La Maison du Dauphin – The Dauphin’s House

At the corner of Rue Kléber, you’ll find the oldest half-timbered house in Troyes—an absolute gem known as “La Maison du Dauphin,” or the Dauphin’s House. Built in 1472, this beautifully restored building gets its name from a carved coat of arms on one of its beams. The emblem shows the arms of the Dauphin of France—the title given to the heir to the throne, the king’s eldest son. Why this royal symbol ended up here is still a bit of a mystery. Maybe the draper who lived here once supplied goods to the royal court, or perhaps he had the rare honor of meeting the dauphin himself—possibly the son of King Francis I. In October 2024, the city of Troyes bought the house from its previous owners, who had decided to sell, opening a new chapter for this beloved, famously leaning house—officially listed as a historic monument, and unofficially cherished in the hearts of the locals.