Local Information Maision Blanche is situated on the outskirts of Cirey sur Blaise. Although it is a small village it has one of the most famous chateaus in France where Voltaire lived for many years. The village has over the years attracted artists and artisans and in the centre of the village there is the art gallery of Aline Bienfait, a well known sculptress and artist. The gallery is open between 2 pm and 7 pm most day. Well worth a visit. The village has no shops but there are plenty of travelling shops and the bakery van arrives in the village every day except Wednesday around mid-day. The nearest shops to the house are in Doulevant le Chateau some 6 kilometres away. There is a bakery, a small supermarket, a newsagent, a restaurant/bar, a pharmacy, a post office and on two days a week a branch of Credit Agricole is open. On Monday morning there is a small market and on Wednesday from 6.30p.m. onwards a pizza van is in the village. There is a file in the house which gives the opening times of all the shops. In the opposite direction is Columbey les Deux Eglises. Best known as the home and burial site of General de Gaulle. You cannot miss the large Cross of St. Lorraine on the top of the hill which is the momument to him and well known as the symbol of the French Resistance during the Second World War. The village has a number of small restuarants and shops but is obviously very busy withy tourists during the summer season. The nearest towns are Bar sur Aube and Joinville both of which have markets, plenty of shops and large supermarkets. The two large towns are Chaumont and Troyes. Chaumont is the capital of Haute Marne and is a charming city with a famous viaduct. Troyes is a beautiful medieval city with many beautifully restored timber framed buildings and a cathedral at its heart. During the summer months the small streets are crammed with tables and chairs as diners sit outside listening to the local musicians on the stage outside the town hall. The city is famous for its 'andouillettes' and the cheese of Chaource. Troyes is famous as the city in Europe which has the largest number of outlet shops so a shoppers paradise. There are many museums and other points of interest. It is well worth going to the information office which can be found at 16 Boulevard Carnot as they have full details of all the attractions for the city and the region. Le Rivage is a trading name of Treasure Island Investments (UK) Limited. | Top | |