FRANCE ~ Provins - UNESCO ~

.... Great view of the imposing fortified city walls... built between the 11th and 13th centuries, the ramparts are 25m high, and at the time were 5 km long... one of the most imposing fortified walls in France...  each tower you spot along the rampart is made in a different shape...  this was a way for the wealthy middle age town to signify the ability of their builders... any merchants or travellers to the town would know right away that Provins had money, and talented towns people... today, there is still 1.2 km left in the upper town that you can walk... you can admire them from below or climb up for scenic views... after walking atop the city walls, you can take the stairs down into the moat, no longer filled with water... Provins is a prime example of an intact medieval city... Thanks Nadia!【ツ】

Provins is located the Île-de-France region and dates back to around the year 1000, historically sitting on lands once ruled by the Counts of Champagne. It peaked in the 12th and 13th centuries, thanks to the famous Champagne Trade Fairs, which attracted merchants from all Europe. Unfortunately, in 1314, King Philip IV heavily taxed the city, which eventually ended the fairs and plunged the town into decline.

Thanks to its medieval fortifications, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001.

 

Stamps:

French-Moroccan Culture

(Issued 2001)

The 100th Anniversary of LDH - Human Rights Organization

(Issued 09-05-1998)

Art 

(Issued 03-02-2001)