A walk from the Château de Vincennes to the entrance of the Coulée verte René-Dumont

The Château de Vincennes is a must-see in the Paris region. Discover a landmark of French history at the gateway to Paris, on the edge of the Bois de Vincennes.The history of the Château de Vincennes begins in the 12th century, when King Louis VII ordered the construction of a hunting lodge in the forest of Vincennes. Under Louis IX (also known as Saint Louis), the site became an official royal residence. By the 14th century, the château took on the appearance we recognize today. King Charles V transformed the modest lodge into a formidable fortress, surrounded by massive walls and towers, and dominated by a 52-metre (170-foot) keep — now considered the tallest medieval fortified structure in Europe. He also commissioned the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle of Vincennes in 1379, though it would not be completed until 1552, during the reign of Henry II. In the 17th century, architect Louis Le Vau—who also worked on Versailles—built the elegant King’s and Queen’s pavilions in a classical style for the young Louis XIV, his mother, and Cardinal Mazarin. When the royal court moved permanently to Versailles in 1682, Vincennes lost its status as a royal residence. The keep (donjon), which had already served as a prison since the 16th century, took on this role more fully in the 18th century. Among its most famous prisoners were Diderot, Latude, Mirabeau, and the infamous Marquis de Sade. Over the following decades, various manufactories — porcelain, faience, and armaments — occupied the site. By the end of the 18th century, the château had fallen into disrepair, until the establishment of the Paris Arsenal in 1796 saved it from ruin. This new military function, however, led to major transformations: the manor of Saint Louis was demolished, some towers were levelled, and casemates were added. Vincennes became home to one of the largest military garrisons in the Paris region. Designated a historic monument in 1913, the Château de Vincennes still reflects this dual heritage. Today, the Ministry of Culture, through the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, manages the Sainte-Chapelle and the keep, both open to the public. The Ministry of Defence oversees the rest of the site, housing the Historical Service of the French Armed Forces, which includes libraries and archives accessible to visitors and researchers alike.

En bordure du Bois de Vincennes, cette maison a été réalisée par l’architecte Victor Francione en 1905.Elle fut d’ailleurs la résidence personnelle de l'architecte ce qui explique l'attention particulière accordée à la décoration de sa façade. Observez le porche d’entrée orné d’une figure féminine dont la chevelure ondulée rappelle les caractéristiques de l’art nouveau. Francione a contribué à l’urbanisation du quartier des Vignerons au début du XXe siècle, notamment dans la rue du Petit-Parc au moment du percement de celle-ci.

Among the four lakes of the Bois de Vincennes, Lake Saint-Mandé is the only one located on the site of a former natural body of water.The original Saint-Mandé pond, formed by a stream flowing down from the heights of Montreuil, served during the Middle Ages first as a fish pond and later as a mud pit. Having become unhealthy and foul-smelling, it was filled in during the 18th century. The current lake was created in 1860 as part of Napoleon III’s transformation of the Bois de Vincennes into a public park. It covers an area of 1.5 hectares (about 3.7 acres). On its shore stands the Chalet du Lac, once Napoleon III’s hunting lodge, later converted into a guinguette (open-air dance hall) in 1904, famous for its lively dance floors and festive atmosphere. Just a short walk away, the puppet theatre, carousels, and pétanque grounds make the area a much-loved family destination for leisurely strolls and outdoor fun.

Located in the heart of Saint-Mandé, Notre-Dame Church is one of the town’s key landmarks and a symbol of its 19th-century urban expansion. The church was built between 1883 and 1885 by architect Edmond-Charles d’Albrizio, replacing an 18th-century chapel that had become too small for the growing local community.Designed in the Neo-Romanesque style, the building is dominated by a massive bell tower-porch, giving it a distinctive and monumental presence. Inside, visitors can discover several listed historic artworks and furnishings, including a beautiful statue of the Virgin and Child from the early 14th century, one of the oldest treasures preserved in Saint-Mandé.

For a scenic and unexpected stroll through Paris’s 12th arrondissement, discover the Coulée verte René-Dumont, a unique elevated park built on a former railway line.Cross the eastern side of Paris, from Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes, by following the Coulée Verte. Along the way, the walk is punctuated by a series of gardens and remnants of the site’s former railway infrastructure, including viaducts and open-cut tunnels, which add historical depth to the route. In this bucolic setting, wild vegetation and modern landscaping coexist in harmony, creating a haven of nature in the city. You’ll also find play areas for children and plenty of spots to relax or enjoy the view, making it a perfect outing for locals and visitors alike.