Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs
The fortified medieval town of Provins is situated in the former territory of the powerful Counts of Champagne. It bears witness to early developments in the organization of international trading fairs and the wool industry. The urban structure of Provins, which was built specifically to host the fairs and related activities, has been well preserved.
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Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs, is the best preserved example of a town developed for fairs in the Champagne region. It was home to fairs from 1120, and served as a model for later fair traditions in for example Brugge and the Hanseatic cities. Provins was a veritable crossroads. Its international fairs aimed at merchants and dealers were held three times a year. They attracted traders from all over Europe and the Orient.
The nominated area consists of the Upper Town and the Lower Town. Provins originated from the Castle, which was fortified in the 11th and 12th centuries. The settlement soon grew outside it, and was then enclosed within a defensive wall. In the 13th century the town was expanded again, to include the river valley area (Lower Town). Remains in the Upper Town include small houses built in stone and timber-framed construction and the Tour de César with its remarkable donjon. In the Lower Town there are several churches, storage areas for use during the fairs, mills, wash basins, tanneries related to the textile handicraft and a sophisticated water management system of canals.
Provins was a political and military stronghold for the Counts of Champagne. The Counts understood the economic possibilities of the fairs. They reduced tolls to encourage merchants to use their roads and also implemented a "safe-conduct" escort system for those attending the fairs to protect people and goods en route. They also usurped the right to mint money themselves: the Provins denier was one of the few currencies accepted widely throughout the continent of Europe at the time.
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