Château de Vincennes, Medieval castle in Vincennes, France
The castle complex spans 6 hectares with defensive walls, nine towers, broad moats, and features a 52-meter-high keep in the eastern suburbs of Paris.
Construction began in 1340 under King Philip VI, transitioning from a royal residence to multiple functions including a prison where the Marquis de Sade spent seven years.
The Saint-Chapel within the castle grounds represents Gothic architecture through its structural elements, pointed arches, and detailed stone carvings.
The castle opens daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with guided tours available to explore the keep, chapel, and surrounding fortifications.
The keep stands as the tallest fortified medieval structure in Europe, containing preserved royal apartments across multiple levels.
Location: Vincennes
Inception: 1340
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Part of: Vincennes
Address: Av. de Paris, 94300 Vincennes, France 75012
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
Phone: +33143281548
Website: http://chateau-vincennes.fr
GPS coordinates: 48.84278,2.43583
Latest update: August 27, 2025 17:26
France's historical architecture documents two millennia of construction, from Roman amphitheaters to modern bridge engineering. The structures demonstrate developments in engineering and architecture across multiple periods. The heritage extends from medieval fortifications like Carcassonne and the Fortress of Salses through Gothic cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris and Amiens Cathedral to Renaissance châteaux including Chambord and Chenonceau. Roman engineering persists in the Pont du Gard and the Arena of Nîmes, while the Papal Palace in Avignon and Sainte-Chapelle illustrate medieval political and religious authority. The Loire Valley châteaux and fortified structures like Bonaguil and Pierrefonds demonstrate defensive architecture and aristocratic living. The 20th century brought new perspectives with Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye, a defining work of modern architecture. The Millau Viaduct represents contemporary engineering achievement. Pilgrimage sites like the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray and Mont Saint Michel Abbey combine religious significance with architectural skill. These structures provide insight into French history, construction traditions and technical innovation through the centuries.
The castles surrounding Paris provide insight into several centuries of French history. From medieval fortresses to Renaissance palaces to Napoleonic residences, each structure represents different architectural styles and periods. These buildings served as homes for French kings, emperors and noble families, and today house significant collections of furniture, artworks and historical objects. Many are surrounded by extensive gardens and grounds that are also open to visitors. The collection spans a wide geographic area from Versailles to the Loire Valley, offering destinations that range from half-hour to two-hour drives from Paris. Properties like Versailles and Fontainebleau attract millions of visitors annually, while smaller estates like Château de Breteuil or Château de Condé provide quieter alternatives. Some, like Château de Guédelon, offer unusual perspectives on medieval construction methods, while restored sites such as Château de Pierrefonds demonstrate 19th-century interpretations of medieval architecture.
Fort Neuf de Vincennes
462 m
Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes
67 m
Donjon du Château de Vincennes
87 m
Esplanade Saint-Louis
375 m
Square Carnot
387 m
Square Carnot
396 m
Immeuble, 11 rue de Montreuil, 1 rue Villebois-Mareuil
409 m
Ancien syndicat d'initiative de Vincennes
416 m
Square Félix-Nadar
472 m
Immeuble, 8 rue Robert-Giraudineau
321 m
Maison, 28 rue Louis-Besquel
287 m
Square Alfred-Landucci
482 m
Immeuble, 32 rue Louis-Besquel, 6 avenue des Minimes
308 m
Immeuble, 5 rue Eugénie-Gérard
413 m
Immeuble, 8 rue d'Estienne-d'Orves
427 m
Immeuble, 31 rue Louis-Besquel, 4 avenue des Minimes
294 m
Immeuble, 13 rue de Montreuil, 2 rue Villebois-Mareuil
424 m
Immeuble, 46 avenue du Général-de-Gaulle
234 m
Immeuble, 17 rue de Montreuil, 1 avenue Lamartine
489 m
Immeuble, 5 rue Villebois-Mareuil
425 m
Immeuble, 28 rue de Montreuil
400 m
Immeuble, 12 rue Louis-Besquel
243 m
Maison, 13 rue Eugénie-Gérard
436 m
Maison, 21 rue Louis-Besquel
260 m
Maison, 25 rue Louis-Besquel
272 m
Maison, 26 rue Louis-Besquel
277 m
Cité Lejemptel
394 m
Maisons, 3-5 rue Louis-Besquel
226 mReviews
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