A gastronomic tour in Troyes with the Maison Maury, the Prunelle, the Maison Caffet, the BAM and Le Jardin restaurants, while staying at the Hotel De La Poste!
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The city of Troyes perfectly embodies the Champagne art of living, combining a warm welcome with gastronomic pleasures. Champagne of course occupies a place of honor, Troyes being half an hour from the vineyards of the Côte-des-Bar and Montgueux, the main grape producers in Champagne after the Marne department. The region is also distinguished by the Rosé-des-Riceys, a still wine from the village of Riceys, appreciated since the reign of Louis XIV. This wine pairs wonderfully with local specialties, such as the creamy Chaource cheese or the unmissable andouillette de Troyes, promoted by the AAAAA (as Association Amicale des Amateurs d’Andouillette Authentique). Troyes is also renowned for shopping, with one of the largest outlet centers in France, located in Saint-Julien-les-Villas and Pont-Sainte-Marie, highlighting its rich industrial past.
Apart from this, the local liqueur, Prunelle de Troyes, made since 1840 and famous for its secret recipe, can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with dessert, ideal for bringing back a typical souvenir. At last, for chocolate lovers, the shop of Pascal Caffet, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and world champion of dessert professions, is an essential stopover. His refined creations, prized as far as Japan, will delight gourmets. By AP
We start with Patrick Maury, a passionate artisan charcutier, recognized worldwide for his talent and his commitment to the andouillette de Troyes. Located opposite the Troyes market halls, he fervently defends this typical product of the region, often poorly perceived, but which he elevates to the rank of exceptional dish. For him, the andouillette must give off a subtle perfume, without unpleasant odor, a sign of quality and authenticity. The Maison Maury, founded in 1969, is a true family affair. Formerly run by Irène, Patrick‘s mother, it is now in his expert hands, as well as those of her son Maxime (photo credits: AP).
At the Maury family, the love of andouillette is passed down from generation to generation. Thus, Patrick, a true ambassador of the product, even goes so far as to add a touch of Champagne to enhance the taste. Rewarded with numerous awards, Patrick Maury has also been the andouillette European champion since 2008 and winner of several distinctions for his creations in charcuterie, foie gras and even black pudding. His bygone styled shop attracts lovers of local products and offers delicate andouillettes, that requires 12 hours of preparation, ideal to enjoy as an aperitif or accompanied by a Chablis sauce.
Charcuterie Maury, 28 Rue Général de Gaulle, 10000 Troyes 03 25 73 06 84. More details on their official website.
If you want to taste some andouillette (but not from Maison Maury here), you may stop at Le Jardin restaurant. Located in the old city center, this restaurant seduces with its artistic decor, combining vintage furniture and contemporary touches. With its green patio, it invites you to relax, offering a unique setting, where gastronomy meets nature. The cuisine, both healthy and refined, revisits the classics with modernity and creativity, such as the unmissable andouillette de Troyes, enhanced with a modern touch. Each plate is a colorful and graphic composition, which awakens the eyes as much as any taste buds.
Since its reopening a year ago, this place has built a solid reputation, thanks to its trendy atmosphere, inspired by the fifties, and its attentive service. The chef, sensitive to aesthetics, offers carefully prepared dishes, such as the zucchini velouté with curry and coconut, the haddock fillet with shrimp bisque or even generous profiteroles, without forgetting an essential champagne cup! With an advantageous lunch formula, this restaurant embodies a certain revival of bistros, mixing tradition and modernity for the pleasure of all gourmets.
Le Jardin restaurant, 31 rue Paillot de Montabert, 10000 Troyes (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)3 25 73 36 13. More details on their official website.
For more alternative specialities, you may have a stop at BAM restaurant (for “Bar à Manger”). Open since 2020 by Thomas Dijon, this confidential address is located in the heart of the Mortier d’Or courtyard in Troyes, surrounded by old half-timbered houses. This restaurant offers some true inventive cuisine, that is renewed every day, inspired by arrivals and seasons. For starters, customers could, for example, enjoy a spicy tuna tartare or some flame-grilled mackerel, before savoring a hot dish, such as brill fillet, accompanied by einkorn and shellfish juice.
