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But due to many things such as plague, politics and a change in
trade routes, this town diminished in importance over time and became dated
architecturally, although it is good news for us today, as there are approximately 2km of
ramparts that still remain in tact, which is more than can be said for many places in
France!
You can go for a lovely walk up and down cobbled streets in Provins and this town can be
great for a day trip, with many different attractions for the tourists.
Being an original fortified settlement, it gives rise to shows and re-enactments and you
can get to see demonstrations of different weapons the original settlement used along with
jousting techniques, jousting tournaments and battle scenes acted out. There is even
a medieval festival, which is held in Provins every year in June where you can get to see
people dressed in period costume, troubadours, dancers, crafts, etc.
And every day from April through until November you can get to see hunting birds such as
falcons and eagles that are on display whilst on your holiday
in France.
Although, as with most parts of France, you will find that there are more attractions to
see during the summer months, there are tourist attractions that are open all year, such
as the Tour de Cesar, also known as Caesars Tower and the surrounding defences, which was
built as a watchtower and prison.
There are lots of old buildings still in existence today, such as the church of St.
Quiriace that also owned property in the town and rented some of these out to merchants
during the months of the trade fairs to store their goods. La Grange aux Dimes, also known
as Tithe barn was one of these buildings and you can take a tour of this, which shows how
spice merchants, stone carvers and other merchants were able to flog their wares.
The building nearby called the Maison Romane is also an original from the 12th century and
now serves as a local history museum.
If, however, you have had enough of being above ground, you can take a tour of the tunnels
and passageways, known as Les Souterrains, that were dug out by hand and used during the
trading fairs to hold goods such as wine, fabrics and even gold.
Today, Provins is an attractive medieval walled town and is a world heritage site, that
attracts visitors from all over the world, yet is also a fantastic setting for a Christmas
market, where you will get to see, and buy, the local goods, whilst watching a live
performance of the nativity story!
And even though the town is still inhabited it is so well preserved, that you will feel
like stepping back in time, as Provins looks much as it did all those centuries ago.
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