Provins
Walking route in Provins, with approximate GPS coordinates, photos and a mini map / orientation guide. You can use this as a base for a self-guided tour or modify according to your pace.
đ Basic Coordinates & Map Orientation
- Provins is located at approximately 48.5604° N, 3.2990° E (Wikipédia)
- The train station (Gare de Provins) is at about 48.5556° N, 3.30298° E (Wikipédia)
- The medieval city center is up on a promontory, with old ramparts, towers and narrow streets.
- For parking or access to the old town, there is a tourist parking âChemin de Villecranâ at lat 48.5604069, lon 3.2806952 (Vol Libre)
You may want to load a map app (Google Maps, OpenStreetMap) and mark these key points: the station, the Tour CĂ©sar, the ramparts, underground passages, and the lower town.
đ Walking Route from the Train Station to the Medieval Center and Back
Estimated duration: 2.5â3 hours (without long rests), more if you explore museums or undergrounds in detail.
Start: Gare de Provins End: Return to Gare de Provins or local café in lower town
Here is a suggested route with stops:
| # | Point / Landmark | Approx Coordinates | What to See / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gare de Provins (Train Station) | 48.5556° N, 3.30298° E (Wikipédia) | Start your walk here. From the station, walk north / uphill toward the medieval quarter. |
| 2 | Lower Town (Ville Basse) | ~48.5585° N, 3.3015° E | Explore timber-framed houses, local shops, cafés, and streets connecting to the upper town. |
| 3 | Ăglise Saint-Ayoul | 48.560606° N, 3.303343° E (WikipĂ©dia) | In the lower town, this church has deep historical roots. |
| 4 | Porte Saint-Jean | (on ramparts, roughly) | One of the old city gates, part of the fortifications. |
| 5 | Walk the Ramparts & Walls | along upper city | Follow the old city walls, enjoying views over the surroundings, towers, fortifications. |
| 6 | Tour César | ~48.5607° N, 3.2988° E (in the upper city) | Climb the tower for panoramic views of Provins and surroundings. |
| 7 | Collégiale Saint-Quiriace | (upper town) | Visit the incomplete collegiate church, its architecture, interior and history. |
| 8 | Les Souterrains de Provins (Underground Passages) | under the upper city | Take a guided tour underground to see medieval vaults, storage chambers, hidden tunnels. |
| 9 | La Grange aux DĂźmes | near old town | Museum about rural, agricultural life, local traditions. |
| 10 | Tour Notre-Dame-du-Val / Church Ruins | (on lower side of old city, descending) | Ruins and architectural fragments associated with the old collegiate church. |
| 11 | Return to Lower Town & cafés | via charming streets | Finish your walk through picturesque alleys, stop in a café or restaurant. |
| 12 | Back to Gare de Provins | same as start | Descend or walk back to the station to conclude the tour. |
You can adapt this order depending on where you start or rest, weather, or opening times of museums.
đŻ Tips & Enhancements for the Route
- Try to start early so that all monuments (especially underground tours) are open.
- Plan breaks in cafĂ©s in the lower town, where itâs more relaxed and less steep.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes â some streets are steep or cobbled.
- Use a map or GPS app to track elevation changes: the old town is elevated.
- If possible, catch a medieval show (falconry, performances) in the ramparts area (Les Aigles des Remparts) â the show site is accessible from âRempart du Cours aux BĂȘtesâ via ramparts. (Vol Libre)
- For parking (if coming by car), use the Chemin de Villecran tourist parking (lat 48.5604069, lon 3.2806952) as a starting point to walk into town.