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. 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