Cité du Vitrail
Fascinating, modern, moving…
Discover stained glass as you’ve never seen it before.
The Cité du Vitrail, supported by the Département de l’Aube, is a centre for the interpretation and study of stained glass in the heart of Troyes. It is housed in the west wing of the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte, a remarkable 18th-century architectural ensemble listed as a Historic Monument.
Covering almost 3,000 m², discover the many facets of a cultural site unique in France.
Discover the permanent exhibition
Spread over 700 m², the permanent exhibition features over 60 original works, from the Middle Ages to the present day, at eye level, for a total immersion in the art of stained glass. Regularly renewed, the exhibition offers an educational approach to understanding and appreciating the art of stained glass in all its dimensions (cultural, stylistic, iconographic, etc.).
Let yourself be surprised by the temporary exhibitions
Each year, the Cité du Vitrail offers a varied program of themed exhibitions, sometimes surprising and unexpected, ephemeral installations and colorful strolls through its garden. Past exhibitions include: Francis Chigot: un monde lumières (2023), Notre-Dame de Paris: la querelle des vitraux – 1935-1965 (2024), Vitrail & BD (2025)…
Experience stained glass
The biannual cultural program allows everyone to experience the art of stained glass. Whether you’re a workshop visitor, an individual or a family, 2 years old or 77 years old, French or foreign, there’s always something to suit you: workshops to introduce you to stained glass or to practice on glass, guided tours, games for children, lectures, meetings with stained glass professionals, art therapy, festive events…
Extending the stained glass experience
Visiting the Cité du Vitrail also means setting out to conquer a whole new territory: Aube en Champagne, the European land of stained glass. With the Route du Vitrail (route-vitrail.fr), a free web application for smartphones, you can explore the roads of the Aube region, discovering the exceptional heritage of stained glass in over 70 listed buildings.
Enthusiasts looking for more in-depth research can take advantage of a specialized Resource and Documentation Centre (by appointment).
The little extras
Visiting the Cité du Vitrail with its unique admission ticket also means discovering an 18th-century historic hospital monument, recently restored by the Département de l’Aube: the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte (decoration, sundial, chapel, hospital life, garden and Apothecary’s). The Apothecary’s consists of a large room and an adjoining laboratory, both of which are open to visitors. Its extensive collection of earthenware pots and medicinal boxes (16th to 18th centuries) makes it one of the finest apothecaries in France.
The Cité du Vitrail also features temporary exhibitions organized by the Département de l’Aube, highlighting local historical heritage. In 2025, “Il était une fois Montréal, les champenois en Nouvelle-France”.
Finally, you can stroll through the alleys of your own garden, or relax with a breathtaking view of the prefecture’s basin and Troyes cathedral.
Practical information
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm (5pm from 1/11 to 31/03)*.
*closed on January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11, December 25
31 quai des Comtes de Champagne 10000 Troyes
[email protected]
https://cite-vitrail.fr/fr?utm_source=gmb
31 quai des Comtes de Champagne 10000 Troyes