Provins - Sainte-Croix

In 1239 Thibaut IV de Champagne (= "Theobald I of Navarre"), Count of Champagne, had led the "Barons' Crusade" to the Holy Land. When he returned home, he carried a piece of the "True Cross" with him.

This piece was kept in this church, that got built on swampy grounds. Destroyed by fire in the 14th century, the church got rebuilt again. During teh French Revolution, the nave was used as a gunpowder factury, while the choir wa converted into a "Temple of Reason".

The church was built with wooden foundations. Due to the unstable ground many backfillings were necessery. After the draining of the marsh the old foundations started to disintegrate and the church sank again, so it is under constant monitoring and restoration.

The piece of the Holy Cross was not the only souvenir Thibaut IV de Champagne brought home. It is said, that he introduced the "Damask rose" to Provins. Cultivation of roses is still important, and rose honey and rose candies are offered in the shops.