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Are you familiar with the town of Provins in the East of Paris? It was a city that flourished in the Middle Ages and was known for having the highest-grade champagne. There are many remnants of that time still there today, such as a tower (the Tour Cesar), a church (the Collegiale Saint Quiliace), underground tunnels, and castle walls, and it was designated as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 2001. |
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The area gets very busy in June of every year during the weekend of “Les Medievales”, the medieval fair. The entire town looks like it has time-slipped back to the Middle Ages as many people dressed in various costumes like knights and witches and you’ll be able to really enjoy a different time period. It was held on the 14th (Saturday) and 15th (Sunday) of June this year. I think you’ll enjoy this photographic report. Don’t think of this as a discussion of something that happened months ago, but instead use it to help plan your trip for next year. Of course, you can still quietly enjoy the influence of the Middle Ages, even when the fair is not going on.
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The old town of Provins sets the stage for the Medieval Fair.
As you can see in the picture, the detail goes so far that even the road signshave been covered with cloth bags.
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The historical church constructed in the 12th century, Collegiale Saint Quiliace. |
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This tower (the Tour Cesar) was also built in the 12th century. It was primarily used as a prison. After paying the entrance fee of €3.40 you can head to the top and see all of Provins and the surrounding areas spreading out before you.
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The view from the Tour Cesar. The old town has the appearance of a peaceful village. |
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| The town is full of scenery that looks straight out of a postcard. |
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| Castle walls from the 13th century. |
Place du Chatel, at the center of town.
There’s a huge crowd on the day of the fair.
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| There are all kinds of events and projects for adults and kids to enjoy during the Medieval Fair. |
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A stand selling Medieval-style clothing. You can get a costume here in no time! Take a look at the photos of people in their costumes.
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The area where kids can play with games and toys of long, long ago. |
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The area where kids can play with games and toys of long, long ago.
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I was introduced to traditional manufacturing methods inside the church. The photo shows a man making a stained glass window.
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People drawing the small images that decorated medieval books. |
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| I wonder if this is really what elementary school was like during the Middle Ages. |
A reproduction of how lepers were isolated and secluded due to the ignorance and prejudices of the day. It was very realistic.
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| The traditional method of dying yarn. |
Wooden shields and swords. The kids that got some of these brandished them with glee.
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Sheep are paraded through the streets being led by a shepherd.
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A band playing in the parade. |
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In the area where the moat used to be, next to the castle walls, was a performance showing the daily life of people during the Middle Ages.
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A man making chain mail. |
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| They sell these kinds of scary masks. |
Even the food stands are medieval style? These roasts are huge.
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| The hearty lentil and sausage soup boils gently. |
These crepes cooked in an iron pot over a charcoal fire look delicious!
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One of the best things about the fair is all the regular people who have dressed up. Actually, if you show up in a medieval-style costume, they waive the €8 entry fee as a special favor. However, every person interprets "medieval-style" in their own way. You may think some people are just there to show off, but the amazing variety will keep you interested. There was even someone in a Japanese-style samurai outfit!
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Dates : The second Saturday and Sunday of June every year. (Check the official site for details.)
Entry Fee : Adults - One Day €8, Two Days €12
12 and under are free
Web : www.provins-medieval.com
About an hour and a half via the national railway from Paris’s eastern station, Gare de l'Est.
Timetable for Aug. 24th, 2008 through Dec. 13th
Web : www.provins.net/anglais/default.htm
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