Pacifique de Provins

Pacifique de Provins (1588 in Provins – 1648) was a French Capuchin Father of the 17th century. He established a French mission in Isfahan in 1627 with the agreement of Cardinal de Richelieu and Pėre Joseph, and the benevolence of Shah Abbas I of Persia.^[1] Pacifique de Provins relied on the help of an Armenian named Khajah Muchaq to obtain an agreement from the Shah.^[2] Results were minimum however in increasing relations and trade, and English and Dutch influence remained paramount.^[3] Progress was also hampered by the long-standing Franco-Ottoman alliance, the Ottoman Empire being a regular enemy of Persia.^[3]

A new mission was sent in 1665 under de Lalin (or Lalain), Mariage and La Boullaye le Gouz.^[3] A treaty was signed after many deceptions and tribulations but Lalin died at Bandar Abbas in 1667.

• Pacifique de Provins, Relation du Voyage de Perse (Paris: Nicolas et lean de la Coste, 1631)

• McAbe, Ina Baghdiantz 2008 Orientalism in early Modern France Berg ISBN 978-1-84520-374-0