We decided to visit Provins on Saturday, because travel on the suburban train lines are free on weekends with our weekly metro passes. Provins is charming, the former territory of the Counts of Champagne, and a medieval fair town. It is presided over by the brooding 12th Century castle keep, known as Caesar's Tower, and the Saint Quiriace Collegiate Church (see above).
We did not go into the church, but Aidan, Joseph, Kevin, and I all climbed the ancient tower. The views were magnificent, and there was an enormous bell at the top.
It was raining most of the day, which lent a somber tone to the old city, but (warning: cliché ahead!) it didn't dampen our spirits.
After a walk around the town, it was time for Aidan and Joseph to sample the crepes and cider, served by a very friendly waiter.
The report? They were both good! Across the square stood this marvelous old carousel. Wouldn't you like a ride?
You could easily imagine living here in another age.
We came across roses growing on walls. The rose of Provins is the Apothecary Rose, so called because it was used for medicinal purposes.It has an interesting history. The rose was brought back to Provins during the Crusades. Later, because England ruled so much of France, it evolved into the red Rose of Lancaster. (And eventually, under Henry II of England, it became joined with the white rose of York to become the Tudor Rose, still a familiar symbol in England.)
What's more, according to one story, rose petals were once rolled into beads, creating the rosary, though that is disputed.
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Roses are one of Provins' claims to fame, but this one is not red.
We climbed the old city wall, but when we returned to Paris, we found that we had missed a walk along the most impressive portion. We also missed the jousting exhibition (we never found it), but it didn't matter. We had already been captivated by Provins.
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