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Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs

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France
Date of Inscription: 2001
Criteria: (ii)(iv)
Core zone: 108 ha
Buffer zone: 1365 ha
Department of Seine-et-Marne, Ile-de-France
N48 33 35 E3 17 56
Ref: 873rev

Brief Description

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.

Justification for Inscription

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.

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