Initial construction XIe–XIIIe siècles (≈ 1350)
Construction under Thibaut IV mainly.
XIVe siècle
Adding doors
Adding doors XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Jouy Gate and Saint John Gate built.
1875
First ranking
First ranking 1875 (≈ 1875)
Protection of the Cathole in the Sheep Tower.
1942
New rankings
New rankings 1942 (≈ 1942)
Protection of additional segments of the ramparts.
1983
Partial collapse
Partial collapse 1983 (≈ 1983)
At the level of the "Beast Run".
1989–2022
Complete restoration
Complete restoration 1989–2022 (≈ 2006)
Works to rehabilitate the ramparts.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The ramparts and doors (from the Trou au Chat to the Tour aux Pourceaux): list by 1875 - The part of city ramparts including towers, courtesies and old buildings ranging from the Tower to Pourceaux to the Tour du Bourreau included and the part of courtine joining the Tour de César to the Tour aux Anglais : classification by decree of 17 February 1942 - The parts of ramparts called the Wall of Bourg Neuf and the Wall of the Brébans (cf. AS 50, 52 to 54, 45, 351, 337, 339, 308, 322, 35 to 39, 312, 26, 27, 30, 33; AP 110, 116, 117, 223, 224, 120 to 122, 124, 125, 127 to 129, 132, 154): entry by order of 17 December 1992
Key figures
Thibaut IV - Count of Champagne
Main figure of construction.
Origin and history
The ramparts of Provins are medieval fortifications located in the upper town of Provins, in Île-de-France. Built mainly between the 11th and 13th centuries under the impetus of Thibaut IV, they initially covered 5,000 metres, of which only 1,200 metres remain today. These ramparts have 22 towers and two iconic doors, the Jouy Gate and the Saint John Gate, added in the 14th century. The enclosure underwent modifications until the 16th century before being gradually abandoned and partially destroyed, especially in the lower town.
Several sections of the ramparts were protected as historical monuments at different times: the portion between the hole at the Cat and the Tower at Les Pourceaux was classified in 1875, followed in 1942 by other segments, including the courtine linking the Caesar Tower to the Tower with the English. A last wave of protections took place in 1992, covering the walls of Bourg Neuf and the Brébans. Despite these measures, a collapse occurred in 1983 at the level of the "beast course", triggering restoration work that ended in 2022.
The current ramparts, located mainly in the upper city, bear witness to the strategic importance of Provins in the Middle Ages. Their construction reflects the defensive needs of a prosperous city, then under the influence of the Counts of Champagne. The aisles of Aligre, in the lower town, now occupy part of the original location of the fortifications. These remains, combined with the preserved towers and doors, offer an overview of medieval urban planning and its evolution throughout the centuries.
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