Monday, May 09, 2005
Provins
Well the in-laws arrived on Friday and my husband left on Saturday for a week of work in Africa! What to do this past weekend with the kids and grandparents? I had a couple of suggestions, and my mother-in-law liked best the idea of going to Provins.I was excited by her choice, because it's been years since we took a trip to Provins and now the kids could appreciate it a bit more. Provins is a well-preserved medieval fair town with walled fortifications about 90 km south-east of Paris. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Counts of Champagne offended the Kings of France by defying them from the Provins ramparts. The fairs of Provins were the most important in Europe and attracted cloth merchants from Flanders, spice merchants from the orient and many poets and intellectuals. However, wars, plaques and the slow disappearance of fairs led to the town's decline and its seclusion from many events in history. The good news is that because it was left alone, Provins is extremely well-preserved. In 2001, Provins became part of the UNESCO's World Heritage list.
Additionally, I had heard that Provins now hosted some interesting shows about Equestrian Falconry and Chivalry. I thought the kids would like to see one of the shows. When we got there the cashier gave us about 3 different brochures of information, in English, to review. There is a lot to do in this town. You could easily spend the whole day here exploring.
We ended up heading straight to the Equestrian Falconry show because it was starting shortly after we arrived. It's kind of pricey...34.80 euro for our group of 5 (3 adults, 2 kids), but it was a great show. It lasted 50 minutes and the kids loved it. The show was very entertaining, especially when the eagles, vultures and owls would fly right above our heads. I can't tell you how many times we ducked because we were convinced a bird of prey would hit us. My son also liked it when one of the bird keepers let a bird walk on his head.
After taking the "petite train" around the town of Provins, we headed up to Caesar's Tower (legend was that Julius Caesar built this great tower of Provins -- but this was later disproved). The grandparents waited downstairs, ready to take pictures while I walked up the tower with the kids. Provins was fortified to protect the road to Paris from marauding invaders. Here is a view from Caesar's tower of the Provins countryside. On the right is the local church, Saint Quiriace, where Joan of Arc and Charles VII once stopped by for Mass.
On the way out from the Falconry show, my daughter (after my son) decided to let one of the falcons rest on her arm.
It took us about 90 minutes to drive to Provins because a large part of the trip is off the major highway. We all had a nice time exploring this medieval city with so much preserved history. Provins annual major event of the year is the Medieval Festival, on June 11-12 this year, when people flood the streets in period costume -- craftspeople, jugglers and troubadours -- recalling the days before plagues, politics and changing trade routes diminished Provins' importance.
-- said Auntie M in Paris
10:29 PM
Comments:
Falconry? That's really cool, I've never even seen a falcon.
I just eat all this historical stuff up, so I know I'd love it. Glad you had a great time!
By the time I get to France, I'm going to know all the places to visit. ;)
# posted by Joe : 10:47 PM
I just eat all this historical stuff up, so I know I'd love it. Glad you had a great time!
By the time I get to France, I'm going to know all the places to visit. ;)
# posted by Joe : 10:47 PM
My husband wants a pet hawk! and Im like where are we gonna keep it? PS I forgot if I emailed you but will you vote for me for a blog award? I really need to win bad!
# posted by mrsmogul : 12:16 AM
# posted by mrsmogul : 12:16 AM
Well, another book mark!
This looks like it was a wonderful town to have visited - and wow! your daughter is brave letting the falcon rest on her arm.
Terry in SF
# posted by Anonymous : 2:06 AM
This looks like it was a wonderful town to have visited - and wow! your daughter is brave letting the falcon rest on her arm.
Terry in SF
# posted by Anonymous : 2:06 AM
Hello !
Provins is well known in France as the political fiefdom of Alain Peyrefitte (1925-1999), one of the Fifth Republic's very, very big movers and shakers. A career diplomat, he was Mayor of Provins for 32 years (1965-1997), a depute, a Senator, a Minister several times in various Gaullist governments, and a widely-published author who became immortel, i.e., a member of the Academie Francaise, to which he was elected in 1977.
