An hour and a half from Paris, the city of Troyes is in Champagne, a region in the northeast of France. The pride of the city is its collection of half- timbered houses, called "colombages." These traditional buildings have been built in Europe since the Middle Ages and there are many remaining in Troyes. From the 12th to the 13th centuries, Troyes thrived as a center for trade. These days, a local specialty, andouillettes is a popular treat as well as wine tasting in a cellar from the 13th century.