To finish, a platter of local cheeses or a refined dessert, such as a composition of parsnips and drained yogurt, as a crowning final. For your information, the chef Thomas Dijon, already well known in Troyes for his first restaurant Chez Maxime, stands out here again for his warm and intimate approach, welcoming his customers like at a guest table. Both chef and sommelier, he personally provides service and even advises on the right wine. Recently started, wine tasting workshops will be offered in the restaurant’s vaulted cellar, providing an immersive experience for food and wine lovers.
BAM restaurant, 1 cour du Mortier D’or, 10000 Troyes (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)9 53 18 45 31. More details on their official website.
Thereafter, for sweet delights, the Maison Caffet, rooted in the art of pastry and chocolate making since 1954 in Troyes, seduces with its know-how and innovation. Founded by Bernard Caffet and taken over by his son Pascal in 1986, it is today a symbol of excellence. Thus, Pascal Caffet, a passionate visionary, restored the nobility of praline, a product that was not very popular at the time, and won the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in pastry in 1989, followed by the title of World Champion of Dessert Trades in 1995. The boutiques, located in France and internationally, offer a unique taste experience with pralines, chocolates, macaroons and refined pastries, created from carefully selected raw materials.
Therefore, Maison Caffet embodies some true refinement and innovation, continually striving for perfection, and is labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, obtained in 2014, a tribute to its expertise and creativity.
Maison Caffet, 2 rue Monnaie, 10000 Troyes (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)3 25 73 35 73. More details on their official website.
Moreover, the Prunelle de Troyes, a refined liqueur made from sloe stones, has been produced since 1840 in the heart of Troyes, in the famous Cellier Saint-Pierre distillery, located opposite the cathedral. This iconic beverage, formerly called Prunelle de Champagne, saw its name change in 1995 at the request of the Champagne wine committee, in order to avoid any confusion with the prestigious sparkling wine. Developed in accordance with its original recipe, the Prunelle de Troyes can be either enjoyed as a digestif, on ice or in a cocktail, and is distinguished by complex notes, resulting from a double distillation and a clever blend of natural ingredients.
The Cellier Saint-Pierre, dating from the 12th century, originally served as a tithe cellar and is today a historic place, where the tradition is perpetuated, thanks to the copper stills, heated by a wood fire. Since 2003, Alexandre Krumenacher, joined in 2022 by Tristan Masson, has perpetuated this ancestral distillation art. By the way, each year, the Confrérie de la Prunelle de Troyes animates a local tradition, by inducting new knights, thus strengthening the promotion of regional gastronomy. This annual event, established in 2013, attracts restaurateurs, journalists and lovers of this unique liqueur, who together celebrate a heritage that is both historical and tasteful. The Cellier also hosts events but also offers a wide selection of wines and spirits.
Prunelle de Troyes by Le Cellier Saint Pierre, 1 place Saint Pierre, 10000 Troyes (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)3 25 80 59 25. More details on their official website.
The Best Western Premier Hotel de La Poste & Spa is ideally located in the heart of the historic centre of Troyes, in Champagne-Ardenne, in a pedestrian area and in an emblematic building, dating from the 16th century. Formerly a post office, this place has been restored to combine modern comfort and old-world charm, while adopting a unique decoration, inspired by horses and carriages, as a tribute to its past. The hotel offers a free Nuxe spa, where guests can enjoy a sauna, a hammam and a sensory shower, perfect for unwinding, after a day of discovery. For optimal relaxation, massages and treatments are also available for an additional fee. Each room is individually decorated, mixing old beams and more modern touches, creating a unique atmosphere, and includes modern amenities, like a private bathroom (featuring a balneotherapy bathtub in the suites), a flat-screen satellite TV (including Canal+), a minibar, along air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.
In the morning, a varied buffet breakfast is offered, offering an ideal start to the day. Furthermore, the hotel benefits from a central location, with many monuments and restaurants within walking distance, allowing visitors to enjoy the local gastronomy. For example, the establishment is just situated five minutes away from the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral, another major attraction in Troyes. Its reception desk is open 24 hours/7, and a secure parking is available on site, for an additional fee, convenient for those wishing to explore the region by car. In addition to its privileged location, this four-star hotel is a true haven of peace for all those wishing to discover Troyes, while enjoying refined comfort and attentive service.
Best Western Hotel De La Poste, 35 rue Emile Zola, 10000 Troyes (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)3 25 73 05 05. More details on their official website.
