Château de Vincennes

On the edge of the Bois de Vincennes, the largest royal fortified castle in France tells a rich story full of unexpected twists and turns. This former royal residence served as a prison in the 16th century and was later forsaken by Louis XIV in favour of the Château de Versailles. Today the château houses the archives of the French military.

A Fascinating History

Imagine the castle as an old royal hunting lodge before checking out its 14th century keep — the tallest medieval fortified structure in Europe —towers and moat. The Sainte-Chapelle chapel and its splendid stained-glass windows, built during the same period to house the relics of the Passion of Christ, are still perfectly intact. Close your eyes and allow yourself to be transported back to the time when Louis XI made it into a state prison in which two renowned figures were subsequently incarcerated: the Marquis de Sade and the Count of Mirabeau.

Wander through the pavilions of the King and Queen, built for Louis XIV, before travelling in time to the days of Napoleon I, when the fortress was transformed into a barracks to defend against invasions. The exceptional architecture reflects a unique blend of influences over several centuries. An exciting and educational visit that will delight young and old alike.