What to do · Provins
The ramparts and the Porte Saint-Jean
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 1 h
- Distance
- 1.2 km
- Season
- All year
- Who it's for
- Everyone; with a pushchair on the outer path
- With a dog
- On a lead, on the outer path and in the moats
The walls of Provins were built between the 11th and 13th centuries and once stretched over five kilometres. Today 1.2 km remain around the upper town, with towers of all shapes (round, square, almond-shaped, octagonal) and two fortified gates, Saint-Jean and Jouy. Access is open and free all year.
Where to go
From the tourist office, the path leads straight to the Porte Saint-Jean. Turn left and go round the outside, along the Allée des Remparts and the Allée des Lépreux: the best view is at the Tour aux Engins, the big tower on the corner. Steps go down into the moats to see them from below. On the inside you climb to the wall-walk next to the two gates; from the Jouy gate you see the town's rooftops.
At night
The restoration, begun in the 1970s, finished in September 2022, and since then the walls have had LED lighting. If you sleep in Provins, the walk after dinner is what you remember most.
Tips
- Start here It is free, always open and gets you oriented: afterwards you know where the Caesar Tower and the shows are.
- Footwear The outer path is earth and grass; the moats have steps.
Frequently asked questions
Do you pay to see the ramparts of Provins?
No. Access is free all year, via Rue Saint-Jean and Rue de Jouy.
Can you climb on the wall?
Yes, from the inside, next to the Porte Saint-Jean and the Jouy gate.
How long is the wall?
1.2 km remain around the upper town, with walls up to 25 metres high.
As a familyWith teenagersWith a dog
