Vincennes - Château de Vincennes

The history of the Château de Vincennes can be traced in its architecture, which shows a combination of a medieval fortified castle with a Baroque palace. The walls of the castle, with their nine towers and the magnificent keep, enclose a spacious courtyard with four 17th century pavilions.

The story of Vincennes begins in the 11th century, when the French crown acquired the forest of Vincennes, which belonged to the abbey of Saint-Maur.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Thereafter the Bois de Vincennes belonged to the French kings, who built a hunting lodge here in the 12th/13th century. In the 14th century this was enlarged into a fortified castle, and in the 15th century it became the favorite residence of the royal family. After the defeat of the Fronde in 1652 the castle became a prison for opponents of the absolutist monarchy, including the Prince de Condé, the Prince de Conti and Cardinal de Retz; in the 18th century state prisoners included Diderot, Mirabeau and the Marquis de Sade, who spent some years of his life in prison here.

Address: Château de Vincennes, Avenue de Paris, F-94300 Vincennes, France

Hours:

May 2 to August 31: 10am-6pm

September 1 to April 30: 10am-5pm

Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11), Christmas - Christian (December 25)

Tips: Group visit should reserve one day in advance. Guide tour every 45 minutes and reserves one day in advance. Documentation available in foreign languages.

Guides: Guided tour included with admission.

Facilities: Gift shop

Transit: Metro: Chateau de Vincennes; RER: Vincennes