The 12th-century keep that dominates the skyline of the upper town and serves as the symbol of Provins. The architecture is unusual — a square base supports an octagonal upper section, topped with four small corner turrets and a pointed slate roof added by the Templars. The whole structure rises 44 metres above the medieval ramparts.
The tower has served at various times as a keep, a prison, a watchtower, and (during the Hundred Years' War, when it was held briefly by the English) a captured fortress. Inside, a series of vaulted chambers connect via a narrow stone spiral staircase. Each level has a small exhibit on a different chapter of the tower's history. From the upper terrace the view sweeps over the entire medieval town and out across the agricultural plain of Brie.
The climb is fairly steep with low ceilings and uneven stairs; not ideal for the claustrophobic. Combined ticket with the Grange aux Dîmes, Souterrains and medieval shows is good value if you plan to see several monuments.