Despite global disruption of travel this year, I was lucky enough to be in France and to visit surrounding areas of the Paris region. One of the towns, called Provins, that caught my eye is located 90 km (55 mi) from the French capital, which is perfect for a day trip. Provins is a fortified medieval town in the ancient territory of Champagne region, with an atmosphere that takes you right back to the era of lords and knights. Provins has remained intact since the Middle Ages and in 2001, in recognition of its time capsule-like quality, it earned the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the summer season Provins comes alive with performances and activities. I haven’t watched any shows, but just strolled around the place. First thing that you see when entering the historical part of the town are ramparts and fortified gates, built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Further down the streets is a central square with plenty of restaurants for lunch and ice cream stalls.
From the square you can see an impressive example of the medieval fortification – The Caesar Tower, the town’s main icon. It was built in the 12th century on the top of the hill overlooking the town and countryside. If you are not scared of undergrounds you can check out a 10 km (6 mi) network of tunnels beneath Provins. It was a great trip that I recommend to those who want to visit french countryside in one day or even half a day.
