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.
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.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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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.
Hours
June 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
September 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Related Attractions
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Vincennes - Jardin Tropical, Lac des Minimes
Visitors to Paris interested in landscape architecture will want to see the Ecole d'Horticulture du Breuil, at the southeast corner of the Bois de Vincennes (Route de la Pyramide). To the north is the Jardin Tropical (45 bis Avenue de la Belle- Gabrielle). Close to this is the Lac des Minimes (boat hire, cafe-restaurant).
Vincennes - Lac Daumesnil
There is a footpath round the Lac Daumesnil in the Vincennes Woods, and a bridge gives access to the little islands in the lake (cafe-restaurant). Rowing boats can be hired, as can bicycles.
Vincennes - Parc Floral
On the Esplanade du Château in Vincennes is the Parc Floral (area 31 hec/77 acr), a botanic garden with magnificent displays of flowers and rare plants. It was originally laid out for the 1969 Flower Show by D. Collin, and is still used for flower shows and art exhibitions. Also in the park are an "exotarium" (exotic fishes and reptiles), a sculpture garden, a lake, a children's playground and a restaurant.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
Vincennes - Pavillons Royaux
The two Pavillons Royaux, the Pavillon du Roi and the Pavillon de la Reine at Vincennes, were built by Louis Le Vau (1654-61). The Pavillon de la Reine was the residence of Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV. Cardinal Mazarin died in the Pavillon du Roi on March 9 1661.
Vincennes - Sainte-Chappelle
The Sainte-Chapelle (1379-1552) at Vincennes, modeled on the Sainte Chapelle in the royal palace on the Ile de la Cité, has preserved its Gothic character (openwork gable, walls made up entirely of windows, variety of Late Gothic forms) in spite of the fact that it was completed only in the Renaissance period (magnificent Renaissance windows in choir). In the northern oratory is the tomb of the Duc d'Enghien, the last Prince de Condé, shot by Napoleon in Vincennes in 1804. A column outside the castle walls below the Tour de la Reine commemorates his execution.
