Provins 2016 (by kerouac2)

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After my miserable failure trying to see Provins in the fog a year and a half ago, it was time to try again this week. Luckily, it is quite easy to get there since it is at the very end of one of the suburban commuter lines, but the shortest rail trip still takes an hour and 24 minutes. There is one train an hour on an invariable schedule. Here is proof that the train goes no farther.

Even though the train station is several blocks from the centre of town, there are a few pretty things to see along the way.















The city takes great pride in its municipal flower baskets, at the risk of making certain footpaths a bit difficult to navigate.



In just a few minutes, I arrived at the principal commercial street.



It was not possible to visit the church right now because a service in memory of the recently murdered priest was in progress.



It was nice to be able to see some of the archtiecture much more clearly than the first time.





The flowers everywhere were both spectacular and varied.





There is a tidy little town hall.

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These buildings have certainly seen a wide variety of businesses over the centuries.



Many small streams pass through town.







The city is very well kept, but it is very difficult to keep all of the buildings up to standard.







It was time to begin the ascension to the upper town and its architectural marvels.













Finally the Tour César was in view.

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The Tour César is a keep built in the 12th century. It was occupied by the English during the 100 Years War.





Even at the base of it, there are some excellent views of the surrounding area.







All of the little drainage (?) niches make it the home of countless pigeons.











All sorts of vegetation have also taken hold on the ancient stones.



A modest fee allows you to enter the keep and climb around inside.









In the distance, you can see the ramparts of the city.

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Although I had not come to Provins alone, it was alone that I squeezed up the final narrow steps into the belfry. I have to admit that I am quite surprised that it is open to the public because the steps are treacherous and uneven and the opening is so narrow that I had to turn sideways in the slit in which the steps are located. However, the final result is completely worth it.

I would not call the area hygienic because it is the home of several hundred pigeons, and their droppings are everywhere, including on the handrails.





The bells up here are still in use and ring every hour. I think I was lucky to be there when they were not ringing.



I couldn't stop looking at the ceiling.











Squeezing down the exit stairs was another challenge. Obviously the steps are only one way!



In another chamber, there was a brief audiovisual show about the life of Henri I, count of Champagne and major crusader for which we are still paying the price.



And then we left the keep under the protection of its dragon.

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I had never even reached this part of the town on my first foggy trip.









This soapmaker invites people test the various scents that are available.













The tops of the old stone walls seem to have become complete biosystems.

[htmb]

Magnificent, Kerouac! I really like the photo that includes both the tower and church. Nice shot capturing the dragon weathervane on top of the tower against the gray sky. Difficult to do. I can only imagine those pigeons were shocked to see a human inside the belfry. Especially someone as tall as you. The detail up there is fascinating. Surely that wood has been replaced several times over the years.

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This was a very picturesque street with perfect windows...



beautiful driveways...



semi-abandoned farmyards...



...all in the same "ordinary" street.





Sneaking a photo over a privacy fence can be very rewarding.







The street ended at one of the gates to the city.









Just outside the gate lie tree lined roads and agricultural fields at their photogenic best.





For more of this eye-popping bounty, please check out FrenchMystique's report Biking through The Brie to Provins



The city is no longer completely surrounded by ramparts, but there are plenty of vestiges left.



Like in most towns, the municipal cemetery is just outside as well.





The contrast between the old ramparts and a newly renovated zone is shocking. I am not sure if I approve of the renovation.





We re-entered the city at the next gate.

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There are plenty of bric-à-brac shops for visitors requiring shopping opportunities.



I was happy just to admire the old stones.









Some people enjoy growing non native plants.























I have still not managed to visit one of the other churches of the city; yet it looks quite interesting.







I stepped into the main church where mass had been held earlier in the day. The giant wooden altar is quite impressive.



I don't think this statue corresponds to where I was always told that Jesus' chest wound was located.





Some of the stained glass was installed only in 2010.

And then it was time to go back to the train station for the hour and twenty-four minutes back to Paris-Est. Next time, maybe I'll make it to the famous eagle show and the medieval underground things to visit.

[bixaorellana]

What a beautiful, interesting trip! The town, even with the lovely municipal floral displays, looks "regular", as opposed to too-too quaintly "discovered". Is that correct? Also, it looks as though it would be a communters' paradise, similar to those 1-2 hour commutes in the NE United States.

I love all the details, man-made and botanical that you caught, also the wide open spaces outside the walls, some of which seem almost unchanged since medieval times.

Lovely, lovely photos and a completely absorbing trip -- thanks!

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Kerouac, I was looking up information about the underground section and read that not only is there an area that served as storage space during medieval times, but there is also a cave where there are supposedly Bronze and Iron Age drawings.

[bixaorellana]

Very cool reason to visit or re-visit there!