Vincennes Woods

The Bois de Vincennes, on the eastern edge of Paris, is the counterpart of the Bois de Boulogne at the other end of the city and is roughly the same size. It lies just outside the Boulevard Périphérique and is bounded on the east and south by the river Marne.

In the 13th century, during the reign of Philippe Auguste, the forest was surrounded by a 12km/7.5mi long wall to form a hunting reserve for the king and his guests.

Must-see attractions nearby:

By the 17th century it had become a popular place of resort for the citizens of Paris and six openings had been made in the walls to allow them access. The area was replanted in the reign of Louis XV. In 1798 it became an artillery training ground. Napoleon III had the Bois redesigned in the style of an English park, the Lac de Gravelle and a riding track were laid out by Baron Haussmann and the Bois was presented to the city of Paris as a public park. With its footpaths and bridle-paths and its beautiful lakes (Lac de Saint-Mandé, Lac Daumesnil), it is now an attraction in its own right, drawing large numbers of people in quest of recreation as well as those who come for the Château de Vincennes and the Zoo. Also in the Bois de Vincennes are the Cartoucherie (a former gunpowder factory), with the Théâtre du Soleil, the Hippodrome de Vincennes and the Musée National des Arts Africains et Océaniens.

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

Hours:

June 1 to August 31: 9:30am-8pm

September 1 to May 31: 9am-5pm

Transit: Metro: Porte Doree, Chateau de Vincennes.