Chateau de Vincennes: true witness to the history of France
The Château de Vincennes, located on the eastern border of Paris, is a fortified royal residence used by the king until the 18th century, when he moved to Versailles.
The origin of the castle dates back to 1150 when king Louis VII built a hunting lodge here, which was later expanded. At the beginning of the famous Hundred Years' War, works began to build a fortress and the impressive dungeon (that, at 52 meters, it is still Europe's tallest dungeon) near the manor.
In the 14th century, the construction of the Sainte Chapelle started. This chapel is indeed very impressive; its portal is one of the first masterpieces of flamboyant Gothic and the work of the stained windows is exquisite, in harmonious contrast with the purity of the white stone. In 1410 the fortress was provided with protective walls no less than 1200 meters long, lined with nine towers, originally reaching a height of 42 meters (although they were leveled off in the 19th century when Napoleon used the castle as an arsenal and military fortress).
During the 16th and 17th century the Chateau de Vincennes continued to be expanded, with a particular accent on turning the fortress into an elegant residential palace. Right next to the Sainte Chapelle, are the the King's the Queen's Pavilions, part of the important works carried out from 1654 at the request of Cardinal Mazarin for Louis XIV. Built in perfect symmetry, they are characterized by a rather classic style.
At the time of the French Revolution, the dungeon became a prison and hosted some famous prisoners: the Marquis de Sade, Voltaire and even Mirabeau. Diderot, meanwhile, was imprisoned in Vincennes also, but in a building adjoining the Sainte Chappelle, now destroyed.
Inside the dungeon, the signs from past eras are evident: it is easy to see that the walls of the castle were colored and various graffiti, left by the numerous prisoners who have succeeded each other in the dungeon, are still visible.
Today the Chateau de Vincennes is a museum; opening hours, tickets price and any other info are available on their website.
Getting there is extremely easy. The castle is a at the last stop of the no.1 underground line but my personal suggestion is to get there walking the full Promenade plantée and then crossing the Bois de Vincennes (the castle is on the northern side of the park); it takes a 2-3 hours walk from the Opera Bastille and makes a great day out option especially in spring.
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| Chateau de Vincennes |
The origin of the castle dates back to 1150 when king Louis VII built a hunting lodge here, which was later expanded. At the beginning of the famous Hundred Years' War, works began to build a fortress and the impressive dungeon (that, at 52 meters, it is still Europe's tallest dungeon) near the manor.
In the 14th century, the construction of the Sainte Chapelle started. This chapel is indeed very impressive; its portal is one of the first masterpieces of flamboyant Gothic and the work of the stained windows is exquisite, in harmonious contrast with the purity of the white stone. In 1410 the fortress was provided with protective walls no less than 1200 meters long, lined with nine towers, originally reaching a height of 42 meters (although they were leveled off in the 19th century when Napoleon used the castle as an arsenal and military fortress).
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| Sainte Chapelle, Chateau de Vincennes |
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| Sainte Chapelle, Chateau de Vincennes |
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| Stained glass, Chateau de Vincennes |
During the 16th and 17th century the Chateau de Vincennes continued to be expanded, with a particular accent on turning the fortress into an elegant residential palace. Right next to the Sainte Chapelle, are the the King's the Queen's Pavilions, part of the important works carried out from 1654 at the request of Cardinal Mazarin for Louis XIV. Built in perfect symmetry, they are characterized by a rather classic style.
 |
| Chateau de Vincennes |
 |
| Chateau de Vincennes |
 |
| Chateau de Vincennes |
At the time of the French Revolution, the dungeon became a prison and hosted some famous prisoners: the Marquis de Sade, Voltaire and even Mirabeau. Diderot, meanwhile, was imprisoned in Vincennes also, but in a building adjoining the Sainte Chappelle, now destroyed.
Inside the dungeon, the signs from past eras are evident: it is easy to see that the walls of the castle were colored and various graffiti, left by the numerous prisoners who have succeeded each other in the dungeon, are still visible.
 |
| Chateau de Vincennes |
 |
| Chateau de Vincennes |
Today the Chateau de Vincennes is a museum; opening hours, tickets price and any other info are available on their website.
Getting there is extremely easy. The castle is a at the last stop of the no.1 underground line but my personal suggestion is to get there walking the full Promenade plantée and then crossing the Bois de Vincennes (the castle is on the northern side of the park); it takes a 2-3 hours walk from the Opera Bastille and makes a great day out option especially in spring.
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