As proof of its growing importance, by the 9th century, Provins was minting its own coin, the “denier provinois,” andCharlemagne had sent hismissi dominici to the town.[6] Under the protection of the Counts of Champagne, Provins hosted one of the largestChampagne fairs, an agricultural and trade fair crucial to the medieval economy.[3] In the upper portion of the town, the fair would be held twice a year, in May and November, whereas in the lower town, there was a yearly market in September.[6] During that time, Provins also became a banking center, with the "denier" being widely accepted throughout Europe. The fairs continued from 1120 until 1320.[6]
KingPhilip IV visited Provins several times in the late 13th century, devastating the town with harsh taxes that ended its period of prosperity and caused residents to flee. The town was besieged numerous times and changed hands frequently in the 14th through 16th centuries.[7] This political and economic instability reduced the importance of the city.
In one of the most famous events in Provins’ history, the recently crowned KingCharles VII attended mass at theSaint-Quiriace collegiate church [fr] church, along with his royal court and saintJoan of Arc on August 3, 1429. This church keeps the Islamic silkchasuble thatSt Edmund had with him at his death.[8]
Being largely unaffected by theIndustrial Revolution, Provins remained a small market town throughout the 19th century.[6] The Germans occupied the town in 1870 during theFranco-Prussian War, and were only barely fought off in 1914 during theFirst World War.
Provins is known for its well-preserved, originalfortifications from the 12th century, such as theTour César (the Caesar Tower) and city walls.[6] Many of the residential and commercial buildings within the Upper Town are likewise from the 12th century; these buildings held the residences of merchants, stores and counting houses.[6] Of the four main fair towns in theCounty of Champagne (Troyes,Lagny-sur-Marne, andBar-sur-Aube), Provins is the only one that has retained much of its medieval character.[3]
The Saint Quiriace Collegiate Church is located here. TheEmpress Galla Placidia is said to have presentedAncona in Italy with therelics ofJudas Cyriacus. However, the saint's head was situated at Provins, brought fromJerusalem byHenry I of Champagne, who built a church in this town to display it. It is still at the Saint Quiriace Collegiate Church, although construction work during the 12th century was never completed due to financial difficulties during the reign ofPhilippe le Bel. A dome was added in the 17th century, and the old families of Provins who lived in the upper town were called "Children of the Dome." After the addition of the dome, however, no further restoration efforts have been made towards the church.[10]The police station (2010) is a piece of contemporary architecture designed by Parisian architects Philippe Ameller and Jacques Dubois.
Two sets of caves underlie parts of the town. The first type were probably used to store food in the Middle Ages.[11] The second, deeper, type contains Bronze and Iron Age graffiti.[12]
Provins has important rose cultivation. It produces all sorts of foods from roses, and its main specialties are rose petal jam, Provinois rose honey and rose candy. Provins also used to be a large producer of wine, with the medieval methods of wine-making still being carried out by residents, and some vineyards are still being used to produce.
^abc"Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs".UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved13 November 2021.
.jpg)
