The Beautiful City's "Dormant Wood" awakes...
In 1964 Troyes, with 14 other towns in France, became a pilot city for the introduction of a 52 hectare preserved sector under the "Malraux" law.
Most of the houses in the city centre date from 1530, the time of the reconstruction following the famous Great Fire of 1524 after which our beautiful timber-frames were systematically covered with a grey rendering in order to protect them.
Under Sully and Colbert, the houses were hidden by roughcast, and corbelling was prohibited.
After four centuries of grisaille, Troyes regained its charm and colour. This constitutes a return to tradition in accordance with documents found in sketches and engravings from the time. The most popular success in this respect is a large shop right in the city centre.
Among other successful rehabilitations: one of the only houses remaining in Troyes dating from the 15th century "le Champ des Oiseaux" located a stone's throw from the Cathedral, (pink, pastel green, pale yellow); Nos. 46-48-50 Rue Kléber, or No. 32 (Maison du Dauphin – corner of Rue Célestin Philbois), (yellow, ochre, green, red tones, with painted decoration of stylised plants), the houses in Rue Emile Zola, etc...
