Vincennes: Heritage, Culture and Green Spaces
Accommodation in Vincennes
Vincennes offers several concrete points of interest for planning your trip: architectural history, cultural activities, markets and nearby green spaces. If you’re looking for a hotel in Vincennes, you can first consider whether sightseeing, an event or time outdoors will shape your stay. The local sights and activities offer different ways to tailor your trip to your interests.
Heritage and Architecture
A distinctive architectural landmark is the Church of Saint-Louis de Vincennes. Its original Neo-Byzantine architecture is characteristic of the revival of sacred art in the first half of the 20th century. The church was fully listed as a historic monument in 1996. Guided tours of the church are organized several times a year. If you’d like to attend a tour, check the specific dates.
City History Along Different Routes
The Parcours des panneaux du Patrimoine features 13 historical information panels spread across different neighborhoods of Vincennes. The heritage walks lead through all seven of the city’s neighborhoods. The route also passes buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. Along the way, you’ll encounter different aspects of the city’s history and architecture.
A free app is available for the Parcours architectural audioguidé. It lets visitors discover Vincennes’ historical and architectural heritage and is available year-round. The Vignerons neighborhood is also part of local cultural history: Charles Pathé set up his first studios there at the end of the 19th century.
Culture, Events and Classes
The Festival America is a Vincennes institution and takes place every two years. It covers literature, comics, cinema, music and even street art. If you’d like to plan your trip around a particular edition, check the event dates.
The Espace Sorano houses event spaces, a theater and an exhibition hall. It also offers more than 70 classes in areas such as music, creative arts, games, theater, dance, languages, computing and photography. Access to the Centre historique des archives requires registration as a reader with the Service historique de la DĂ©fense.
Green Spaces and Exercise
The Bois de Vincennes borders Vincennes, is historically associated with the Château de Vincennes and covers 995 hectares. It is the largest green space in Paris. In the Bois, lakes are connected by rivers that create scenic walking routes through the woodland. The forest also offers four fitness trails for outdoor exercise.
The Parc Floral de Paris lies on the edge of the Bois de Vincennes. There, botany, culture and festivals come together with walks and activities for children. Along with the paths and fitness trails in the Bois, the park offers more ways to combine time outdoors with cultural interests or exercise.
Markets and Getting Around
Vincennes has three markets: Fontenay, Diderot and Carnot. As market hours may change, check the latest information if you’re planning a visit.
Vincennes is served by Métro Line 1, with the Château de Vincennes and Bérault stations, and by RER A, with a stop at Vincennes. Check the timetable to plan your specific journey.
Discover more destinations: Fontenay-Sous-Bois, Bonneuil-Sur-Marne, Le Perreux-Sur-Marne, Orly, Villejuif, Villiers-sur-Marne, Joinville-Le-Pont, Limeil-Brévannes.
View the broader travel guide: Val-De-Marne.
