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.
This is an interesting visit because the place is historic, but it might be much more interesting with the help of virtual reality.
PROS: Hidden gem! Definitely worth going to! Cool history and fun to walk around the fortress. Amazing church architecture!! This site has more history to offer than many other sites. CONS: Distance from city center and the other sites, though still located on a metro line. Some parts of the site were closed due to renovation. Overall: If you have at least 4 days in Paris, I would recommend going.
We were happily surprised by this hidden jam just outside of Paris. The donjon was beautifully restored. Its famous prisoners, Louis XIV, Diderot, etc. make it even more worthwhile.