Around The World

It's a beautiful day in France, and I've decided to take a day trip to Provins, a medieval fair town which is 80 minutes away from Paris. 

First, started the day with a hearty french breakfast in one of the cafes near the train station. French style breakfast - Croissant, Baguette, Omlette, Juice, Coffee - simple continental style. 

Getting to Provins

Take a train (RER) from Gare de l'est. Provins is in zone 5, and I would think the cheapest alternative would be buying a Moilis day pass Zone 1-5 for 16.50euros.

Getting Around Provins

There are buses/minivans that runs around the town hourly, and there's a stop right outside the train station. However we are unable to understand the buses as it is all in French. Provins isn't exactly very tourist friendly so it was a little tough initially. 

After getting off the train we were abit lost and didn't know where to go without a map, so this is the map I found online! After missing the bus, we decided to get on our foot and head to the tourist office as indicated by the signs being put up. We followed the signs but still couldn't see the tourist office in sight. So instead, we headed to the medieval cite to the upper grounds. We were joking like how the "tourist office" sign leads you around the whole town and by the time when you have reached the tourist office, you have seen everything in the town that you won't need to head there anymore.

                                                        Introduction to Provins

Provins is one of the best preserved medieval cities in France. Every street corner evokes the great splendour of the old capital of the Counts of Champagne. In the 12th and 13th centuries, these great feudal lords offended the kings of France, defying them from the ramparts. 

They were the first to introduce a passpoer ensuring safe passage across their territory for the merchants. Thanks to this guarantee, the fairs of provins became the most important in Europe. Once one of the first financial markets in Europe, the city's prosperity declined in a few decades at the beginning of the 14th century. The modification of the commercial routes, wars, plauges, the slow dissapearance of fairs, as well as the joining of the lands of Brie and Champagne to the kingdom of France led to the town's decline. But this fall from grace enabled provins to become an extremely well preserved town of the Middle Ages.

The Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church

Erexted in the 12th century by the will of COunt Henri le Liberal, it has never been completed due to the French kingdom's financial difficulties under the reign of Philippe le Bel. The dome was built in the 17th century following a fire. 

Caesar's Tower

This keep was built in the 12th century as a symol of the counts of Champagne's power. It was used as a watch tower, prison, bell tower. The scenography will take you back in time to give you a glimpse of the everyday life at the castle 8 centuries ago. The last floor offers a panoramic view over the town and it's a beautiful sight. 

View from the top of the tower - a beautiful view of the town.

        

        

 

Initially there were 6 bells, but the remaining were destroyed.

Souvenir shops selling local products. Roses are their local produce and many of the items are made of roses. The shopkeeper was really friendly and gave us try some of the rose products she made - rose honey, rose liquer and rose jam. The rose jam is very unique - basically eating petals of roses filled with cirtus jam. Totally sold by it and bought a jar at 8euros. She made the products personally so it was pretty organic and natural!

Road to the ramparts

Finally at the Saint- Jean's gate and ramparts

These splendid fortified walls were built in the 13th century, has are still in the process of being restored. The gate ensured the protection of the old road to Paris.