Let me tell you about an off the beaten path City of my belle France , even if little pictures just found me some in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, My dear late wife Martine love shopping and we went all over for it, and took a peek around, The City of Troyes in the dept no 10 of the Aube in the region of Grand Est of my belle France, It is located in the historical and cultural region of Champagne, of which it was the county capital. It is crossed by the Seine. Only 164 km from Paris, 126 km from Reims, 101 km from Épernay , 154 km from Dijon, 182 km from Versailles,and 610 km from my current home, Therefore, let me tell you about the Basilique Saint Urbain of Troyes !!! !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Basilique Saint Urbain was built in the Gothic style, this large church was begun in the second half of the 13C by Pope Urbain IV, on the site of his birthplace, and was consecrated in 1389. However, work continued until the 19C. The exterior of the Basilica Saint Urban is an example of the Rayonnant Gothic style. The western façade consists of three 13C portals. The central portal is crowned by a sculpted tympanum depicting the Last Judgment.
The three-bay nave is made up of three nerfs. Sculpture is very present as in all churches of Troyes. There is a Sainte Barbe or Santa Barbara 16C (which is the patron saint of my native town). The view of the nave and the choir from the entrance is sublime. Note the impressive number of small columns on the pillars and arcades. See the wonderful choir organ.
The impressive Baptismal font 15C acquired during the demolition of the church of Saint-Jacques-aux-Nonnains by a master mason from Troyes named Chanté, who sold it to a baker to make a well curb in the courtyard of his house. It was dug up and served this purpose until 1849, when the owner sold his house to live on rue Notre-Dame. On leaving his old home, he gave it to the church of Saint-Urbain, his new parish, where it was returned to its former purpose. You see at the end the Chapel of the Virgin,
There is, also, one of the most beautiful washbasins of the 13C with a scene of the coronation of the Virgin as well as the two patrons of the basilica, on the right Cardinal Ancher and on the left Pope Urban IV. The north chapel with its stained glass window of the Visitation from the 13C. The south chapel with its stained-glass window of Mary with Grapes,
Jacques Pantaleon, born in Troyes and who became Pope Urban IV, had a collegiate church built in his hometown. Urban IV began work in 1262, but did not see the completion of the work. His nephew, Cardinal Ancher, continued his work. The unfinished collegiate church was consecrated in 1389, at which point construction was halted. During the French revolution, it was converted into a grain silo and became a parish church in 1802. It wasn’t until 500 years later, in 1893, that construction resumed. In 1964, Monsignor Julien Le Couêdic, Bishop of Troyes, had it elevated to a minor basilica.
The City of Troyes on its heritage : https://www.ville-troyes.fr/decouvrir-troyes/troyes-un-patrimoine-et-une-architecture-exceptionnels/
The Troyes Champagne tourist office on the Basilica Saint Urbain : https://en.troyeslachampagne.com/cultural-heritage/basilique-saint-urbain/
The Aube Champagne dept 10 tourist office on the Basilica Saint Urbain : https://www.troyeslachampagne.com/patrimoine-culturel/basilique-saint-urbain-2/
There you go folks,another wonderful off the beaten path city of Troyes. It is worth more time, and we will be back, eventually. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Basilique Saint Urbain of Troyes !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 