Provins can easily be visited in two or three hours, that is enough time for all the main sights and a leisurely stroll through the medieval streets. In fact, there is not much to see. We climbed the Tour César and enjoyed the views over the town and the surrounding fields, we visited the Church of Saint-Quiriace and we walked on the city wall. About one kilometre of the medieval wall and two gates have been preserved, the access is free, only one section where falconry shows take place is not accessible. However, the ramparts and massive towers are even more impressive from the outside (photo). Falconry performances and other medieval shows take place every day in summer, if one is interested in such stuff, we were not.

Provins was mainly inscribed for its importance as a medieval trade fair town. Thus, we thought it would be a good idea to visit the Grange aux dîmes (Tithe Barn). The building dates from the 13th century and was used as a covered market. Today, the two vaulted rooms house a museum: various scenes show medieval crafts and merchant activities. Not all that bad, but the audio guide was a bit too extensive.

The best part of our visit was the stroll through the narrow streets along the half-timbered houses. In the evening, only a few people were in the Upper Town and the sparse streetlights creates a kind of "medieval feeling". However, medieval towns with half-timbered houses are very common in central Europe and are well represented on the WH list, examples are Quedlinburg, Goslar, Albi, and Strasbourg. Visible remains of medieval fairs and merchant activities are limited to some historic buidlings with vaulted cellars and underground galleries, that were used as storage rooms. All in all, there is nothing in Provins that I would consider as outstanding and unique.

We had accommodation in the lovely B&B Demeure des Vieux Bains, a medieval building and formerly a public bath. It was the most expensive hotel on our trip, but by far the largest room and bathroom that I ever had in a hotel in France. The owners are very warm and friendly and we had a delicious breakfast.