Provins: Incredible Day Trip to Medieval Gem from Paris
Paris, the city itself has so much to offer in terms of sights and experiences. Yet it is worthwhile to take day trips from Paris to the nearby castles, palaces and forts. This post is on my journey to Provins.
If you are planning to visit Paris, plan your itinerary to include some day trips to nearby attractions of Paris. Plan for road trips and zip off and enjoy the sights. I planned mine to Provins and Fontainebleau Palace. Provins is Unesco World Heritage site since 2001.
Day Trip to Provins from Paris
After touring Fontainebleau palace we headed for the World Heritage Site, Provins. The city prospered in 12th and 13th centuries, under the Counts of Champagne, with its wool industry and its trading fairs. The route from google maps, that we covered while on a day tour from Paris.
Road trip to Provins from Paris Google Map
Provins is less crowded, a huge contrast just 50 miles away from the commercialized Paris! Loitering there, it was fun to imagine living back in medieval times. We spent time doing a walking tour, visited a beautiful church and the Caesar’s tower.
Luckily we had the car and so drove up the steep hill to the old city of Provins. On the way we saw some tourists making their way up on foot.
There is a little train that goes around the old town, you need to pay once and use it for the rest of the day. The city is virtually untouched; part of undamaged city walls can be seen.
This is the view from Caesar’s tower. Once upon a time this tower functioned as watch tower, prison, bell tower and also as a place of military retreat. The view is breath taking!
A lone window in the tower; I liked how the creepers grew around it, reminding me of the fairy tale ‘Sleeping Beauty’.
Provins was a pleasant experience. The weather that day was absolutely fantastic and the shot below is one of the sights I took as we did the walking tour.
Enchanting little town, it seemed as if time here is stuck some time at medieval era. Every street is dotted with pretty wooden homes, historic buildings and little eateries.
Even if you are doing your self guided tour of Provins, it is advisable to visit the Tourism Office, pick up route maps with major landmarks and passes to enter the museums.
Below is the picture of Saint Quiriace Collegiate church from Caesar’s tower. It was constructed in the 17th century. Visible from miles away, the church is lit every evening at dusk and is believed to be a magnificent sight. Pity I couldn’t stay back that long to see it myself.
I zoomed into the dome with my 18-200mm lens.
Getting to Provins
It was easy for us to reach Provins from Paris as we were self driving. You can avail train services too. There are trains to Provins at hourly intervals from Paris.
The last picture is a beauty! The view IS breathtaking.
beautiful!!! its like a fairy tale town!
What a wonderful time you had in that quaint little place. Beautiful photographs to go with. Incidentally Google Reader is still working. Alternatives need to be explored.
Beautiful post.
Fantastic photos.
I admit I do not know of this historic town.
I send greetings.
Lucia
Beautifully preserved!
Lovely captures!
Thanks for showing these quaint annd beautiful places with crisp description and apt pictures that I may not see in real in my life time.
Wonderful buildings. Great to imagine just how much history has gone before you in that town.
Looks like something out of a fairy tale.
I love the tower. It reminds me a fairytale. 🙂
beautiful , lovely place
Great tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Nice photos 🙂 I wish to visit someday France 😉
Indrani, it is a lovely town! The views are beautiful. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing your tour.
What gorgeous scenery. That last shot is delightful!
Thank you for taking us on this charming tour of the place.
Its a dream to go to France !And I would love to go to little unexplored corners and villages !
Loved your post !
Beautiful scnes!
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great week.
Regina
Wow what a lovely town, am always amazed with the way they were able to preserve this heritage buildings. I've been to Strasbourg and La Petite, France, maybe there are similarities in structures there. Thanks for the small tour, as i might not be able to see that place in this lifetime.
I love the scenery here!
What a pretty little town to visit. The view from the tower is amazing, and I also like the wooden building in your second photo.
Such a lovely place and awesome views! I do agree with the "sleeping beauty" comparison! Wonderful captures for the day, Indrani, as always!
Very nice pictures! Holiday-like! 😉
Greetings from The Netherlands,
DzjieDzjee
pretty cottages and streets!