We are planning to take a day trip by train to Provins in April. I've read everything about Provins on Fodor's, but what I'm wondering is if it would be possible to combine a trip to Troyes & Provins by train. Has anyone done that? It looks like it may be the same train line, but I'm not sure. Also, I'm wondering if that would be too much for one day. I was thinking a half day in each place.

Sandy

Hi S,

www.voyages-sncf.com says it's about 1:20 hr by train.

I had planned on a full day in Troyes, when I thought I was going to go there.

In Sept we visited Sens, Provins, and Troyes on the same day - staying overnight in Troyes & exploring Troyes again the next morning.

The interesting part of Provins is quite small. The folklore museum is worthwhile, but the caves visit was quite tedious & long. It's guided (in French), and you can't 'bug out" early because there is no way you can find your way back to the entrance. I would budget no more than 2 hours if you only visit the folklore museum & not the caves.

My wife & I were very impressed with Troyes. The old half-timbered buildings there were extremly interesting. We also enjoyed the Hotel de Vauluisant's textile museum (we passed quickly through their religous art museum). If you have the Alsace Green Guide, follow the walking itinerary for Troyes. I would budget at least 4 hours for Troyes.

Stu Dudley

Hi Ira & Stu,
Thanks! I don't think we'd do the caves, so maybe we can spend a little time in both places.
Sandy

If you are into shopping, Troyes has a couple of Outlet malls where you will find extremely good prices.

Provins used to have jousts on the weekend years ago during the summer. I don't know if that is still going on. I do know that the guys we saw jousting (in spray painted American football pads, not armour) went on to a better gig at Europa Park Rust (near Strasbourg in Germany)--where we saw them a few years later and recognized them.

There may still be special events in Provins during the summer. Check to see what is going on when you get to Paris.

I have never been to Troyes and cannot comment on that.

>> It looks like it may be the same train line, but I'm not sure. <<


Provins is unfortunately on a branch of the Paris-Troyes-Mulhouse main line (the branch starts at Longueville).

Here are the acceptable connections with a quick change at Longueville during a typical day.

************************************************** *************************
De : PROVINS A : TROYES
__________________________________________________ _________________________
Départ Arrivée Cor. Durée Départ le Calendrier Corail/ter
__________________________________________________ _________________________
-> 06h07 07h21 1 01h14 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
07h16 11h10 2 03h54 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
08h22 13h40 1 05h18 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
09h41 13h40 2 03h59 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
10h41 14h36 2 03h55 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
12h37 16h39 2 04h02 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
-> 16h24 17h59 1 01h35 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
-> 17h53 19h25 1 01h32 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
-> 19h14 20h20 1 01h06 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
20h10 00h15 1 04h05 Jeu 04/01/07 bleue
************************************************** *************************

================================================== =========================
Départ le Jeudi 4/1/2007 Durée : 01h14
Heures Parcours Train Période Ass. CC Services
__________________________________________________ _________________________
06h07 PROVINS 17528 2
06h19 LONGUEVILLE S ET M BAN
06h37 LONGUEVILLE S ET M 40407 2 VELO
07h21 TROYES TER
================================================== =========================
================================================== =========================
Départ le Jeudi 4/1/2007 Durée : 01h35
Heures Parcours Train Période Ass. CC Services
__________________________________________________ _________________________
16h24 PROVINS 17560 2
16h35 LONGUEVILLE S ET M BAN
17h07 LONGUEVILLE S ET M 1643 1-2 VELO HAND
17h59 TROYES Corail Intercités
================================================== =========================
================================================== =========================
Départ le Jeudi 4/1/2007 Durée : 01h32
Heures Parcours Train Période Ass. CC Services
__________________________________________________ _________________________
17h53 PROVINS 17564 2
18h04 LONGUEVILLE S ET M BAN
18h33 LONGUEVILLE S ET M 1645 1-2 VELO HAND
19h25 TROYES Corail Intercités
================================================== =========================
================================================== =========================
Départ le Jeudi 4/1/2007 Durée : 01h06
Heures Parcours Train Période Ass. CC Services
__________________________________________________ _________________________
19h14 PROVINS 17710 2
19h24 LONGUEVILLE S ET M BAN
19h31 LONGUEVILLE S ET M 1647 1-2 VELO HAND
20h20 TROYES Corail Intercités
================================================== =========================
Nota : ces renseignements sont donnés sous réserve des modifications qui pourraient avoir été
apportées depuis la réalisation de ce document.

FauxSteMarie,
Thanks for the information about the outlet malls. I'll keep that in mind.
Sandy

superheterodyne,
Thanks so much for the train schedules! It's a little further than I thought from Provins to Troyes.
Sandy

Need the tmetable, thanks

The tool museum in Troyes is not to be missed. These are not modern tools, but old 19th cent. tools organized by trade (shoemaker, wood cutter, etc.).