The best walks and hikes around Urville

Viewpoint of the town of Bar-sur-Aube. Celtic oppidum. Paragliding spot.

Viewpoint of the town of Bar-sur-Aube. Celtic oppidum. Paragliding spot.

The St. Peter's Church in Bar-sur-Aube is a church dedicated to the apostle Peter. The church is located in the town of Bar-sur-Aube, in the Aube department, in the Grand Est region. The church dates from the 12th century and is Romanesque in style. The church has a remarkable organ from the 17th century, which originally came from another monastery. The church also has an 18th century tower, which offers a beautiful view of the town and the Aube River.

Via Francigena: During this stage, a stop in Bar-sur-Aube is a must. Situated on a north-south axis, the town acquired strategic importance and the status of a commercial centre during the period of the Counts of Champagne. The latter had indeed guaranteed the security of the merchants and set up an adapted logistical organisation that contributed to the development of Bar-sur-Aube as a commercial centre. Thus, from mid-February to mid-April, traders from Flanders and Italy exchanged oriental spices, silk, textiles and raw materials from Northern Europe. The architecture of the town bears witness to this past activity.

The Saint-Pierre Church of Bar-sur-Aube is a historic monument which deserves special attention. Dating from the 12th century, it has remarkable architecture with its harmonious apse and its halloy, a 14th century wooden portico which gives it a unique exterior originality. Inside, the nave offers a beautiful perspective, allowing you to admire the capitals of very Cistercian simplicity and the vault. The church also houses a Romanesque Sedes Sapientiae from the 12th century and sculptures from the 16th century, including a particularly beautiful Virgin and Child with a Bouquet. The Bouchardon altarpiece dating from 1736 and the magnificent Baroque organ case from the 18th century are also notable elements of this heritage. Visitors appreciate the calm and light of the nave, which reveals traces of past polychromy. The exhibition of 16th century statuary and the organ case in three bodies from three distinct periods add to the historical and artistic richness of Saint-Pierre Church. In short, the Saint-Pierre Church is a jewel of Bar-sur-Aube which offers visitors a journey through time and sacred art. It is a living testimony to the history and culture of the region, and its visit is highly recommended for those interested in religious architecture and art history.

Two rivers cross the pretty town of Bar-sur-Aube. These are the Aube river which gives its name to the department and the Bresse. Numerous Champagne vineyard hillsides surround it, which makes it a renowned place for the production of champagne.

Situated at an altitude of 349 metres, Sainte-Germaine Hill offers a magnificent view of the entire valley from the orientation table. The remains of the embankments and ditches of a Gallic oppidum, called the "Roman camp", still remain. Traces of ancient fortifications can also be seen. A chapel is dedicated to Sainte-Germaine.

The old town center of Bar-sur-Aube is a historical and cultural heritage that testifies to the rich medieval period of the city. Bar-sur-Aube was one of six places that hosted the Champagne annual fairs, which attracted traders from all over Europe. You can still see the covered gallery used by the merchants, as well as the Saint-Pierre church, the Saint-Maclou church and the former Ursuline convent.