Troyes is famous for the timber-framed houses of its historic centre, such as those on the Rue de la Trinité (photo). The oldest of them were built after the terrible fire that destroyed nearly 1,500 houses in May 1524. The inhabitants cut down oak trees in the surrounding woods and rebuilt timber-framed houses, as stone was much more expensive. In the 1950s, the dilapidated and unhealthy timber-framed houses were abandoned in favour of modern buildings and entire districts were destroyed. Since 1990, the architectural heritage has been safeguarded and restorations subsidised by the municipality.