The Underground Galleries of Provins
- What to see and do
- Museums and monuments
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- The Underground Galleries of Provins
Description
Although a number of questions still remain unanswered, historical cross-checking and diverse findings have allowed archaeologists to understand the role played by underground galleries in Provins’s history and daily life.
A medieval quarry
They were probably first exploited in the Middle Ages as a quarry to extract “Fuller’s earth” used for the fulling of cloth (cleaning and degreasing of the wool), a practice renown well beyond the borders of the city.
These cavities were later used as a refuge for the poor and pilgrims, as well as serving as storehouses for traders’ valuable goods during Champagne Fairs. Many ancient scriptures on the walls indicate that they were also used for cult gatherings, serving as Masonic lodges to the Orthodox church.
The underground galleries - which comprise several hundred rooms in the Upper City and several dozen in the Lower City - stretch very far and you will only be able to visit a small number of them. So to not lose any time, follow a guide and make your tour all the more fascinating! Remember to bring a jumper, particularly in summer because the temperature in the galleries stays constant at 13 degrees all year round.
Groups are limited to 25 people for security purposes and to preserve the site.
Discover the Underground Galleries of Provins through one of the treasure hunts in the Paris Region Adventures application specially designed for families and downloadable free of charge.
Community facilities
Days and opening hours
From 02/01 to 29/03/2024 Schedules of guided tour on Saturday at 11.30 am and at 2.30 pm and at 3.30 pm and at 4.30 pm. On Sunday at 11.30 am and at 2.30 pm and at 3.30 pm. Week during French school Holidays (zones A, B & C) at 3.30 pm.
From 30⁄03 to 31/05/2024 Schedules of guided tour on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 4 pm and at 4.30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 5.30 pm. Public holidays and extra days from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Week during French school holidays (zones A, B & C) at 3.45 p.m., 4.15 p.m., 4.45 p.m. and 5.15 p.m. PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR DEPARTURES ON WEEKENDS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EXTRA DAYS AT 2.30 P.M.
From 01/06 to 02/06/2024, daily between 10.30 am and 4 pm. PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR DEPARTURES AT 2.30 P.M.
From 03/06 to 05/07/2024 Schedules of guided tour on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 4 pm and at 4.30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 5.30 pm. PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR DEPARTURES ON WEEKENDS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EXTRA DAYS AT 2.30 P.M.
From 06/07 to 01/09/2024 Schedules of guided tour on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10.30 am and 5 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 5.30 pm. Public holidays and extra days from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR DEPARTURES ON WEEKENDS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EXTRA DAYS AT 2.30 P.M. - IN WEEK AT 2 P.M.
From 02/09 to 03/11/2024 Schedules of guided tour on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 4 pm and at 5 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 5.30 pm. Public holidays and extra days from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Week during French school holidays (zones A, B & C) at 3.45 p.m., 4.15 p.m., 4.45 p.m. and 5.15 p.m. PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR DEPARTURES ON WEEKENDS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EXTRA DAYS AT 2.30 P.M.
From 04/11 to 13/12/2024 Schedules of guided tour on Saturday at 11.30 am and at 2.30 pm and at 3.30 pm and at 4.30 pm. On Sunday at 11.30 am and at 2.30 pm and at 3.30 pm.
14/12/2024, daily between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm.
15/12/2024, daily between 11.30 am and 4.30 pm.
From 16/12/2024 to 05/01/2025 Schedules of guided tour on Saturday at 11.30 am and at 2.30 pm and at 3.30 pm and at 4.30 pm. On Sunday at 11.30 am and at 2.30 pm and at 3.30 pm. Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th. Week during French school Holidays at 2.30 pm. and 3.30 pm.
Prices
- 6 €
- Adult: from 6 € Child (4-12 years): from 4 €.
Free entry for children < 4 years.
The guided tour of the Underground Galleries is included in the Pass Provins package, a special ticket to visit the 5 paying monuments of the medieval town. More information on the website.
Tour
Spoken languages
- French
Single mean time tour
45 minsSingle services tour
- Guided inividual tours obligatory
- Copyright image:
- OTI Provins Tourisme - photo JF. Bénard