Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs

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Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs: A Testimony to the Economic Power of the Counts of Champagne

Located in the picturesque Seine-et-Marne department of the Île-de-France region in France, the fortified medieval town of Provins stands as a remarkable testament to the economic prowess and cultural influence of the Counts of Champagne during the Middle Ages. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, this charming town offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the early developments in international trading fairs and the wool industry that once thrived here.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

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.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (ii): At the beginning of the 2nd millennium Provins was one of several towns in the territory of the Counts of Champagne that became the venues for great annual trading fairs linking northern Europe with the Mediterranean world.

Criterion (iv): Provins preserves to a high degree the architecture and urban layout that characterize these great medieval fair towns.

Encyclopedia Record: Provins

Provins is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and importance throughout the Middle Ages as an economic center and a host of annual trading fairs, Provins became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

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