Comté de Champagne exhibition at Cité du vitrail in Troyes

The Cité du vitrail in Troyes presents 'Passavant li meillor!', the first major exhibition on the County of Champagne, covering the 10th to 14th centuries. Curated by Nicolas Dohrmann, director of Archives and Heritage of Aube, the show traces the county's rise as a powerful European principality until its annexation to France in 1361. The dense display prioritizes exhaustive historical detail over narrative flow, challenging general audiences. Highlights include a reliquary of the Holy Sepulchre from Pamplona Cathedral, a 13th-century goldsmith work; an embroidered altar frontal; and a remarkable set of 18 stained-glass panels from the 12th century, reunited for the first time. The exhibition becomes more accessible when addressing social diversity, Jewish community protection, and women's roles. It concludes with treasures from the library of Henry I the Liberal, showcasing enamel, goldsmithing, and illuminated manuscripts.