A royal residence from the 12th to the 18th century, the Château de Vincennes has preserved its walls, its medieval towers, its Sainte-Chapelle and its 14th-century keep, the highest in Europe. Charles V, King of France, had the family manor of Vincennes transformed in 1365 to make it more convenient to live in and built the present dungeon to house his collections of art objects and manuscripts. From the beginning of the 15th century until the 19th century, the dungeon became a prison, a symbol of the secrecy of justice, where Fouquet, the Marquis de Sade, Mirabeau and others were detained. The Sainte-Chapelle, begun in 1379, offers visitors a remarkable décor and fulfils the dream of Charles V by adding an exceptional religious building to the fortress. Now visit the châtelet's parapet walk and discover the two offices of the King's secretary. The sacristy, the attic and the treasury room are now open to visitors in the Sainte-Chapelle.
Opening and closing times
KEEP
From 21/05 to 22/09, daily between 10 AM and 6 PM.
From 23/09 to 20/05, daily between 10 AM and 5 PM.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
HOLY CHAPEL
From 21/05 to 22/09, daily between 10.30 AM and 5.30 PM - closed from 1pm to 2pm
From 23/09 to 20/05, daily between 10.30 AM and 4.30 PM - closed from 1pm to 2pm
Between the 1st of April and the 20th May, on week ends and bank holidays : from 10.30 AM to 1PM and from 2PM to 5.30 PM
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
Last entry on site : 45min before closing times
Free entry every 1st sunday of the month between November and March
The keep and the Holy Chapel are open on 1st and 11th of November.
Group adults: 7 € (From 20 persons) Set price group children: 30 € (Schools).
Free entry for children < 18 years. Group rate available for > 20 people.
From 21/05 to 22/09/2022 Full price: 9.50 €.
From 23/09/2022 to 20/05/2023 Full price: 9.50 €.
Free entry for children < 18 years. Group rate available for > 20 people.
Free for : -18-25 years old (European Union citizens and regular residents non-euopeans on European Union territory) - Disabled people and their attendant For all, every first sunday of the month from 1st of November to 31st of March
Included in the Paris Museum Pass: free access.
Payment methods accepted
Bank/credit card
Check
Travellers Cheque
Cash
Culture voucher
Reception
Types of customers
Children
Groups
Home school groups
Groups
Minimum number of people : 20
Animals
Animals accepted
Guide and assistance dogs welcome
Visits
Types of visits available
Unguided individual tours available permanently
Guided individual tours available permanently
Unguided group tours available permanently
Guided group tours on request
Average length of visit
90 minutes (individual)
90 minutes (groups)
Services and facilities
Facilities
Car park
Meeting room
Parking
Toilets
Services
Educational visits
Guided tours
Room hire
Shop
Activities
Temporary exhibition
Languages
Spoken languages
English
French
Documentation languages
Chinese
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Visit languages
French
Languages of educational signs
English
French
Audioguide languages
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Spanish
Additional information
- Audio-guided visit Languages offered: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese. Commentary on the whole site with a detailed tour of the dungeon. Duration: 45 min. Single price: € 3 in addition to the entrance ticket