On the eastern outskirts of Paris, near the town of Vincennes, and beside the Bois de Vincennes, explore the former fortress and royal home known as The Château de Vincennes . The majority of its construction took place between 1361 and 1369, and from the 14th through 16th centuries, it served as the French Kings' favored palace, second only to the Palais de la Cité. Discover the fascinating past of this remarkable structure, which served as a prison before becoming a barracks and an arsenal during the Napoleonic era.
Highlights
- Visit the famous Château de Vincennes, and be fascinated by the all-white, classic medieval building that bears witness to its former status as a royal palace.
- Explore its lofty towers and dungeon, which served to fortify the castle during battles, and stroll around its historic hallways.
- Discover the well-preserved medieval keep, the tallest fortified tower in Europe at 52 meters, where King Henry V died and see where Fouquet , the Marquis de Sade, and Mirabeau were held.
- Experience the Gothic building's awe-inspiring external flamboyance and beautiful rose window at the Sainte Chapelle de Vincennes.
If you like Instagram pictures of your girlfriend/boyfriend this is the place. The Architecture Is beautiful, the history is rich and there are so many ways to walk around the castle. Feels like you are in game of thrones minus the dragons (because they aren’t real). Seriously, take the metro, buy the ticket and check it out. Well worth the 2.5 hours it takes to walk there grounds and snap some shots.
Relatively inexpensive, no line ups, and easily accessible by Paris train/subway system, Chateau Vincennes was a treat. The information signs told of the rich history of the castle. To be able to walk in the chambers, along the hallways and around the grounds as Charles V would have several hundred years ago was amazing. The surrounding area of Vincennes (Paris) is also a nice place to stop at a Bistro for an ‘authentic ‘ Parisian lunch.
A gem at the end of the M1 metro line. Cool castle, beautiful chapel and nice neighborhood. Went there using the Paris Museum pass.