The Musée de Provins et du Provinois is a unique cultural venue, housed in one of Provins' oldest civil buildings, the "Maison Romane". In this magnificent monument, located in the heart of the famous medieval town, you'll discover a rich collection of works of art and archaeological objects, dating from prehistory to the 19th century.
This museum retraces the history of Provins and the surrounding area, thanks to its priceless treasures, including the remains of the Saint-Quiriace treasure (goldsmith's pieces, a 15th-century Trinitarian icon and a 13th-century silk lampas chasuble of Saint Edme), sculptures and paintings, and rare objects such as an abandonment tower, used to abandon orphans rescued from church doors.
Highlights include the wolf worn by Napoleon at a masked ball, a chasuble that once belonged to Saint-Edme, 16th and 17th century confraternity batons, medieval pavements and an original series of Freemasonry objects: aprons, medals, diplomas, saltires and instruction books from the lodge in Provence, l'Heureuse Alliance.
All these treasures can be discovered free of charge this Saturday, May 17, 2025, during Nuit des Musées.
The Provins and Provinois Museum is housed in the Romanesque House, a designated historic monument and one of the town's oldest civic buildings. Its façade, crafted from neat, regular stonework, along with the ground-floor room, date back to the 12th century. Spread across four levels and about ten rooms, the museum's collections—collected by the city and the Provins Society of History and Archaeology—offer a comprehensive journey through the history of Provins and its region, from prehistoric times up to just before the First World War.
Conjurers, physicists, and magicians:
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A Three-Image Journey Through the Key Moments of Illusionism
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Lecture by François Bost
Professor at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)
President of the association Magic, History and Collections (MHC)
How can we grasp the richness of the history of "simulated magic," the art of performance known as illusionism or sleight of hand? Designed to challenge our understanding and puzzle our minds, "simulated magic" has traversed all eras and societies, ingeniously revisiting the realms of the strange and the marvellous to reshape our perception of the world.
This is the challenge that this original and unprecedented lecture aims to address, led by one of the leading experts in the field.
The talk will be complemented by the projection of remarkable documents, as well as a few spectacular magic effects to make the experience engaging and distinctive...
Born in 1963, François Bost holds a degree in geography and has been a Professor of Economic Geography and Geopolitics at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA) since 2013, after serving as a lecturer at the University of Paris-Nanterre from 1995 to 2013. He is director of the Habiter Laboratory (EA 2076) and of the Maison des Sciences Humaines et Sociales (MSHS) at URCA.
Alongside his academic pursuits as a researcher and teacher, he has been passionate about illusionism and sleight of hand for over fifty years, particularly through the history of these timeless arts. Recognized as one of France's foremost historians of magic, he has specialized since 2000 in the study of simulated magic in the 18th and 19th centuries. His main focus is on old tricks and effects—often forgotten—that are preserved with respect for their original techniques.
A great family outing for an unusual cultural evening, discovering the heritage and history of your region.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 17, 2025
Location
Museum of Provins and the Provinois
7 Rue du Palais
77160 Provins
Prices
Free
