Medieval Provins

In the 12th and 13th centuries, thanks to the Champagne fairs, Provins was one of the most powerful towns in the Kingdom of France, with merchants from all over Europe. The medieval townscape is largely preserved and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sights include the Place du Châtel, Caesar's Tower (Tour César), the collegiate church of Saint-Quiriace, the Palace of the Counts of Champagne, the Grange aux Dîmes, a rose garden and the underground passages. The Tour César is a 12th-century keep that you can climb; timber-framed houses stand on the Place du Châtel.

From April to November there are historical performances every day, including birds-of-prey shows. A family pass covers four of the town's attractions. The old town, the tower and the tunnels are worth a full day. The underground passages can be visited only on a guided tour (booking through the tourist office); it is around 12 °C down there, so take a jacket. The roses bloom from mid-May to June, and the large medieval festival is usually held on the second weekend of June. The town has a car park and a motorhome area; parking is charged at weekends, on public holidays and on some high-season days (as of October 2026).