Cour intérieure du château de Vincennes

Château de Vincennes

The Château de Vincennes fortified castle is the ideal place to dive deep into the fascinating history of France.

  1. What to see and do
  2. Visiting
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  4. Château de Vincennes

Description

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 Europetowers 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.

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Practical info

Access and contact

Avenue de Paris
Tour du Village (entrée principale du Château)
94300 Vincennes

Bus Lines 56, 112, 114, 115, 118, 124, 210, 318, 325
Metro Line 1 - Château de Vincennes
RER Line A - Vincennes

Days and opening hours

From 2105 to 2209, daily between 10 am and 6 pm. From 21 May to 22 September 10am - 6pm Please note: last admission 45 minutes before the monument closes.
Sainte-Chapelle The Sainte-Chapelle opens at 10am, closes 30 minutes before the château closes and during the lunch break between 1pm and 2pm.
From 2309 to 2005, daily between 10 am and 5 pm. Closed exceptionally on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th. From 23 September to 20 May 10am - 5pm Please note: last admission 45 minutes before the monument closes.
Sainte-Chapelle The Sainte-Chapelle opens at 10am, closes 30 minutes before the château closes and during the lunch break between 1pm and 2pm.

Prices

  • From 23/09/2023 to 20/05/2024 Full price: 13 €.
    From 2105 to 22/09/2024 Full price: 13 €.
    Free entry for children < 18 years. Group rate available for > 20 people.
    Free for : -18-25 years old (European Union citizens and regular residents non-euopeans on European Union territory) - Disabled people and their attendant For all, every first sunday of the month from 1st of November to 31st of March
    Included in the Paris Museum Pass: free access.

Facility

  • Parking nearby
  • Car park
  • Toilets

Services

  • Educational visits
  • Room hire
  • Shop
  • Guided tours

Activities

  • Temporary exhibition

Tour

Spoken languages

  • English
  • French

Guided tour languages

  • French

Documentation languages (home)

  • Italian
  • Dutch
  • Japanese
  • Portuguese
  • German
  • English
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Russian

Bulletin board languages

  • English
  • French

Single mean time tour

90 mins

Single services tour

  • Unguided individual tours available permanently
  • Guided individual tours available permanently
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Accessibility

  • Hearing disability
  • Visual disability
  • Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
  • WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
  • Relief map, tactile model or audio device description available at the reception

Avenue de Paris
Tour du Village (entrée principale du Château)
94300 Vincennes

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  • © CPR / Tripelon-Jarry