4 unmissable and unusual family experiences in Aube

A treasure hunt in the medieval town of Troyes

Just 1? hours from Paris by train, a visit to Troyes is a great idea for couples or families looking to discover new things.

You'll love wandering around the medieval old town, with its many timber-framed houses and shops.

These include the Rue Champeaux and the surrounding streets, as well as the Ruelle des Chats, one of the best-known. And to make the walk even more fun for your children, we recommend that you take along the Kid'Jouer booklet, for ages 4/7 or 8/12.

With these 32-page booklets, your children won't be dragging their feet, but will enjoy trying to find the answers to the various riddles and questions posed in the booklet.

It's a way of making the walk instructive and interesting for young and old alike. One of the booklets allows you to look for (and find) the animals in the town, like the cat in the wood that you wouldn't normally see if you went by...

Length of tour: approx. 2h30. Booklets available from the Troyes Tourist Office for €3.

Meet the gentle alpacas

We usually see them in South America, in the Andes, far from home... But you'll have the chance to see alpacas, less than 30 minutes from Troyes.

The Aux Poils d'Assenay farm is one of the places you absolutely must visit on a family holiday in Aube.

Far from the peaks of Peru, meet these very cute animals with their soft fur... Before trying to distinguish them from llamas or huarizos (a mix of llama and alpaca), who are also present.

These animals are not shy and it's a real pleasure to see them frolicking around, having fun and coming to meet us to eat a few seeds... But the visit doesn't stop there.

Alpacas are famous for their silky, often expensive wool. The owners of the farm make their own clothes (socks, scarves, etc.) and are happy to explain the manufacturing process.

In the shop, you'll find a range of items made from the warm, precious alpaca wool.

And if your child hasn't had his fill of animals yet, the sheep and rabbits right next door will fill him with joy!

Visit the Aux Poils d'Assenay farm: book by phone Monday to Saturday (8am-12pm; 2.30pm-7pm) at 0625001231. Price: €8/child and €10/adult for half a day.

A breath of fresh air in the Forêt d'Orient: cycling, boating and wildlife

In search of wide open spaces, we're heading for the Forêt d'Orient Regional Nature Park. Just 30 minutes from Troyes, this park includes several lakes and the magnificent Orient Forest.

This unspoilt area offers a host of activities, from swimming and water sports to walking and cycling.

On a greenway, you can cycle around Lac d'Orient, then along Lac du Temple and Lac Amance, depending on your mood and ability. There is also a cycle path linking Troyes to the Orient forest for cycling enthusiasts.

For our part, we hired bikes from Ora Aventure on the beach at Géraudot and set off on an adventure around Lac d'Orient. Accompanied by our little boy, who was over the moon, we made our way to the Espace Faune.

It's a vast 50-hectare area where you can observe animals such as deer, bison, auroch and tarpan... It's a relaxing place where you can spend several hours walking along the paths before setting off on your bike.

Back at Lac d'Orient, we ended the day with a boat trip in the Champagne bayou in the company of Maximilien, a very friendly and relevant nature guide.

This is how we discovered the submerged forest of Lac d'Orient, with its impressive willows and its many dragonflies! A moment out of time, to the sound of birdsong...

Châteaux and champagne for all the family

Follow in the footsteps of the past through the architecture and history of the châteaux of Aube! Just a 35-minute drive from Troyes, there's the lovely château of Vaux-en-Champagne.

This one has the particularity of having been acquired a few years ago by a very young owner, who is multiplying the attractions on site to attract visitors, from the youngest to the oldest.

So we embark on an investigation, with the help of Vidocq, in which you are the main character. It's up to you to find the items hidden in the château and solve the enigma.

You can visit the château from May to the end of October, at times that vary according to the season. The price is €8/child and €10/adult, including the "Vidocq's Ghost" investigation.

Outside, in the park, you'll find a host of fun and surprising attractions to keep the whole family entertained (giant chess, various wooden games, etc.).

To round off the day in style, let's head for the Champagne vineyards. Away from the big champagne houses nearby, several family-run estates in the Aube region will be delighted to welcome you and share their expertise in the world of bubbles.

Bonus: an unusual night in a castle

It's possible to sleep in a castle! Go to Château de Brantigny, just 10 minutes from the lake and the Forêt d'Orient.

For one night or more, you can experience life in a château in one of the rooms in the 18th-century building.

The grounds are extensive, allowing you to wander between ponds, meadows and animals (sheep, goats, etc.). An original and affordable experience.

Prices: from €110/night, including breakfast. Prices and contact details are available on the Château de Brantigny website.