Place la Libération - Troyes

In the Middle Ages, the Place de la Libération was a place where those in power ruled over a relatively small area: the Notre-Dame-aux-Nonnains Abbey was located here, between the Saint Urbain Basilica and the Palace of the Counts of Champagne, and the Saint Etienne Collegiate Church on what is now the Place du Préau.

On the Place de la Libération, a place steeped in history, stands the church of Saint-Jacques-aux-Nonnains , which was part of the abbey of Notre-Dame-aux-Nonnains. In 1794, a large part of the buildings were destroyed and the remains became the prefecture of the Aube. The church was destroyed in 1796. After the demolition of the former abbey church, two market halls were built in succession on the vacant square: the market hall of Milony, followed by the grain market of Pierre Gauthier in 1836. In 1912, a garden was created with a sculpture by Auguste Suchetet (a sculptor from the Aube region) entitled "Le Rapt" , on the site of the former cemetery.

The installation of an underground car park in the middle of the Place de la Libération was the driving force behind the redevelopment of the site. The composition of old rose bushes in the medieval garden is enhanced by white lights. On the east side, contrasts of warm colours reinforce the presence of the large foliage and the sparkling gardens.

Willem Vandenameele