About an hour from Paris city limits there lies this jewel of a city. It was once a fortified medieval town - famous in all of Europe for hosting one of France's main Champagne Fairs. The city became very wealthy in its time due to merchant trade in commerce and spices. Provins held the largest cloth fairs in Europe.
The city was beautiful - stone homes, lined cobbled streets, Damascus roses and sunflowers framed village windows. The Damascus Rose plays an important part in history here - It was brought from Damascus by Thibaud de Champagne. He brought a entire rose bed to Provins after being completely taken with the blooms and fragrance from The Garden of The Sultan of Damascus. He was in love with the Queen - Blanch Of Castile, and presented the rose to her. It is now the symbol of the Village.
Today Provins is famous for its Rose products- rose jams, rose honey and rose sugar. You can sample rose crepes and ice cream at many of the shops in town.
The fortified entrance to the medieval town.
Audrey outside of one of the little homes. See the stonework? Very cool! These crochet curtains were everywhere. Grace and Hazel loved the cats!
On the Wall - the view of the farms and countryside were amazing. What is this old in America?
These flowers were so brilliant- had to snap a few pics here. I want a garden full of these!
We saw a reenactment play of life in the medieval ages - and some of the folk lore surrounding the Damascus Rose. It was worth seeing - the kids had fun. There were lots of horses, ducks, cows, sheep and 2 wolves.
A photo session with the villain.....Sul was a little tense.....
Just a bit more nervous of the grip...and growling....
feeling not so brave anymore.......
Ice cream- sad to say I did not sample the rose flavor.
The overcast weather added a bit of drama to our exploration of the town. This is a view from the town square looking at Caesars Tower and the Church.
Audrey playing Rapunzel!
Inside the 11th Century Church of ST. Ayoul. Amazing!
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