Château and Sainte-Chapelle
At fifty-two metres, the keep of Vincennes is the tallest still standing in Europe. A favourite residence of the Capetian kings, the château saw Saint Louis, Henry II and many other figures of French history pass through. Inside the walls, the Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic masterpiece commissioned by Charles V, impresses with its restored stained-glass windows. A date rich in history, a step from the metro.
Bois de Vincennes and Lac Daumesnil
Right next door, the Bois de Vincennes unfolds nearly one thousand hectares of woods, lakes and lawns. Lac Daumesnil, with its two islands linked by a bridge, can be explored by rowboat, on foot or by bike. The Parc Floral, with its themed beds and its big summer stage, hosts free concerts from spring on: a musical date that has become a ritual for many Parisians.
Old Vincennes, market and Rue du Midi
Between two visits, the centre of Vincennes keeps its small-town soul: café terraces on Place Pierre-Sémard, shops on Rue du Midi, and an organic market on Sunday morning, one of the liveliest in eastern Paris. On Lyad, people from Vincennes share their favourite tables and paths; a chance to find someone to extend the day in the woods with.
Date ideas
- Château de Vincennes
- Vincennes Keep
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Bois de Vincennes
- Lac Daumesnil
- Parc Floral
- Vincennes market
- Rue du Midi
