Bar-Sur-Aube: History, views and hiking trails

Bar-Sur-Aube brings together historic buildings, archaeological traces and outdoor activities. The Motte féodale & Château Gaillard dates back to the 10th century; churches, a former monastic section of the Hôtel de Ville and a Celtic oppidum add further points of interest. There is also a park along the Aube, hiking trails of varying lengths and opportunities to enjoy the views. For your stay, you can choose between architectural and urban history, a shorter or longer hike, and time outdoors.

History in buildings and public spaces

The Motte féodale & Château Gaillard is a partially ruined fortification built by the Counts of Bar in the 10th century. Only a few castle mounds of this kind have survived in France. Here, early architectural history meets the remains that can still be seen today—a striking landmark for anyone interested in medieval fortifications.

The Église Saint-Pierre also reveals several historical layers. The church was built in the 12th century; its Halloy dates from the 14th century. During the Foires de Champagne, this Halloy sheltered merchants. The church building and the Halloy’s practical role for traders thus belong to different chapters in the town’s history.

The surviving tower of the church of Saint-Maclou was once a tower of the castle of the Counts of Champagne; remains of the castle have also survived there. The Hôtel de Ville is partly housed in the former Ursuline convent. This convent was established in 1634 to educate young girls. Together, the churches, the former castle tower and the convent connection offer different ways to explore Bar-Sur-Aube’s architectural history.

Views and outdoor activities

On Colline Sainte-Germaine, near the chapel and the orientation table, the ditches and earthworks of a Celtic oppidum have been preserved. There is also a viewpoint with panoramic views. The hill therefore combines archaeological traces with a place to enjoy the view. You can also take off from here on a paragliding flight and fly over the Barsuraubois.

The Parc de la Gravière along the Aube offers a different way to spend time outdoors. The park has space to relax, picnic and play sports. Outdoor options range from a riverside park for a variety of leisure activities to the viewpoint and paragliding launch site on Colline Sainte-Germaine.

Hiking trails by distance

Two named trails of notably different lengths are available for planning your hike: the PR4® La Queue de Renard is 5 kilometres long, while the PR2® Circuit Gaston Cheq is 19.5 kilometres long. If trail length matters to your choice, the PR4® is the shorter option; the difference between the two routes is 14.5 kilometres. This comparison gives you a clear sense of the difference in distance without requiring you to assume a walking time or difficulty level.

Explore the town with a regional tasting

The Circuit de la Paume consists of ten numbered, paved stops. The Circuit’s guided town tours include a tasting of regional products. This adds a culinary element to the stops: on this type of town tour, explanations are paired with a sample of regional products.

If you choose Bar-Sur-Aube for a stay, you’ll find several distinct points of interest: historic buildings from different periods, archaeological remains and views from Colline Sainte-Germaine, as well as trails and outdoor activities. The different trail lengths also help you tailor your hiking plans to the distance you have in mind.

Discover more destinations: Précy-Saint-Martin, Rosières-Près-Troyes, Arcis-Sur-Aube, Saint-André-Les-Vergers, Précy-Notre-Dame, Auxon, Lesmont, Rouilly-Sacey.

For the broader travel overview: Aube.