Château de Vincennes – In And Out Slovenia

Hi guys,

This time, I am going to show you the “Château de Vincennes” (or “Castle of Vincennes“).
This castle is a fortress that was built between the 14th and the 17th century.
The castle is located in Vincennes, a city just east of Paris.

Inside the castle -> View of the **Donjon** of the castle from the entrance of the “**Sainte-Chapelle**“.

When people go visit castles near Paris, almost all of them choose to visit the Palace of Versailles.
Most people (including Parisians) forget to put this castle on their list or they don’t even know that it exists.

The castle is not as big and flashy as the Palace of Versailles, but I think it is really worth visiting.
You won’t have to queue for 1 hour to get inside and you won’t have to pay if you just want to enter inside the castle.
If you want to visit the “Sainte-Chapelle” or the “Donjon“, you’ll have to pay a fee.
If you just want to enter in the fortress and walk around, you won’t have to pay anything.

Outside the castle, near the métro exit -> “Château de Vincennes”. Cross that bridge to go inside the castle.

View of from the bridge. There is a very deep ditch surrounding all the castle.

Inside the fortress. You can walk freely inside (no need to pay anything).

There is a guided tour of the castle (without the Donjon) every day in the afternoon.
It should cost you 9€ (guided tour + visit of the Chapel). The ticket to visit the Chapel only cost 5 €.
The full guided tour ( tour + Chapel + Donjon) takes place every sunday morning during the fall and the winter.
There are more full guided tour of the castle during the summer.

View of the “**Pavillion de la Reine**“.

I attended a full guited tour of the Donjon in the end of october 2018 and it was really interesting.
We really got to know the story of this fortress which was originally a hunting lodge in the 12th century under the reign of king Louis XII.
Many french kings have lived and/or died in this castle (Louis X, Charles IV, Charles V, Philippe VI etc …).

If you attend this guided tour of the Donjon, the guide will explain you everything about the history of the castle.
I think the tour lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It was very very interesting.
The highlight of the tour was when we all got out, on the top of the Donjon.
We could see the castle from above, Paris and the “Bois de Vincennes”.
The “Bois de Vincennes” is the largest public park at the doorstep of Paris (995 hectares).

On the top of the **Donjon** (50 meters above the ground) in October 2018. Bring warm clothes, it very windy up there !

View of the **Sainte-Chapelle**, the **Fort Neuf de Vincennes** and the **Bois de Vincennes** from the top of the **Donjon**.

View of the castle towards the main entrance (tall stone tower) and the city of **Vincennes**.

Looking towards Paris from the top of the Donjon.

Now, let me show you the “Sainte-Chapelle“.
This ghotic chapel within the fortification of the castle was founded in 1379 by king Charles V.
Charles V used that chapel to house relics of the Passion of Christ.
The design of the “Sainte-Chapelle of Vincennes” was based on the design of the “Sainte-Chapelle” in Paris (located on the Île de la Cité).
The interior of the “Sainte-Chapelle” is gorgeous. Very high ceiling and magnificent stained-glass windows.
You’ll have to pay a small fee to get inside but it is worth it.

View of the “Sainte-Chapelle”, inside, from the first floor.

Inside the chapel, looking towards the entrance door.

Inside the “Sainte-Chapelle”, near the altar.

After visiting the castle, I recommend you to go for a long walk in the “Bois de Vincennes“.
It is huge park and also a forest. It also contains 4 lakes, a zoo, a botanical garden etc …

View of the castle from the “**Esplanade Saint-Louis**“, just next to the **Bois de Vincennes**.

Walking in the “**Bois de Vincennes**” after visiting the castle. Walk there for 1 hour and you’ll forget all your problems!

My tips for the castle of Vincennes:

1/ Walk around inside the fortress (it is free).
2/ Go visit the “Sainte-Chapelle”.
3/ Visit the Donjon with a guide (on sundays).
4/ Call a few days before to book a visit of the Donjon.
5/ Take a long stroll in the Bois de Vincennes.
6/ Take the bus n°13 and go visit the Zoo of Vincennes.
7/ Go visit the Parc Floral (park + botanical garden).