Château de Vincennes, Medieval castle in Vincennes, eastern Paris, France
The Château de Vincennes is a medieval castle on the eastern edge of Paris, in the area of Vincennes. It consists of a tall central tower, a deep stone moat, thick outer walls, and a chapel inside the grounds.
The site was first used as a royal residence in the 12th century, then transformed into a fortress in the 14th century under King Charles V. Over the following centuries it served as a prison, a military base, and an arms workshop before becoming the monument it is today.
The Sainte-Chapelle inside the castle grounds is one of the most visible examples of Gothic art in the Paris area. Its stained glass windows cast colored light across the interior, something visitors tend to notice right away.
The castle is directly reachable by metro, with an exit close to the main gate. It is worth planning separate time for the chapel and the tower, as both can take a while to explore.
The central tower once had eight floors, each used for a different purpose, including sleeping quarters, treasury rooms, and guard spaces. The walls were once painted in bright colors, something that is barely visible today.
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