History of Provins

Provins: A Medieval Capital

Sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region, Provins is also the capital of the district and the canton. This city is built at the confluence of the valley of Voulzie and Durteint. The inhabitants of this commune are the Provinois and Provinoises. Provins is an old capital of the Counts of Champagne. His name is attested under "Pre (vu) nda silva" which designates a deep and thick forest. The origin of the name of this city is not certain. Indeed, some argue that Provins comes from the deep, thick Latin word. Others say he holds vineyards of Probus, a Roman emperor who was arrested in the city around 271. The earliest human traces in this city date back to the Paleolithic era.

A Prosperous Past and Decline

Since the Middle Ages, Provins was the third largest city in France and hosted the most important Champagne fairs under the protection of the Counts of Champagne. But King Philippe-le-Bel put an end to the prosperity of Provins following his multiple trips that led only to the ruins of the city with the tax levies he imposed on the inhabitants regularly. In the 10th century, Provins already had 80,000 inhabitants. Indeed, it attracted many French thanks to its medieval festival and the cultural wealth of the country of Provence. At the time of Louis XIII, three fairs were held each year: the May Fair, the Saint Ayoul Fair, and the Saint Martin Fair.

Exploring Provins

Provins was affected by the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. The majority of the Provinois fled on August 27th of that year, and those who could not afford to escape hid in the undergrounds of the city. The twentieth century was marked by the arrival of German troops at its doors during the First World War, leading to major damage in the city. Exploring every corner of Provins is highly recommended, and using a car service can facilitate the discovery of this historical and fascinating city.