On one of those days when Paris weather decided not to cooperate, we spontaneously decided to escape the gloomy skies and find some sunshine elsewhere. After a quick Google search, I stumbled across Provins—a charming medieval town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I’d never heard much about it before, but I’m a sucker for medieval vibes, so we hopped on a train, and just an hour later, our little adventure began.
And wow—the town totally blew us away. My only regret is that we didn’t have more time to explore!
A Little Bit of History
Provins dates back to around the year 1000, historically sitting on lands once ruled by the Counts of Champagne. It peaked in the 12th and 13th centuries, thanks to the famous Champagne Trade Fairs, which attracted merchants from all over Europe. These fairs began after pilgrims visited the relics of Saint Ayoul, housed in Saint-Médard chapel’s crypt.
Strategically positioned at the crossroads of trade routes, Provins hosted international fairs twice a year, each lasting several weeks, making it an important town. At its peak, it was the third-largest city in the region! Unfortunately, in 1314, King Philip IV heavily taxed the city, which eventually ended the fairs and plunged the town into decline.
Despite centuries passing, Provins has remained incredibly well-preserved, offering a unique glimpse into medieval Europe. Today, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to See and Do
We arrived around 1 PM and quickly realized Provins offers more than you’d expect! The town has two distinct areas: the lower town near the train station, more modern and spacious, and the upper town, surrounded by stunning medieval stone walls and full of historic charm.
Medieval Shows
Provins hosts several live medieval shows (depending on the season), and while we only had time for one, it totally exceeded our expectations.
More show info here: Provins Shows
The Legend of the Knights
Tired and a bit walked-out, we picked this show to sit down and rest for a bit—and ended up loving it. It’s packed with action, stunts, horsemanship, and all the medieval flair. Honestly, one of the best shows we’ve seen. If you’re there, don’t skip it!
The Eagles of the Ramparts
Another show we wish we caught—this one features falconry on horseback. Sounds incredible!
The Banquet of Troubadours
If you want the full medieval feast experience, this 3-hour dinner show takes place in a 12th-century vaulted cellar with entertainment between every course—think storytellers, acrobats, and more.
Other Attractions
Ramparts of Provins
The impressive ramparts were originally 5 km long and 25 meters high. Today, about 1.2 km remain, accessible for free. You can admire them from below or climb up for scenic views.
Strolling
Provins is just beautiful, and half the fun is simply wandering the streets—so leave time for aimless exploring.
Tourist Train
Not usually my thing, but after several days of non-stop Paris walking, my fiancé was very happy to sit down and ride through the town. You can hop on and off at various spots with your ticket, and it’s a nice way to see the main attractions without wearing out your feet.
Caesar’s Tower
This iconic tower once served as a watchtower, prison, and is now home to the church bells. It offers panoramic views of Provins. I almost made it—but sadly, they closed right when I got there. I’d run up the hill (four months pregnant, mind you!) and nearly collapsed at the door. So close, yet so far… 😅
Tithe Barn
This small museum showcases medieval crafts and merchant activities, housed in a typical 12th and 13th-century building.
The lower room was used as a warehouse, the first floor as a shop, and the top floor as a dwelling. In the 16th century, it was used as warehouse for the tithe – tax on the harvests – hence its current name.
Museum of Provins
Located in one of the town’s oldest buildings (the Roman House), the museum showcases everything from prehistoric artifacts to Renaissance finds.
Underground Galleries
These tunnels were originally quarries for extracting a type of clay used in cloth-making. Over the centuries, they became storage areas, secret meeting spots, and even places of worship.
⚠️ Heads up:
- The tour is only in French
- It gets quite chilly inside (~13°C)
- Booking is required (and only with a guide)
We didn’t know about the French-only tours, and the tourist office failed to mention it, and, unfortunately, we couldn’t enjoy it as much. However, other tourists seemed to have fun. If you’re not fluent, it may be worth skipping or swapping out for another activity. Had we known, we would have prioritized differently.
Tourist information
Provins has two tourist info points: one at the train station and another in town. Google led us to the upper town one, but I’d suggest stopping at the train station to save time.
Where to eat
We didn’t have much time, so we grabbed some crepes (because, France!), but we spotted plenty of lovely cafés and restaurants both in the upper and lower towns.
Tickets
You can pay individually at each attraction or grab the Provins Pass, which covers:
- Caesar’s Tower
- Tithe Barn
- Underground Galleries
- Museum of Provins
- Priory of Saint Ayoul
It also includes discounts for the shows and is valid for a whole year. Definitely worth it if you’re seeing more than 2–3 sites.
🔔 For the underground galleries: you’ll need to schedule a tour, and again, note that the tour is in French only.
How to get there
Surprisingly easy! We initially thought we’d need a separate ticket, but it turned out our Paris travel card worked—the entire trip cost us just €2.50 one way! Trains run about once an hour from Gare de l’Est.
Would I Go Again?
In a heartbeat. Provins is one of those underrated gems that transport you to another time. If you’re in Paris and craving a quick escape into the past, this medieval town makes for the perfect day trip. Just go early as there is so much to do there!
