Not Provence, although I’d love to spend a day there. Actually, a lot more than a day. But Provins is a medieval town about an hour from Paris, complete with still-standing city walls and forts.
Provins, France
Provins, France
Provins wall
Provins Gate
Provins through the wall
Provins Fortress
The ancient part of the city is in the upper section, accessible via a long walk up an inclined street or by bus from the train station. As I didn’t realize there was a bus, I, of course, took the long walk. Most of the attractions can be done rather quickly, so a day trip is all you need. I was kinda bored by the museum. There was no English and no guide so I got through it pretty quickly. But the house itself dates back to the 12th century.
Provins Museum
Much more interesting was the Tithe Barn, which was used as a typical covered market in the 13th century. It’s small (and has some tricky steps) but it gives you a taste of how various merchants plied their wares. To make it easier, you are given an audio guide upon entry.
Tithe Barn
Tithe Barn “merchant”
Of course, what’s a French town without it’s imposing cathedral:
The Saint-Quiriace Collegiate church
The Saint-Quiriace Collegiate church
And I happened to be there for the annual Gastronomy Fair, which was free to enter. Here, there was all kinds of gourmet foods, from cheeses to artisan chocolates, to beers (Brooklyn Beer!), to gluten-free macarons. Lots of great tastes. And, yes, the gluten-free macarons were pretty good.
Gastronomie Fair
Provins Train Station
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