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The Aube, is know for its Pinot Noir champagne, the medieval town of Troyes, textiles, stain glass windows, Prunelle of Troyes, Jacquot Chocolate, Cider, AOC Charouce Cheese, Andouillettes, and Briennois Sauerkraut. The Aube is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790. The Aube joined the "Champagne" region after the wine growers' revolt in 1919 who preferred to no longer be part of Burgundy. Depart on a custom planned car tour rom Reims, Epernay or Paris.

Visit 1 ▸  Vineyard Visit & Tasting at Duval Leroy

Created when the échelle des crus champagne ranking system was introduced. It is the first to produce a certified organic Brut champagne. In addition, their vat room was the first in the world to combine photovoltaic solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, and a green wall for heat and sound insulation.

Visit 2 ▸  Paired Picnic Lunch Lunch
In the heart of the Aube enjoy a picnic and pairing at a prestige producer housed in a 19th century mansion. considered one of the most prestigious Champagne producers in the Aube and served in 3 star Michelin restaurants like Pierre Gagniere and Guy Savoy.

Visit 3 ▸  Tasting in the village or Les Ricey
After lunch a visit to the litle village of Les Riceys, the only area in Champagne, which is allowed to producer 3 AOCs. Champagne, Coteaux Champenoise and the Rose de Riceys, a red still wine with an extraordinary orange/red color, a wine loved by King Louis IX. Production for the entire area is around 60,000 bottles per year.

Visit 4 ▸  Visit the Abbey de Clairvaux
Bernard de Clairvaux was a powerful supporter of the Templars and his Cistercian Order benefited greatly from their protection as they expanded the production and distribution of their wine business. This is the heritage of this region's Champagne. Abbey of Clairvaux to see the vaulted arches and and the old prison built by Napoleon Bonaparte. The active prison is next door.

Drappier
It's time to visit Champagne Drappier in Urville since 1808 and its 12th century chalk Cistercian Cellars. Formerly supplier to General de Gaulle and makers of the largest bottle of Champagne in the world weighing in at 27 litres. The house specializes in Pinot Noir and balances it with Chardonnay from its vineyards in Cramant. 

Maison de Vignerons 
Since 1956 in the Aube brings together 130 wine growers covering about 325 hectares with 90% producing Pinot Noir. The soil, vines faces south-south east with sheltered exposure so the grapes can be harvested at full maturity and fill around 750,000 bottles a year. Here you can see the mega large Aluminium tanks and have a brief overview of the company and Cooperative where Pinot Noir is the specialty. 

Champagne of the Aube is found on Jurassic grounds. This area of Champagne includes Les Riceys and Bar-sur-Seine. Pinot Noir Grapes grown in the Aube are sold to the famous brand further north. Over the years some of these growers decided to create their own cuvees with the best grapes, and build a name for themselves.

The medieval city of Troyes was the home of the Medieval Talmudic scholar Rashi, 12th century poet Chrétienne de Troyes credited with creating the character of Lancelot and Council of Troyes that sanctioned the Knights Templar in 1129. In 1420, it was here Catherine of Valois married Henry V of England at the parish church of St. Jean; and where, in 1429, after a few days of refusing to let her in, the British surrendered to Joan of Arc, and her army as they passed through on their way from Orléans to Reims for the coronation of the Dauphin, France’s rightful king. Troyes was liberated again in 1944, this time from the Germans, by General George Patton and the Fourth Armored Division, along with Free French forces.