Provins: how trade fairs shaped a town

Useful to know

The fortified medieval Provins is associated with the Counts of Champagne and the development of international fairs. UNESCO stresses that the urban structure was created for the fairs and their accompanying activities. The wool industry is also part of the historical context. [1]

This changes the way of viewing: the streets and spaces are not just a beautiful background, but an organization for a specific economic activity. The architecture serves human gathering, exchange and preservation, though each individual function requires its own verification for the particular building.

In a map of Provins, think about the movement through the city and the connections between public spaces. You don't have to imagine a detailed scene from a particular year to understand the general idea. The historic town can be read as an infrastructure of trade, not just a series of churches and fortress walls.