Tour César in Provins

Perched atop a rocky outcrop, this superb 12th-century keep is flanked by four turrets, and seems still to protect the former Palais Comptal even today.
A powerful symbol of the strength once held by the Counts of Champagne, the Tour César as it is called today has become the emblem of Provins, and is a fantastic testament to the town’s rich medieval past.

It’s impossible to separate the tower from the area’s occasionally turbulent history. Occupied by the English during the Hundred Years’ War, as well as being a place of refuge, a lookout point, and even a prison, the gallery encircling it offers stunning views across the surrounding countryside and the town below. Look up, and you’ll see the wooden framework built all the way back in the 16th century. It is home to two bells, the biggest of which dates back to 1511, is 1.48 metres in diameter, and weighs 3 tonnes!

During your self-guided tour, you’ll learn all about daily life in the keep that has stood here for over eight centuries, with audiovisual exhibitions projected in the tower’s various rooms.
You’ll be an expert in no time!

Discover the Tour César through one of the treasure hunts in the Paris Region Adventures application specially designed for families and downloadable free of charge.

The medieval city of Provins is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow the guide!