Overview:
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.
A small castle in the middle of a posh area, with not too much crowd and open for the public to walk thru (without paying), and tickets to be purchased to access the main building and the museum. Several people walk thru and jog around the property everyday. It is not an outstanding monument to witness but for those staying nearby, it is certainly a bliss. A good spot for a quick sight seeing/photography.
A Disney style castle not too far from the center of Paris, but far enough to escape the crowds. Free to enter the grounds and to visit the French Military Historical Archives, it costs €9 to enter the castle and the chapel. It depends how many castles and chapels you have visited. You can see much from the outside but entry adds extra. Worth the trip and aim to spend 60 mins on site. Plenty of cafes just outside the main entrance.
The donjon is nice and the castle visit by itself is interesting but the way too long guided tour is absolutely not worth the time even if free. Take the audioguide and to your visit at your own pace. You will save at least 1 hour and see everything you need too.