Provins is a commune of France. Population (1999): 11,667, while 12,814 people live in Provins and the surrounding built-up area.

Provins, Town of medieval fairs, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Administration

Provins sous-préfecture of the Seine-et-Marne département. It is the chief-town of the arrondissement of Provins , and of the canton of Provins , located in the south-east of the département.

Provins is not the largest city in the arrondissement of which it is the chief-town - that honor falls to Montereau-Fault-Yonne.

The arrondissement itself has 7 cantons, 125 communes and 112,020 residents. The canton of Provins has 15 communes and 20,996 residents.

History

Provins was once one one of the cities putting on one of the biggest fairs in Champagne, when the city was under the protection of Counts of Champagne.

Sights

Provins is well-known for its medieval fortifications, such as the Tour César (Caesar Tower).

Economy

Provins has an important rose confectionery. This confectionary produces all sorts of food from roses, and its main specialties are rose petal jam, Provinean rose honey and rose candy.

Miscellaneous

Provins was the birthplace of:

• Marie Jules César Savigny (1777-1851), zoologist
• Dominique Ané, better known as Dominique A (born 1968), songwriter and singer

External links

• http://www.provins.net/
• City council website (in French)
• http://www.provins.org/ (in French)
• http://www.provins-medieval.com/ (in French)