GARNIER GARDENS
Public Gardens
Valentin Abeille Street
77160 PROVINS Victor Garnier, a Provinois that made his fortune in Paris, retired in 1848 to his hometown, where he purchased some property. He landscaped the area around his villa and opened it to the town’s inhabitants. When he died without an heir, he left the garden to the town for it to be turned into it a city park, while his house became the municipal library (today, it still houses the ancient manuscripts and archives of the town of Provins).
Preserved practically as it was, the Garnier Garden demonstrates how gardens were designed in the 19th century and exhibits people’s taste for exotic tree species: purple beech trees, catalpa and royal ginkgo are mixed with hazelnut and yew trees.
Ruins of former Provins monuments punctuate the visit and enhance the romantic aspect of the garden. With its statues of the town’s great men, it is the flowered memory of the town.
Free access.
THE BOULEVARD D'ALIGRE (or ALIGRE WALKS)
One of the nicest walks in Provins is along the Allées d'Aligre. In the 18th century, this major boulevard was named after François d'Aligre, the abbot of the Saint-Jacques Church of Provins (which no longer exists).
Much used by the people of Provins, this large boulevard follows the line of the old ramparts that have been almost completely destroyed in this part of the town.
The artificial river running alongside the boulevard marks the old moat ditch. THE RIVERS
The Durteint river
The Voulzie river
The artificial river
Woolen cloth was the great speciality of medieval Provins. Renowned for its good quality, the cloth's very dark blue color (known as "ners" blue) was obtained thanks to the hardness of the River Durteint's water.
Further, water was indispensable for many trades: dyer, tanner, butcher, etc.
At several points, you will find picturesque viewpoints over the rivers and their small private washhouses. Fishing: La Voulzie river is well-known to fishermen. The section located upstream of the Moulin de l'étang is Class 1. |
