The Château de Vincennes is a preserved medieval fortress and former royal residence situated in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To skip the detail and book your tickets, head here. Alternatively, the castle is included in the Paris Museum Pass, which can save you serious money if visiting several Paris attractions.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the €13.00 adult ticket price and the inclusion of the ‘Revelacio’ interactive tablet with standard admission.
Quick facts about the Château de Vincennes
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (summer), 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (winter) |
| Ticket prices | Adults €13.00, Under 18s Free |
| Address | Avenue de Paris, 94300 Vincennes, France |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Château de Vincennes Metro Station (Line 1) |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 hours |
Château de Vincennes opening hours
The Château de Vincennes operates on a seasonal schedule. From 21 May to 21 September, the fortress is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while from 22 September to 20 May, hours shift to 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The last entry is permitted 45 minutes before closing time. The Sainte-Chapelle strictly closes during the lunch period between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., depending on the day. The entire monument is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.
Why book tickets for the Château de Vincennes?
- 🏰 Europe’s Tallest Medieval Keep: Explore the massive 52-meter-high donjon, which served as a secure royal residence for French kings and remains the highest fortified structure of its kind in Europe.
- ⛪ The Sainte-Chapelle: Admire the stunning flamboyant Gothic architecture and beautifully preserved stained glass of this “sister” chapel, inspired by the famous Sainte-Chapelle in central Paris.
- ⛓️ A Notorious Royal Prison: Walk through the historic keep that once functioned as a high-security state prison, housing famous figures such as the Marquis de Sade, Diderot, and Mirabeau.
- 🛡️ Massive Medieval Fortifications: Marvel at the 1,200 meters of defensive walls, nine impressive towers, and the deep dry moat that once protected the heart of French royal power.
- 🌳 The “Lungs of Paris”: Located on the edge of the Bois de Vincennes, the castle offers a perfect combination of medieval history and a peaceful escape into Paris’s largest public park.
Château de Vincennes ticket prices
Admission requires a general entry ticket, which grants access to the entire monument including the keep and chapel.
Standard adult admission costs €13.00, while entry is free for visitors under 18 and EU citizens aged 18 to 25. The Château de Vincennes is included in the Paris Museum Pass, alongside other major regional attractions such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles.
Why book the Paris Museum Pass?
- 🏛️ 60+ Top Museums & Monuments: Enjoy admission to the region’s most iconic cultural sites, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou, and the Panthéon.
- 🏰 Versailles & Beyond: Your pass extends past the city limits to include historic castles like the Palace of Versailles, the Château de Fontainebleau, and the Basilica of Saint-Denis.
- ⚡ Priority Entry: Maximize your sightseeing time with priority access to permanent collections, allowing you to bypass general admission ticket lines at many popular locations.
- 📅 Flexible Duration Options: Choose between a 2, 4, or 6-day pass to perfectly match your travel schedule and explore the city’s artistic heritage at your own pace.
- 💸 Incredible Value: Save significantly on combined entry fees compared to purchasing individual tickets at each site, especially if you plan to visit multiple landmarks per day.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
How to get to the Château de Vincennes
The Château de Vincennes is located immediately east of Paris. Public transport the most direct method of travelling to the venue.
Visitors can take Paris Metro Line 1 directly to the Château de Vincennes terminus, or use the RER A train network to Vincennes station. Both transport hubs require a short walk of under ten minutes to reach the main entrance on Avenue de Paris.
Parking at the Château de Vincennes
There is no general visitor parking available inside the walls of Château de Vincennes.
Visitors driving to the area must use the paid public parking facilities in the surrounding streets of Vincennes or the nearby Bois de Vincennes. A limited number of accessible parking spaces are permitted inside the courtyard strictly for visitors displaying a valid disability card.
How long to spend at the Château de Vincennes
Visitors typically need two hours to complete a self-guided tour of the Château de Vincennes.
This allows enough time to collect the interactive tablet, walk through the central courtyard, explore the interior levels of the 50-metre keep, and view the stained glass windows inside the Sainte-Chapelle.
Accessibility at the Château de Vincennes
The Château de Vincennes provides free admission for visitors with a registered disability and one accompanying carer, as is common with many European castles.
The site features flat, paved areas in the main courtyard making it suitable for mobility devices. However, some interior areas like the upper floors of the keep require navigating historic staircases. Wheelchair users can access the ground floor of the keep and the Sainte-Chapelle using designated ramps.
Inside / what to see at the Château de Vincennes
The primary structure is the 50-metre fortified keep, constructed in the 14th century. Visitors can access the lower floors, including the Council Chamber. They can also visit the former royal apartments, which later served as a state prison holding figures like the Marquis de Sade.
The Sainte-Chapelle is a gothic chapel located opposite the keep within the courtyard. Modelled on the royal chapel in central Paris, it features extensive 16th-century stained glass windows depicting the Apocalypse.
The expansive central courtyard connects these two main structures. It is surrounded by a large defensive wall featuring several medieval towers.
Two classical pavilions, the King’s Pavilion and the Queen’s Pavilion, border the southern end of the courtyard. These 17th-century additions were built for Louis XIV, though their interiors currently house military archives. They are largely closed to general visitors.
A standard adult ticket includes a ‘Revelacio’ tablet, which provides interactive maps and historical reconstructions as visitors walk through the designated public zones.
Practical visitor tips
| Category | Tip |
| Timing | Time your visit to ensure you view the Sainte-Chapelle before or after its daily lunchtime closure. |
| Crowds | Entry is completely free on the first Sunday of the month from November to March, which results in significantly higher visitor numbers. |
| Layout | The site is divided into distinct structures across a large open courtyard, so weather-appropriate clothing is required when moving between buildings. |
| Entry process | Visitors who qualify for free entry must still collect a physical ticket from the main ticket office before proceeding to the entrance gates. |
| On-site logistics | There is no baggage storage facility offered within the monument, and large suitcases are strictly prohibited. |
Frequently asked questions about the Château de Vincennes
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Château de Vincennes suitable for children? | Yes, the site offers a dedicated family route on the interactive tablet and free entry for those under 18. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Château de Vincennes? | Tickets can be purchased on-site, but advance online booking is available and recommended to reduce wait times at the ticket office. |
| Is the Château de Vincennes open on Sundays? | Yes, the site is open on Sundays year-round, following standard seasonal hours. |
| Are bags allowed at the Château de Vincennes? | Standard day bags are permitted after a security check, but large bags and luggage are forbidden on-site. |
Things to do near the Château de Vincennes
- Bois de Vincennes
- Parc Floral de Paris
- Paris Zoological Park
- Palais de la Porte Dorée
- Lac Daumesnil
