Ville-haute

Ville-haute is a medieval hamlet that occupies the upper section of Provins, featuring stone structures topped with terracotta tiles arranged along narrow, winding streets. The buildings cluster tightly together and form a labyrinth of passages that guide visitors through this elevated neighborhood.

This settlement took shape during the Middle Ages as a trading hub where merchants exchanged textiles, spices, and precious metals from across Europe. The commercial importance of this location shaped its physical layout and the buildings that survive to the present day.

The local inhabitants maintain medieval traditions through regular demonstrations of crafts, including weaving, metalworking, and traditional bread making in stone ovens.

The hamlet is best explored on foot since the narrow streets are unsuitable for cars and pedestrian access reveals all the details of the place. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended because the paths are uneven and include several changes in elevation throughout the area.

Beneath this hamlet lies a network of underground tunnels called souterrains that extend for several kilometers beneath the town. These hidden spaces served as storage facilities during medieval times and reveal the practical engineering solutions developed by earlier residents.