At the Maison de la Vigne there is a wine-making exhibition and tour of the cellars.

For rainy days the Musée des Automates in Lusigny-sur-Barse where a collection of 40 dolls is each set in motion during the tour is a bit different. Alternatively the Musée des Vieux Tacots at Les Riceys has motor vehicles from 1902-1940, all in immaculate condition.

Bar sur Aube has many medieval stone and timber buildings and a 13th century cellar, Cellier aux Moines, where the local winegrowers had their headquarters when fighting to keep the right to produce champagne at the beginning of the 20th century. The crystal works at Bayel is open to visitors.

In and around the forests of the Pays d’Othe are a number of orchards which produce cider and which give the area its nickname, "Little Normandy".