Château de Vincennes: A Historic Royal Fortress Near Paris

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.chateau-de-vincennes.fr

Country: France

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

The Château de Vincennes is located in the town of Vincennes, France, near Paris, and was built by the medieval French monarchy. Its origins date back to before 1178, when King Louis VII established a royal manor and hunting lodge within the forest of Vincennes. This early use reflected the site’s proximity to the royal capital and its appeal as a retreat for the crown.

In the mid-14th century, during the early phase of the Hundred Years’ War, King Philippe VI transformed the estate from a simple manor into a fortified royal residence. Around 1337, he began construction of the château’s massive central tower, known as the donjon or keep, marking a shift toward strong military defenses. Under King Charles V, born at Vincennes in 1364, the castle saw significant expansion: the donjon was completed around 1369, and between 1372 and 1380, a large fortified enclosure featuring multiple towers and gates was built. Charles V also commissioned the Sainte-Chapelle of Vincennes starting in 1379 to house relics of religious importance, although this chapel was not finished until 1552 under King Henry II.

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the château served as a royal residence for several monarchs, including Louis IX (also known as Saint Louis), Philip III, Philip IV, Charles VI, and Louis XI. It was a notable site for royal life events—including marriages and the deaths of Kings Louis X, Philip V, and Charles IV. In 1470, Louis XI contributed a new pavilion that expanded living quarters within the castle grounds.

By the 17th century, the military purpose of the donjon shifted as it was converted into a state prison, housing prominent inmates such as Nicolas Fouquet, the Marquis de Sade, Mirabeau, and Voltaire. The complex also hosted a porcelain manufactory during the 18th century but was repurposed as a military arsenal from 1796 onwards. During the French Revolution, the castle faced near demolition in 1791 but was spared thanks to the intervention of Lafayette, a prominent revolutionary figure.

In the 19th century, Château de Vincennes continued to serve military functions, including as a fortress and prison. It endured notable sieges during the wars of 1814 and 1815, when General Pierre Daumesnil led its defense. The château also played a military role during both World Wars in the 20th century. However, in 1944, retreating German forces caused extensive damage with explosions during the liberation of Paris.

Since 1948, the site has housed the French Defence Historical Service. Restoration efforts began in the late 20th century, with archaeological excavations conducted from 1992 to 1996 and further conservations work in 2016. Designated as a historic monument, the château remains an important cultural heritage site open to the public.

Remains

The Château de Vincennes occupies a substantial quadrangle covering roughly 330 by 175 meters, enclosed by a fortified stone wall stretching over a kilometer in length. These walls rise to about 11 meters tall and measure roughly 1.1 meters thick, surrounded by a broad stone-lined moat filled by the Ru de Montreuil stream. Originally, the enclosure featured six towers standing approximately 42 meters high and three main gateways, enhancing the castle’s defensive capabilities.

At the heart of the château stands the imposing donjon, a massive square tower rising 52 meters high, with each side measuring about 16.5 meters. Its base walls are extremely thick, around 3.2 meters, supporting the overall structure. Uniquely, this donjon demonstrates an early use of iron reinforcement in medieval construction, with more than two and a half kilometers of iron bars integrated into doorways, window frames, ceilings, and horizontal belts encircling multiple levels to strengthen the stonework. Each corner of the donjon is anchored by a cylindrical tower measuring 6.6 meters in diameter and matching the main tower’s height.

Inside, the donjon has eight floors arranged around large central rooms approximately 10 meters square. The lower levels feature vaulted ceilings supported by central columns, with the ground floor serving as kitchens and storage. The first two floors were designed as royal apartments, richly decorated with oak paneling, painted stone keystones, and coats of arms. The upper floors accommodated servants, soldiers, and later served as prison cells, notable for their barred windows and heavy doors. Initially, access to the donjon was made through a bridge to the first floor, with ground-level entrances added only in the 18th century. It is encircled by a crenelated curtain wall about 50 meters on each side and 11.5 meters tall, equipped with watch turrets and a covered walkway along the battlements.

The Sainte-Chapelle de Vincennes is another prominent structure on the site, constructed between 1379 and 1552. This Gothic chapel measures approximately 40 meters in length, 12 meters in width, and 20 meters in height. Its flamboyant Gothic west façade includes three pointed gabled arches and a large rose window. The interior consists of a single nave with five bays and a polygonal apse with five sides. There are also two side oratories for the king and queen, decorated with coats of arms and stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes, some of which survived partial damage sustained during the French Revolution.

Two classical pavilions dating to the 17th century were added by architect Louis Le Vau. The Pavilion of the King (finished in 1658) and the Pavilion of the Queen (finished in 1660) each rise three stories and contain apartments overlooking gardens or courtyards. These interiors once featured lavish decorations but suffered damage during World War II. Some ceiling panels were salvaged and relocated to the Louvre Museum.

Defensive elements of the château include broad moats and a châtelet, a fortified gatehouse equipped with murder holes and a portcullis for defense against attackers. Originally, nine towers were spaced along the curtain walls; during the 19th century, several were altered or partially demolished, though notable examples such as the Tour du Village and Tour du Bois remain intact.

Archaeological investigations between 1992 and 1996 uncovered nearly 2,800 terracotta tiles originating from the 14th century and identified over 700 different mason’s marks on nearly 90,000 stone blocks. These marks reveal a highly organized system of medieval construction, indicating the diverse teams of stonemasons who worked on the site.

Today, the château includes restored royal apartments within the donjon, the Sainte-Chapelle, the two classical pavilions, and various military buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Continued conservation efforts seek to preserve this significant and complex historic ensemble.