One of his major literary efforts is Quand la Chine s'éveillera -- le monde tremblera, which deals with China and its history (the title – "When China awakes, the world shall tremble" - is a quote from Napoleon Bonaparte, by the way). The book made a huge splash when it was published and educated French people of a certain age still refer to it at les diners en ville. It's a great, prophetic read if one is interested in China, although there are some gaps in his narrative, with hardly a mention of the Lao Gai (Chinese gulag system).
The inclusion of Provins on the UNESCO list is a direct result of Peyrefitte's efforts.
If you liked Provins, you'll love Cordes-sur-Ciel in the south, about 600 kilometers from Paris, down around Toulouse. It, too, is an old, old town on the rocky outcrop – with better weather (smile). Every year over the Bastille Day holiday (July 14), there are the Fetes Medievales du Grand Fauconnier ("the Medieval Feasts of the Great Falconer"): parades, falcons, swordplay, dancing, games for children – a whole range of activities.
Thanks for this great report about Provins !
L'Amerloque
# posted by L'Amerloque : 8:54 AM
Provins is well known in France as the political fiefdom of Alain Peyrefitte (1925-1999), one of the Fifth Republic's very, very big movers and shakers. A career diplomat, he was Mayor of Provins for 32 years (1965-1997), a depute, a Senator, a Minister several times in various Gaullist governments, and a widely-published author who became immortel, i.e., a member of the Academie Francaise, to which he was elected in 1977.
One of his major literary efforts is Quand la Chine s'éveillera -- le monde tremblera, which deals with China and its history (the title – "When China awakes, the world shall tremble" - is a quote from Napoleon Bonaparte, by the way). The book made a huge splash when it was published and educated French people of a certain age still refer to it at les diners en ville. It's a great, prophetic read if one is interested in China, although there are some gaps in his narrative, with hardly a mention of the Lao Gai (Chinese gulag system).
The inclusion of Provins on the UNESCO list is a direct result of Peyrefitte's efforts.
If you liked Provins, you'll love Cordes-sur-Ciel in the south, about 600 kilometers from Paris, down around Toulouse. It, too, is an old, old town on the rocky outcrop – with better weather (smile). Every year over the Bastille Day holiday (July 14), there are the Fetes Medievales du Grand Fauconnier ("the Medieval Feasts of the Great Falconer"): parades, falcons, swordplay, dancing, games for children – a whole range of activities.
Thanks for this great report about Provins !
L'Amerloque
# posted by L'Amerloque : 8:54 AM
Great photos!
The show makes it sound like it was well worth the long drive.
# posted by Anna : 10:22 AM
The show makes it sound like it was well worth the long drive.
# posted by Anna : 10:22 AM
Dear Auntie M.,
thanks for another great post: I am learning more French history with you than I ever did at school!
Love, Antipo xxx
PS See you for a picnic soon I hope!
# posted by Antipodeesse : 3:22 PM
thanks for another great post: I am learning more French history with you than I ever did at school!
Love, Antipo xxx
PS See you for a picnic soon I hope!
# posted by Antipodeesse : 3:22 PM
Don't you just love the little blinds they put on those birds. LOL
That place sounds like a ton of fun.
# posted by BohemianMama : 5:57 PM
That place sounds like a ton of fun.
# posted by BohemianMama : 5:57 PM
You and your kids are so lucky to be having these experiences and I am living vicariously through you!
# posted by Raehan : 7:00 PM
# posted by Raehan : 7:00 PM
Auntie M. In the middle of the 13th century, Thibaud the 4th, Count of Champagne, and poet, brought back from one of the Crusades a red rose which he named in one of his poems "La Rose des Sarrasins". The rose was planted then cultivated in the apothecary gardens of Provins & used to make perfume, medicine & other products sold in the "foires de Provins". The reputation of that rose spread all over Europe under the name "La Rose de Provins", one of the most famous historical roses. Its Latin botanical name - Rosa gallica officinalis - means French rose of apothecaries.
