Looking for something to occupy your children in Seine-et-Marne over the summer?
There’s no need to go far – Seine-et-Marne has a whole range of activities that will thrill young and old alike. At Provins, it’s back to childhood with stories of knights and princesses! A return to the past that will revive the memories of the grown-ups and fill the little ones with wonder!
Day 1
The arrival in the town of Provins sets the tone… a chivalrous entrance awaits you as you approach the magnificent ramparts surrounding the town! At the Tourist Office reception desk, ask for a “visitor’s guide” with a comprehensive map of the upper and lower town! Now you’re ready to start your journey back in time, 13 centuries in the past!
Armed with a family pass purchased at the Tourist Office and tickets for the historical shows in your pocket, set off to explore the city, the fortified gates, the 1.2 km of ramparts, then the Grange aux dîmes, a former covered market. The audio guide given to you at the entrance will encourage you to converse with the mannequins in the larger-than-life scenography! You’ll find Flemish, Italian and Provincial merchants, a trader (a banker of the time), a stone mason..
The “Tour César” in Provins is a true symbol of the power of the Counts of Champagne, and you can scan the horizon (up to 12km if the sky is clear) to detect the approach of the enemy….
Recharge your batteries in one of the restaurants located not far from the Place du Châtel!
Your little ones will be inspired by “La légende des chevaliers” (The Legend of the Knights), with its feats of horsemanship, madcap races, juggling acts, wolves, geese, cows and even a dragon to marvel at. When they leave, they’ll be ready to set off in search of the perfect princess dress or magic sword!
The art of falconry was also very important in medieval times, and the “Aigles des Remparts” show is the perfect opportunity to discover this ancestral art and, above all, to have a good laugh as the eagles, vultures and other birds of prey fly overhead!
An unforgettable afternoon on the ramparts of Provins.
To keep in the spirit, book a table at the “Banquet des Troubadours” and revel as you did in the old days, to the sound of the crowd entertainers and the best troubadours in the county!
Day 2
After a full day on Saturday, there’s more to discover in Provins. Explore the medieval town on the graffiti trail designed by artist C-215. The sublime portraits of 21 famous personalities take you on a walk through the upper town and the town centre. All have a strong link with the medieval city and play a major role in its history.
For those who are tired from the night before, the little train runs through the upper town all day from 11am.
Finish on a sweet note with “La Roseraie de Provins”, awarded the “Remarkable Garden” label in 2014. The rose garden has 3.5 hectares of parkland, a tea room with a view of the monuments, and a shop full of flavours so you won’t leave empty-handed.
If you’re lucky, you’ll come across Bruno Clergeot, the owner of this little corner of paradise, listed as a remarkable garden. Pruning shears in hand, he’ll be delighted to show you his latest arrivals and explain the name of one of his protégés, such as “Julie Andrieu”, a long story… In May and June, ask to see and smell the Provins rose, the emblematic flower of this timeless town. How could you end your stay without leaving with a rosebush, or one of the many rose specialities you can sample in the tearoom, not forgetting the terrace overlooking the medieval town.
See below for all the useful addresses and many other ideas!
Practical info :
By train :
- From Paris Gare de l’Est – 1H25 min (Line P). Allow around twenty minutes to get to the Tourist Office (upper town). Reduced fares with the Navigo pass for the city’s monuments.
- From Marne-la-Vallée (RER A) with bus 50 of the Seine-et-Marne Express line.
- From Melun (RER D) with the 47 bus of the Seine-et-Marne Express line
You may also like :
Take your family back in time to follow in the footsteps of the railways and steam trains at the AJECTA museum in Longueville. Discover the history of the locomotive, from 1850 to 1950. Climb aboard and take a trip back to the XIXᵉ century.
Treat the kids too, and enjoy the air of the Provine countryside with a visit to the Saint-Hilliers educational farm. Here, young and old alike can milk a goat, collect eggs, shear the sheep’s wool, feed the cows, stroke the rabbits or brush the donkeys.
In a more sporting spirit, young and old alike will also enjoy the accrobranches courses at Jumping Forest, home to the largest cascade of tyroliennes in the forest in France. There are plenty of surprises in store!
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