Cité du Vitrail

About the museum

In 2011, the Conseil départemental de l'Aube decided to create a centre devoted to stained glass in Troyes. A 250 m² preliminary space opened in June 2013 in the former outbuildings of the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte; free of charge until December 2018, it welcomed around 170,000 visitors.

This success led the Département to restore the west wing of the Hôtel-Dieu to house the Cité du Vitrail proper. After four years of works, the site covers about 3,000 m². Its aim is to explain the art of stained glass and show it at eye level, which is rarely possible in churches. The Aube holds more than 1,100 ancient stained-glass windows in about 350 buildings.

The Cité has no permanent collection of its own: it exhibits works lent by museums, artists and heritage services, as well as stained-glass panels removed for restoration before returning to their buildings. It also hosts researchers and restorers, and the Route du Vitrail extends the visit to churches across the region.

Highlights

• Permanent route over four levels to understand and read a stained-glass window
• Stained-glass gallery in the former infirmary ward
• Treasury with the oldest known stained-glass panel from Troyes, dating from the 12th century
• Hôtel-Dieu chapel with restored murals
• Apothicairerie of the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte
• Garden and Route du Vitrail in the Aube

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent – A route from the third floor to the chapel explaining the history of stained glass in eleven chapters and the stages of its creation, with original windows displayed at eye level.
• Galerie des vitraux – The former infirmary ward, bathed in natural light, displays stained-glass windows of varied origins and periods; part of the display is renewed every year.
• Salle du trésor – A small dark room showing the oldest known stained-glass panel from Troyes, dating from the 12th century, with mirrors to see its outer side.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Département de l'Aube

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month

The €7 ticket gives access to the Cité du Vitrail and the Apothicairerie and is valid for one day. Also free on proof for job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits, holders of the press card, the Pass Éducation, the ICOM card or the Ministry of Culture card, and for guides-conférenciers. A valid City Pass is accepted. A full price list is published on the website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The four-level permanent route is presented as fully accessible. At reception, visitors can borrow a wheelchair, a seat cane, illuminated magnifiers, monoculars, a tactile map and audioguides. A tactile model of the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte and a tactile device in the chapel are available; the tour “Le vitrail en 3 dimensions” is audio-described. Videos in French Sign Language are available, and visits can be adapted for deaf groups with an interpreter. Two free disabled parking spaces are located on the side of 1 rue Roger Salengro; you must call to have access opened.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

The route includes a space for children. A hide-and-seek game can be borrowed at reception. Early-learning workshops for children aged 3 to 36 months and storytelling tours for parents and children are offered on certain dates. Baby changing table in the reception toilets; a stroller can be borrowed.

Getting there & parking

Entrances at 31 quai des Comtes-de-Champagne and 1 rue Roger Salengro. Bicycle parking inside the site (entrance rue Roger Salengro); self-service bike station “Le Marcel” 76 m away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Free self-service lockers. Bookshop-shop with about 50 titles, souvenirs and creations by master glassmakers from the Aube. Toilets at reception and on the second floor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit