Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich heritage, the town of Provins is a true medieval gem. From the unmissable Tour César to the Grange aux Dîmes, via its ramparts, its medieval festival and its Christmas Market provins literally catapults us back to the Middle Ages. “Per Horus, et per Râ! et per Solem” This is witchcraft, Messire!
Provins Champagne Fair
In the Middle Ages, the main Champagne fairs were held in Troyes, Lagny or Provins. .. From the year 1000, the urban layout of Provins was designed to accommodate all the merchants who contributed to making the town a leading European trading center .
For example, 3-storey merchant houses feature vaulted rooms for storing merchandise. The streets are deliberately wider to facilitate the passage of convoys and the location of stalls. In the 12th and 12th centuries, Provins reached its apogee with the famous Champagne Fairs, which declined in 1300. The cause? New trade routes, declining demographics and direct competition with Paris…
A Unesco World Heritage city
In the heart of the town, no fewer than 58 listed or registered historic monuments are waiting to be seen. In the 12th century, imposing ramparts were built to protect men and wealth, forming a 5km enclosure. With its rich architectural heritage, the famous medieval city has been on Unesco ‘s prestigious World Heritage list since 2001 .
What to see and do in Provins
There are a thousand wonders to see in Provins… A veritable city of history, Provins boasts a rich medieval town. It boasts 3 châteaux: Château Sigy, Château de Réveillon and Château de la Motte-Tilly, as well as the Saint-Ayoul priory. The town also boasts the mythical Tour César, a 12th-century donjon, and the Musée de Provins, which displays unique collections in one of its oldest buildings.
At the Grange aux dîmes, discover the trades and merchants of the period. Venturing into the underground world of Provins, you can also discover the city’s most mysterious places. In the heart of the medieval town of Provins, a wide range of events are on offer. Enjoy sword and dungeon shows, or take part in a typical medieval banquet, the “Banquet des Troubadours“.