Open to debate, it is said that "La Rose de Provins" is also the "Red Rose of Lancaster", another red "Rosa gallica", and one of the two legendary roses of the War of the Roses in England, the other being "The White Rose of York" (Rosa alba semi-plena).
Frania W.
# posted by Frania W. : 7:16 AM
Open to debate, it is said that "La Rose de Provins" is also the "Red Rose of Lancaster", another red "Rosa gallica", and one of the two legendary roses of the War of the Roses in England, the other being "The White Rose of York" (Rosa alba semi-plena).
Frania W.
# posted by Frania W. : 7:16 AM
CMAC, I miss hanging out with you. Wish you were here!
MrsMogul, You're husband wants a hawk? What happened to a canary or cat or dog for that matter?
Terry, As you might guess, I was surprised, really shocked that she allowed the women to put the hawk on her arm.
L'A, I wonder what it means to a city to become a UNESCO site. What does that translate into regarding tourism?
Anna, One of these days I'd like to get to Dijon too!
AntiP, Is there a group picnic planned next? I'm always the last to know. I'm actually thinking about dropping by your place now that the weather is warm.
BM, Yeah. I wonder if it bothers the birds.
Raehan, Thanks! I'm doing my best.
Frania, There were tons of Rose stuff being sold, but I didn't look into why. Thanks for the explanation.
# posted by Auntie M in Paris : 8:31 AM
MrsMogul, You're husband wants a hawk? What happened to a canary or cat or dog for that matter?
Terry, As you might guess, I was surprised, really shocked that she allowed the women to put the hawk on her arm.
L'A, I wonder what it means to a city to become a UNESCO site. What does that translate into regarding tourism?
Anna, One of these days I'd like to get to Dijon too!
AntiP, Is there a group picnic planned next? I'm always the last to know. I'm actually thinking about dropping by your place now that the weather is warm.
BM, Yeah. I wonder if it bothers the birds.
Raehan, Thanks! I'm doing my best.
Frania, There were tons of Rose stuff being sold, but I didn't look into why. Thanks for the explanation.
# posted by Auntie M in Paris : 8:31 AM
Hi Auntie !
Yes, being on the UNESCO World Heritage List has a definite impact on tourism. I remember once seeing some stats about it: a few sites had something like 30% more tourists than they would've had if they hadn't been a Heritage Site. Some sites were a bit obscure and tourists weren't rushing in as planned.
The complete list is at: ((http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31))
Info from the site:
What is World Heritage?
World Heritage is the designation for places on earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Places as diverse and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the 788 natural and cultural places inscribed on the World Heritage List to date.
What does it mean for a site to be inscribed on the List?
Once a country signs the Convention, and has sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, the resulting prestige often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage preservation. Greater awareness leads to a general rise in the level of the protection and conservation given to heritage properties. A country may also receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites.
L'Amerloque
# posted by L'Amerloque : 8:17 AM
Yes, being on the UNESCO World Heritage List has a definite impact on tourism. I remember once seeing some stats about it: a few sites had something like 30% more tourists than they would've had if they hadn't been a Heritage Site. Some sites were a bit obscure and tourists weren't rushing in as planned.
The complete list is at: ((http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31))
Info from the site:
What is World Heritage?
World Heritage is the designation for places on earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Places as diverse and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the 788 natural and cultural places inscribed on the World Heritage List to date.
What does it mean for a site to be inscribed on the List?
Once a country signs the Convention, and has sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, the resulting prestige often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage preservation. Greater awareness leads to a general rise in the level of the protection and conservation given to heritage properties. A country may also receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites.
L'Amerloque
# posted by L'Amerloque : 8:17 AM
Three phrases should be among the most common in our daily usage. They are: Thank you, I am grateful and I appreciate.
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