Saint Ayoul Church Provins | 1048 History & 2026 Visitor Info
Built 12th-16th Century • UNESCO World Heritage

Saint Ayoul Church

Saint Ayoul Church stands on the site where the relics of Saint Ayoul were found in 1048. This discovery established a Benedictine priory and led to the development of the lower town. The current structure contains architectural elements built between the 12th and 16th centuries.

Structure and Art

The west portal dates to the late 12th century and contains early Gothic stone carvings. The interior vaulting was added during various reconstruction phases following medieval fires. The nave holds 16th-century wooden altarpieces and sculptures from the Troyes school.

Trade History

The church square was the main hub for the Champagne Fairs in Provins. During the 12th and 13th centuries, international merchants gathered here to sell cloth. The adjacent Saint Ayoul Priory has been restored and now functions as a museum for the commercial history of the lower town.