Butte aux canons

Butte aux Canons is a raised earthwork in the Bois de Vincennes that rises approximately 71 meters above sea level. Two well-maintained paths with railings provide access to the top, where the view stretches across the park and beyond.

An artillery training range was established here in the late 1830s after the previous site was relocated elsewhere. The elevated position made this spot suitable for military exercises that continued until the 1950s.

The mound once served as a training ground where military units practiced artillery fire for decades. Today the site has become a peaceful viewpoint where visitors can understand the landscape's former military purpose.

Access is via two well-marked paths with railings located between Route Saint-Hubert and Route de la Demi-Lune. Wear sturdy shoes for the climb, and visit during quieter weekday mornings to enjoy the viewpoint without crowds.

From the summit you can see the turrets of Château de Vincennes and the distant eastern suburbs of Paris, a view many visitors do not anticipate. The eastern perspective reveals how the city extends beyond the forest boundaries.