Visitor Center and other Provins, France Things to Do Tips

Make this your first stop. The Visitor Center is next to the main parking area at the entrance to the walled town. Pick up a map of the town so you will have a sense of the location of the attractions (Caesar's Tower, the Grange, the Underground tour, etc.). But in this town, even the "non-attractions" are beautiful. Simply stroll around, soak up the ambiance, appreciate the glory of this ancient place.

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Website: http://www.provins.net/anglais/default.htm

This tower post-dates Caesar by hundreds of years. (Still, it is 800 years old, so it has a bit of history even though its name is misleading.) But legend has it that there was an older tower on the site. Climb up for awesome views.

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Address: Provins
Directions: Hard to miss: the tower is a strong presence in the Provins landscape!

During the Middle Ages, Provins served as a center of European commerce. Inside the Grange aux Dimes you will learn about the European artisians who sold their wares at the Champagne Fairs. Wax figures represent the various trades and merchants that were found in Provins. A recorded history is available in several languages; the recording explains each craft and the various merchants and their wares.

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Directions: In the Grange aux Dimes-- one of the first attractions you will find, on the left of the street you walk on to reach the center of the old town.

It is an amazing feeling, stepping into a building that was built more than 800 years ago. To imagine the people that passed through these rooms...

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There are spectacular vistas as you stroll along the walls (both inside and outside). You will find this view as you approach the walled town from the Visitor Center.

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Address: Provins

To access the underground tour, you need to walk down the hill and out of the walled town (the upper town). It is worth the detour!

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Address: Provins

The main square of the old town offers a well, an impressive view of the Caesar Tower, and several restaurants and cafés.

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Address: Place du Châtel

Another view of Place du Châtel, the main square. In the distance, the dome of the Saint Quiriace Church, and the Caesar Tower.

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Coinstruction on this church started in the 12th Century and was never finished. Various things got in the way: the 100 Years War, a fire, the decline of the Champagne Fairs that had brought people and economic power to Provins...

A much bigger cathedral had been envisioned, with two bell towers, stretching out to where the metal cross appears in front of the existing church. The existing facade is rather unattractive; it was constructed with the idea of its being a temporary step.

The unusual design of the church interior necessitated some spectacular vaults and arches. The current interior is, in one sense, a mish-mash of styles. On the other hand, there remain some incredible stone carvings. There is a touching statue of Jeanne d'Arc, who attended mass here.

The term "collegiate" stems from the fact that a college of canons was associated with this church. The role of a canon is to sing; seven times each day, the canons would sing proaise to God. If you are lucky (as we were on our most recent visit), you will hear this tradition continue.

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Directions: The church's zinc dome is a dominant landmark in the upper town.

A quiet place in front of Saint Quiriace church offers a bit of shade and a place to rest.

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Directions: This Place is in front of Saint Quiriace church.