Troyes

Troyes, city in northeastern France, capital of Aube Department, in Champagne, on the Seine River. It is a commercial and manufacturing center; products include tires, hosiery, machinery, and processed food. The city has many historical structures, including the Church of Saint Urbain (begun 13th century), which contains the relics of Pope Urban IV, a native of Troyes, and the Cathedral of Saint Pierre et Saint Paul (13th-17th century). The city library has a fine collection. Troyes was early a major commercial center with widely attended annual trade fairs. The fairs set standards of weights and measures, such as the troy weight, which still is in use. In 1420, during the Hundred Years' War, the Treaty of Troyes was signed here; in the treaty Charles VI of France recognized Henry V of England as his heir and also as regent of France. The English, however, surrendered Troyes to Joan of Arc in 1429 as she escorted Charles VII to be crowned at Reims. Population (2005 estimate) 60,000.