Vineyards, fields and forests shape the Circuit de Macey – Vignoble walking route; from the heights, views stretch across the Troyes plain to the city. Macey is also home to the Église Saint-Martin, with features from several centuries, and an observatory. This lets you choose different focuses for your stay: scenery and activity, church architecture and art, or stargazing.
Heights, valleys and paths through the countryside
Macey lies in the valleys at the foot of the Pays d'Othe. The landscape includes wooded hills and fields that roll down towards the plain. From the elevated position, there are open views of Troyes, especially striking at night. The views and landscape are two sides of the same place: the heights open up the view, while forests and fields shape the surroundings of the plain.
The Circuit de Macey – Vignoble is a walking route through vineyards, fields and forests. Along the way, views stretch across the Troyes plain and over Troyes. The route thus connects different landscape features with expansive views. If you choose Macey for walking, the focus is not just on a single viewpoint, but on a trail through several of the landscapes associated with the area. You should not assume a particular walking time or difficulty level; plan according to the conditions that suit you.
Romanesque features and art at the Église Saint-Martin
The Église Saint-Martin combines Romanesque features with parts dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. The nave and portal are Romanesque; the rest of the building dates from the two later centuries. The stained-glass windows also date from the 16th century and are classified as historic monuments. The church thus brings together different periods of construction and a particularly noteworthy set of windows.
The church also contains an almost five-metre-long 16th-century triptych. It is painted in oil on canvas, mounted on three connected wooden panels. Its dimensions, materials and three-part form make it a distinctive work of art alongside the church's architectural features. The nave, portal, windows and triptych each offer their own point of cultural and historical interest at the Église Saint-Martin. If you are interested in architectural history, you can explore both the Romanesque features and works and building elements from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Stargazing and another outdoor option
The Aube astronomy association has set up an observatory on the heights of Macey. It offers ideal conditions for observing the sky and adds astronomy to the themes of walking and heritage. If you plan to visit the observatory, check in advance whether a visit is possible.
An all-terrain scooter route runs from Montgueux to Macey through forests and along paths. Check booking requirements and availability before your trip. Compared with the walk through vineyards, fields and forests, the scooter route is another way to include Macey in an outdoor itinerary: one is described as a walk with views across the plain, while the other is a route between Montgueux and Macey. Which activity takes priority depends mainly on whether you are looking for a walk or a scooter route. For trip planning, you can consider the landscape, church architecture and stargazing as different interests without turning them into a fixed day-by-day itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Bagneux-La-Fosse, Nogent-Sur-Seine, Vosnon, Précy-Saint-Martin, Ferreux-Quincey, Mussy-Sur-Seine, Bouilly
For the full travel overview: Aube.
