Never mind it's the largest Medieval fair in France, and thus, probably Europe, and thus, probably, the known universe. Vicki had read about it in a magazine some months ago, and, checking with Rebecca, we all decided it was a must-see. Just an hour from Paris, so it said. Really two hours, but it would have been worth an overnight in Provins. Simply said, it was the best fair, of whatever kind, I have ever seen. Provins is a World Heritage Site because, in part, of the array of Medieval buildings there dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. More importantly, it was one of the three or four high Medieval
fairs--where, twice a year, merchants from England, Flanders, France, Spain, and Italy all met, to deal, and to create what would become a new economic order, multinational, but depending very largely upon
cities, free cities, with a rising merchant and middle class. Where the Mediterranean met northern Europe. The heady stuff here is lost in the contemporary fair itself, which is about entertainment, but the heady stuff is why Provins is important and why it is so recognized. (Take a look at
Life in a Medieval City for elaboration and much mention of Provins). In addition, with its great size--thousands upon thousands of participants, many costumed--the fair was great fun. With or without a costume, one could feel Medieval, part of a Medieval fair.
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Metro ad; they've been doing this fair for 35 years; it was a 2 hour train ride
from Paris; but worth it and ever more |
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The little town itself is beautiful, convincingly Medieval, though not much
larger now than it was in the 13th century |
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There's a downtown and an uptown, where most of the action is; here, we're in
the downtown |
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| Penelope in princess costume and very happy with it |
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| The first of many of instrumental groups, usually with dancers, jugglers |
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So it's one thing to go to your local Medieval/Renaissance fair at the county
fairgrounds; quite another when the surroundings are thoroughly 12th-13th
century, in a place that was renowned for its international fair in those times |
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| Provins is big-time rose country, everything in bloom |
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| Even the bananas |
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| And other things |
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| Now we are uptown, in a Medieval hardware store |
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| In a big central square |
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Probably a third of the attendees are in costume, many
quite interesting and authentic-looking; here, a contestant
for the burning-of-the-witch contest at the end of the day;
oh, you get in for half-price if you're in a costume |
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| Another instrumental group and juggler |
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| The fair is HUGE |
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| Best/largest selection of jewelry/bookmarks ever |
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| Moving a float into place for the parade |
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| The Knights Templars barbecue a great favorite |
