Region

Our region was a wing region for the Romans. The historic battle of the Gallic tribes (140,000 freedom fighters) against the Romans (30,000 soldiers and Julius Ceasar) was fought in Alesia around 52 BC. All the ancient defenses of both Romans and the Gauls can still be admired there. Alesia is half an hour away.

Witnesses are also the ruins (4 hectares) of an ancient Roman city a 20-minute drive away. These ruins are located at the top of a hill that overlooks the entire region. The nice thing is that there is a Celtic district and a Roman district. Which indicates that both people lived together in harmony.

The largest and unique treasure of the Celts is found in the village of ‘Vix’ a 5-minute drive from Château des Tertres. The treasure itself can be viewed in the nearby museum at Chatillion-sur-Seine.

In various villages you can also find beautiful Romanesque churches from the 9th century.

The Château de Chacenay is a fantastic testimony to medieval history. The main building was built around the year 900, the other buildings in the following centuries. The interior is still authentic from the 10th century with leather wall decorations, sculpted stairs, … You have never seen this. The castle is privately owned but can be visited with small groups.

Other sites from the Middle Ages are the ruins of the castle belonging to the Dukes of Burgundy in Bar-sur-Seine, the center of Riceys-Haut, the city walls, salt pits, the hermit house in Mussy-sur-Seine, … There are also dozens of churches from the 13th, 14th, 15 century. The Collegiate of Mussy-sur-Seine is one of the most famous because of its stained glass windows (the Bishops of Langres had their winter residence here and spent quite a bit of money on the church). Or visit the abbey of Molesmes (founded in 1075) and residence of several Saints and Kings.

In a radius of 40 kilometers you will find dozens of castles, abbeys, and city centers. Troyes, is a gem where the entire city center dates from 1524 – 1544. The entire city center consists of authentic mansions owned by merchants and owners of the clothing industry. Troyes is also a very pleasant shopping and walking city (Master Caffet, world champion chocolate works, has his studio and shop there). However, Troyes is primarily known for its excellent women’s clothing. Gentlemen, be warned …

There are also many castles from the Napoleonic period, including Château des Tetres.

Renoir has spent almost his entire life in Essoyes. Essoyes is on the other side of the forest that borders the castle domain of ‘Château des Tertres’. This picturesque village has several museums set up around Renoir. Visit the places where he has made his famous paintings or view his home.

The visit to Renoir is in strong contrast to the many war monuments in this region. Thousand of resistance fighter hid in the forest of Mussy – Grancey and Essoyes. This has led to many atrocities by the SS and the Wehrmacht. The horror of the local population against the ‘barbaric’ rulers is clearly visible. Even on the castle grounds of ‘Château des Tertres’ you can find a monument for fallen resistance fighters.