Legend tells us that the town of Provins originally dates from Roman times. According to this same tradition it was Julius Caesar who built the great tower of Provins, while in point of fact it was built in the 12th century. We are sure that a Tower existed prior to 1137, because it is mentioned as marking the limit of the fair area in a charter granted by Count Thibaud II. 

The Tower was intended as a place of refuge should the town be captured. It was also used as a watchtower and a prison. Most of the surrounding feudal estates owed allegiance to the Tower of Provins, and the new owner of any such estate had to come to the Tower to swear "fealty and obeisance".In the 15th century the Tower was in bad repair, and English troops tried to capture it on two separate occasions. At the beginning of the 17th century the mayor of Provins, François de Beaufort, decided to repair and roof the Tower.

In addition to the lower hall, Caesar's Tower today still offers: the outer wall that is known as the English Crust (Pâté aux Anglais), a vaulted guardroom, the governor's room and the 17th century timberwork. Above all, this is the finest vantage point for a view over the surrounding countryside.

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