Provins, France: Off The Beaten Path
If you’re looking for a day trip from Paris that isn’t Versaille, the charming medieval town of Provins is a beautiful spot for an afternoon of open-air exploration, historical importance and local treats! Stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage site, visiting Caesar’s Tower, the stone Tithe Barn and the original timber houses with thatched roofs and colored shutters.
Walk around the intimidating fortified walls before heading through the grand Saint-Jean gateway and into the center of the historic town. Here, you’ll find shops with local delicacies including “brie de Provins,” niflettes (puff pastry cakes filled with cream), and pink confectionaries including rose petal jam, or rose honey. Some of the shops are closed to the public, but instead sell their sweets and goods out their windows!
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Continuing on, you’ll find the Tithe Barn which was once used as a market and hosted an annual trade fair, as Provins was once a major trade hub in medieval France. from there, seek out Caesar’s Tower: an octagonal tower built in the 12th century where visitors can climb to the top and savor the view of the town. Some additional monumental stops include: Maison Romane (one of the oldest buildings in Provins that contains a museum featuring collections of sculptures, pottery and religious relics), as well as the picturesque Old Hospital and Holy Spirit Cellar.
Known throughout the centuries as home to the largest fairs in the region, Provins holds onto that reputation today. Every June, the city hosts a medieval fair to celebrate the traditions of the past, featuring games, food and costumes typical of the medieval times. Please note, the hosting weekend varies per year.
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