ヴィリー＝ル＝ボワのおすすめツーリングルート

Fun facts & legends • In 1789, the police wanted to put up fences because the alley was notorious as a meeting place for lovers. • A local legend tells of a pregnant woman who was miraculously saved when a wall “moved aside” in front of her belly. • The street is also said to have played a role during epidemics: the many cats helped keep rat populations under control. Why visit? • Very photogenic: One of the most photographed places in Troyes – often featured on postcards. • Historic and romantic: Perfect for those who love medieval towns and hidden gems. • Nearby: You’ll also find cozy cafés and a cat café (“Troyes Petits Chats”), plus a pretty courtyard called Cour du Mortier d’Or and the Jardin Juvénal-des-Ursins.

The Ruelle des Chats, or Cat Alley, is one of the most charming and famous streets in the old town of Troyes, located in the Champagne region of France. ⸻ 🏛️ History & Architecture • Medieval origins: The alley dates back to the 15th century and was rebuilt after a major fire in 1524. • Why the name “Cat Alley”?: The houses are built so that their upper floors almost lean against each other. It is said that a cat could jump from one roof to the other — hence the name. • Typical half-timbering: The street is paved with a gutter in the middle for rainwater, and the houses are half-timbered with wooden beams that stabilize the whole. ⸻ 🌆 Atmosphere & charm • Romantic appearance: The narrow passage and leaning facades create a mysterious, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. • Reconstruction: In 2014, several half-timbered houses were rebuilt based on old prints and photos. • Preserved thanks to heritage protection: In the 1960s, the street was saved from demolition by the efforts of heritage organisations and Minister André Malraux.

Shaded trails through the Jeugny Forest. It's a pleasant place to cycle for a stroll in nature.

Saint-Jean-de-Bonneval is located about twenty kilometers from Troyes. There you will find the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, of medieval origin. The village is surrounded by agricultural landscapes, perfect for recharging your batteries by bike.

The Dragon, created by Gildas Berthelot for L’art est dans le pré, is a wooden sculpture. With its undulating curves, it seems to emerge from the landscape. A work to see up close!

Relaxing stroll along the canal

With the help of a parchment, you will be able to discover the entire domain around an Investigation in the form of Cluedo in which you will be the hero... Thanks to Vidocq, the most famous spy in France, you will journey to find the clues hidden in each room of the castle, still haunted by dark events. It's up to you to find them and unmask the culprit! A timeless visit, every day of the summer and at special times until the end of October, come and discover a fun, family-friendly and attractive visit in a setting steeped in history and surrounded by nature. After significant development and staging work, the residence built by the famous architect of Louis XV (Germain Boffrand) offers you a timeless visit. A few rooms on the ground floor of the castle as well as a major construction site in progress on the central body, allow visitors to appreciate the extent of the restoration in progress and to come.

Don't miss the interior courtyards accessible from the alley