Palais épiscopal de Troyes

The Episcopal Palace of Troyes (Palais épiscopal de Troyes) once served as the residence of the bishops of Troyes and still stands on Place Saint-Pierre, right beside the cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, in the historic heart of this city in the Aube department.

What does the building look like today?

The palace visitors see today was built during the 16th and 17th centuries, replacing an earlier medieval bishop's residence on the same site. It has been listed as a French historic monument since February 10, 1909, a status that reflects both its architectural quality and its importance to the city's heritage. The building is owned by the municipality of Troyes, which has maintained it over the decades and reopened it to the public in an entirely new capacity.

What can you actually visit inside?

Since 1982, following a major restoration, the former episcopal palace has housed the Musée d'Art Moderne, home to the national collections of Pierre and Denise Lévy. It ranks among Troyes' most significant cultural attractions and stands as a striking example of a religious and residential building repurposed as a modern museum.

The collection holds more than 2,000 works created between 1850 and 1950. It was assembled by textile industrialist Pierre Lévy and his wife Denise, who donated the entire collection to the French state in 1976. Fauvism occupies a particularly prominent place among the holdings, making Troyes home to one of the richest Fauvist collections in France. Visitors can see works by artists including André Derain, Georges Braque, Maurice de Vlaminck, Amedeo Modigliani, Chaïm Soutine, and Raoul Dufy. Beyond paintings and sculpture, the museum also displays art glass alongside African and Oceanic art, adding an unexpected global dimension to the collection.

Why does this stop matter for a visit to Troyes?

The episcopal palace rewards visitors on two levels at once. Architecturally, it offers a chance to see an elegant early modern residence from an era when the bishops of Troyes held real influence over civic and regional life in Champagne. Culturally, it delivers access to one of the strongest modern art collections found anywhere in provincial France — a genuine surprise for a city of Troyes' size. Because the cathedral sits right next door, the two landmarks naturally form a single stop on any walk through the old town.

It's worth noting the palace isn't the only heritage-focused site in Troyes dealing with visual arts. Nearby, inside the former Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte, the Cité du Vitrail celebrates the city's long tradition of stained glass. The two are sometimes confused given their proximity and shared artistic focus, so travelers with enough time should plan to see both.

Frequently asked questions

What is housed in the Episcopal Palace of Troyes today? Since 1982 the building has held the Musée d'Art Moderne, showcasing the Pierre and Denise Lévy collection — over 2,000 works from 1850 to 1950, including a major Fauvist holding.

When was the palace built? The structure standing today dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, though an earlier bishop's residence occupied the site before that.

Is the palace a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since February 10, 1909.

Is this the same place as the Cité du Vitrail? No. The Cité du Vitrail is a separate institution located in the nearby Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte, dedicated to stained glass, though both sites are within easy walking distance in central Troyes.