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Château de Vincennes

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Historical site
—°10
Château de Vincennes (France)

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The Château de Vincennes, located on the eastern edge of Paris, is the only medieval royal residence in France to have preserved its fortress character almost entirely. Started in the 14th century under Philip VI and completed under Charles V, it served as a primary seat of the French monarchy until Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682. Its most striking feature is the 52-meter-high keep (donjon), the tallest medieval fortified tower in Europe, surrounded by a deep moat and extensive curtain walls. Within the enclosure stands the Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes, modeled after the famous chapel on the Île de la Cité. After its time as a royal palace, the castle was used in the 18th and 19th centuries as a prison for prominent figures including the Marquis de Sade and Denis Diderot. Today, the fortress houses the Historical Service of the Ministry of Defense and stands as a significant monument to late medieval military architecture and royal history.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C3471014171919161274
Rain mm545052396460555942576169

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Avenue de Paris, 94300 Vincennes
🕒
Hours
Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00
💶
Entry
€9.50 adults
🌐
Website
chateau-vincennes.fr
🚌
Transit
Metro line 1, terminus station Château de Vincennes
🅿️
Parking
Public parking spaces on Avenue de Paris
♿
Accessibility
Castle courtyard is level, keep (donjon) only accessible via narrow spiral staircases
📷
Photos
Photography for private use without a tripod is permitted
⭐
Best time
Late afternoon for atmospheric light on the defensive tower
🎧
Audio guide
DE, EN, FR, IT, ES

Geography

Coordinates
48.84300, 2.43800

Facts

  • The keep stands at 52 meters, making it the tallest in Europe.
  • King Charles V was born in this castle in 1338.
  • The Sainte-Chapelle was not completed until 1552 under Henry II.
  • The Marquis de Sade was imprisoned here in 1777.
  • The fortress walls enclose an area over 1.1 kilometers in length.
  • Mata Hari was executed in the castle moat in 1917.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Vincennes<1 km · NExplore →
📍Saint-Mandé1 km · WExplore →
Parc Floral de ParisParc Floral de Paris2 km · SEExplore →
📍Charonne3 km · NWExplore →
📍Saint-Maurice3 km · SExplore →
📍Fontenay-sous-Bois3 km · EExplore →
📍Charenton-le-Pont3 km · SWExplore →
📍Bagnolet3 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Château de Vincennes (10)

Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes

Chapel in the Château de Vincennes, Val-de-Marne, a 14th-century Gothic building.

Tour des Surintendants🗼 tower

Residential building in Vincennes, Val-de-Marne, part of the castle complex.

Tour de la Reine🗼 tower

Residential building in Vincennes, Val-de-Marne, part of the castle complex.

Donjon🗼 tower

State prison in the Château de Vincennes, the tallest donjon in Europe.

Service historique de la Défense🏛 museum

Museum housing the French military archives, formerly the Service Historique de l’Armée de Terre.

Saint-Louis statue

Statue of King Louis IX of France at the Château de Vincennes.

Statue du Général de Gaulle

Statue of Charles de Gaulle at the Château de Vincennes.

DADA

Art gallery and workshop in Vincennes.

Jardin des papillons

Butterfly garden at the Château de Vincennes.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the most distinctive feature in Vincennes?
The keep (donjon), at 52 meters, is one of the highest medieval fortress towers in Europe and once served as a prison.
How to get to Château de Vincennes from Paris?
The castle is easily accessible via Metro Line 1 to the 'Château de Vincennes' terminus. The trip takes about 20 minutes from the center.
Was the castle always a residence?
Originally it was a hunting lodge, then became a royal residence, later a state prison, and finally a military barracks.
Can you visit the chapel?
Yes, the Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes with its impressive stained-glass windows is part of the visitor tour.
What else is there to see in the area?
Directly next to it is the 'Bois de Vincennes', Paris's largest park, featuring a zoo, botanical gardens, and a lake.
Château de Vincennes: where is it located?
Château de Vincennes is located in Île-de-France, France.
Château de Vincennes: what is there to see?
Highlights include Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes, Tour des Surintendants, Château de Vincennes.
Château de Vincennes: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Château de Vincennes: why is it worth visiting?
The Château de Vincennes, located on the eastern edge of Paris, is the only medieval royal residence in France to have preserved its fortress character almost entirely.
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