France > France travel > Paris > Provins

Provins, Ile de France, travel guide

Visit Provins apartments hotels : car hire

Provins is to the south-east of Paris (take the Metz/Strasbourg motorway to junction 13, then follow the signs for Provins).

Although it existed in earlier times, Provins came into its own in 996, when the remains of Saint Ayoul were found in the town, prompting the drainage of the surrounding marshland and the construction of various religious buildings. It continued to grow and its markets and fairs during the early middle ages were held in wide repute. The largest middle age fair in Champagne was at Provins. By the end of the 13th century the town's importance had started to decline due to competition from other fairs.

Much remains of Provins from its heyday, making it a very interesting and attractive town to visit. The half-timbered houses, the fortifications and churches, along with some subterranean galleries that were once the meeting places of secret societies, all combine to give the illusion of having entered a different world. The town boasts an extraordinary 58 listed 'historical monuments'.

Caesar's Tower is perhaps the highlight, towering above the town and having good views over the countryside, with the Tithe Barn - historically a covered market - runing a close second, with room-by-room recreations of various middle-age trades.

Provins has the unusual distinction of making a wide range of products from roses, such as rose jam, rose confectionery and rose honey - it is claimed that the first rose was brought here from Damascus by Thibaud de Champagne.

It is well worth making a day trip to Provins from Paris.

Provins: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

Visit Provins, France   Paris apartments Paris hotels car hire

Travel, hotels and holiday gites, Provins

See the Visit Provins section above for gites and hotels local to the area. For more general French travel options, see the Gites in France listings, or French holidays for other holidays, and Travel to France for ferries, Provins car-hire, eurotunnel, cheap flights etc.

 

Places to visit - Provins

• Provins World Heritage Site

Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)

 

Information and photos of Provins, France

This Provins tourism guide, has information and holidays and photos when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.

 

Comments

You can help? Post a relevant comment for visitors to this page!