What to do and see in Provins, Ile-de-France: The Best Historic Sites

An historical Equestrian falconry show. Take a flight of fancy...in the open-air Ramparts Theatre of Provins and let's tell the story of falconry through various cultures... A splendid aerial ballet of birds of prey, in perfect harmony with horses is waiting for you. From the origin with the arabian falconers to the kazakh eaglers, from the medieval feudalism to the fantastic, visitors will follow the birds of prey through these changing worlds and fall under the spell of their aerial feats. During the show you can see several species of birds : eagles, hawks, buzzards, kites, vultures, caracaras, owls and secretary birds... After the show, visit one of the greatest aviary of France with 100 birds of 25 different species !

A medieval town close to Paris that you can visit all year round ! During the 12th and 13th centuries, Provins is at the height of its fame thanks to the famous Trade Fairs of Champagne. The urban structure is organised to accommodate the great number of wholesalers: the wide streets for the transfer of goods and for the stalls, the three level merchant’s houses with sumptuous vaulted low rooms... The impressive fortified wall was built during the 13th century and extended for 5 km (today 1,2 km), and it offers a catalogue of military architecture. Those ramparts showed off the power of the Earls of Champagne. Provins is a real showcase of medieval architecture (military, religious and civil) and it is one of the few towns in France that can boast of over fifty listed Monuments with historical value. Thus, Provins was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List on December 2001.

15 ans ont été nécessaires pour restaurer ce site historique millénaire. Jardin, cloître et chapelles se découvrent en visite guidée ou audio-guidée. Un résultat subjuguant, avec de magnifiques fresques et enduits peints révélés au niveau de la croisée du transept et sur les murs. Démolition, incendie, reconstruction, le Prieuré a connu plusieurs vies et une histoire digne des plus grands romans !

Built on the edge of a rocky spur at the beginning of the 12th century, the tower protects the former Earl’s Palace and dominates the valley. The tower is a potent symbol of power for the Earls of Champagne. The keep’s highly complex layout gives it a unique, massive and powerful appearance making it one of the most original stately dwellings of its time. The new scenography will take you back in time to give you a glimpse of the everyday life at the tower eight centuries ago. It used to be a watchtower, a prison, a bell-tower, and a place of military retreat. The keep offers a panoramic view over the town and its surroundings!

“Provins at the time of the Fairs of Champagne”This is a former merchant house. Dating from the 13th century, it is one of the most sumptuous buildings of Provins. Admire the sophisticated architecture of the rooms, sculpted capitals and the cross-rib vaults. This edifice was used as a covered market during the Fairs of Champagne up to the end of the 13th century, then as the place for paying tithes. Today, the Tithe Barn houses a permanent exhibition: scenes and characters bring to life the main crafts and the merchant activities of this time. Audio-guided visits available in exchange for identity papers.

Originally these galleries were used as a quarry to extract a special type of fuller's earth for degreasing wool cloth (the wool cloth had a renowned deep blue almost black color and was much in demand during the Middle Ages). Once the cavities had been dug out, they became hiding-places, storerooms and also meeting places for various gatherings - some freemasons. Graffiti inscriptions, including Masonic symbols, testify to this. Guided tour only with 25 persons maximum for your own safety and to preserve the undergrounds. To be booked when purchasing ticket at the Tourist Office or in the monuments (except museum).