Get Lost In Troyes

There are cities you visit because they belong on every bucket list. You arrive with a checklist, a carefully saved Google Map, and the feeling that you need to see everything before you leave.

And then there are places like Troyes. Places you never expected to fall in love with. When we rolled into Troyes the day before, we almost bypassed the historic centre. I’d heard the Tour Leader Balazs say it was beautiful, but honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. The following morning was my rest day. Like any responsible traveller, I did what we’re all guilty of doing these days. I opened Google Maps, asked ChatGPT to build me the perfect walking route, pinned all the places I “had to see,” and confidently headed into town.

That plan lasted about five minutes.

Because Troyes has a habit of distracting you.

You spot a tiny medieval alley and think, I’ll just peek in for a second. Then another. Then a hidden courtyard. Then a bakery that smells too good to walk past. Then a little square full of people lingering over lunch. Before you know it, your phone is back in your pocket. The map is forgotten. You’re no longer trying to “see Troyes.” You’re simply wandering through it. And that’s when the city starts revealing itself.

Could I tell you to visit the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul? Sure. You’ll probably end up there anyway. Should you walk down Rue Émile Zola? Chances are, you will. Should you find Ruelle des Chats? Somehow, Troyes will make sure you do. That’s the beauty of this place. You don’t have to chase its highlights. They quietly appear when they’re supposed to.

Eventually you’ll get hungry. Don’t overthink it. Look around, pick the nearest café, and sit down. Just make sure you’ve learned one important French lesson first: restaurants serve lunch when they serve lunch (between 12 and 1 pm). Miss the service, and the kitchen is closed. But even that’s not really a problem. Find the nearest boulangerie instead. Grab a fresh baguette, a slice of quiche, maybe something sweet for later, and find a shady bench or a little square with a fountain. And that might end up being the better meal. So this isn’t really a guide to Troyes, It’s suggestion to get lost. Put your phone away, ignore your map, take the next little street that catches your eye and trust the city. It knows where it’s taking you.

And one more thing.

What are you doing to me, Istanbul Express?

Day one, you gave me one of the most unforgettable arrivals I’ve ever experienced, rolling into Provins. Day two, you casually introduced me to Troyes… and then had the audacity to schedule a rest day here. If this is only the beginning, I genuinely have no idea what the rest of this journey has in store. No wonder Istanbul Express (formally the ‘Orient Express’) has become one of TDA’s most loved tours. I’m only a few days in…and I’m already wondering how this tour plans to top itself.