Vincennes Travel Guide

City City in Île-de-France, France with history

A medieval keep overlooks Vincennes, spilling visitors into the Château de Vincennes, the Bois de Vincennes for cycling and picnics, and lively markets that feel Parisian but quieter.

Costs

$120-$180 per day

Day-trip friendly; similar costs to Paris suburbs.

Safety

Mostly safe with urban petty-crime risk

Generally safe; normal Paris-area pickpocket risk near stations and parks.

Best Time

April to October

Pleasant weather and park blooms; avoid peak Paris winter gloom.

In This Guide

Why Visit Vincennes?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

45,923

Infrastructure & Convenience

Excellent Paris transit links (metro/RER/buses); walkable parks and tourist signage.

Popularity

Busy with Parisians and families; quiet compared with central Paris.

Known For

Château de Vincennes, Bois de Vincennes, Parc Floral, medieval keep, Vincennes Zoo, royal history, markets, day-trip proximity to Paris

The Château de Vincennes has one of Europe's tallest medieval keeps, a 52‑metre donjon from the 14th century.

Why Visit Vincennes? #

Just east of Paris, Vincennes mixes medieval charm with expansive green space that appeals to city-weary travelers. The Château de Vincennes with its towering keep and the Bois de Vincennes park supply history and wide outdoor lawns, while the Hippodrome de Vincennes and the Parc Floral add sporting and botanical interests. Stroll Rue de Fontenay and the lively market near the château to taste regional cheeses and classic bistro fare in an easy Parisian escape.

Top Things to Do in Vincennes

All Attractions ›

Eiffel Tower

Iron lattice tower and Paris landmark with city views

Monument

Louvre

Former royal palace housing major art collection

Museum

Arc de Triomphe

Triumphal arch honoring French military victories

Arch

Palace of Versailles

Former royal château with expansive formal gardens

Palace

Notre-Dame de Paris

Gothic cathedral on Île de la Cité

Church

Sacré-Cœur, Paris

White basilica atop Montmartre hill in Paris

Church

Musée d'Orsay

Museum housed in former railway station showcasing art

Museum

Disneyland Paris

Large theme park resort featuring Disney attractions

Amusement Park

Don't Miss

Château de Vincennes and Sainte-Chapelle - Tour the medieval Château de Vincennes and Sainte-Chapelle with tall keep and royal chapel.
Bois de Vincennes - Enjoy landscapes, boating, and Parc Floral events within Paris's largest eastern park.
Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes - Catch a trot race at the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes for lively evening entertainment.

Hidden Gems

Parc Zoologique de Paris (Vincennes Zoo) - Visit the Parc Zoologique de Paris inside the Bois for redesigned habitats and family displays.
Parc Floral de Paris - Discover themed gardens and seasonal exhibitions tucked within the expansive Bois de Vincennes.
Local markets and cafés around Château - Browse neighbourhood markets and cafés near the château for regional produce and relaxed cafés.

Day Trips

Central Paris by RER A - Hop RER A into central Paris to visit Bastille, Marais, and major museums.
Château de Versailles - Travel to Château de Versailles for palace state rooms and formal gardens.

Best Time to Visit Vincennes #

Vincennes is best between late spring and early autumn when temperatures are pleasant for its famous park and château. Winters are quiet and cold, good if you prefer museums and fewer crowds.

Winter

December - February · 1-7°C (34-45°F)

Chilly, often gray days in the parks and along the château; good for museum visits and avoiding crowds, but bundle up.

Spring

March - May · 8-18°C (46-64°F)

Crisp, blossoming gardens and pleasant walks; ideal for strolling Vincennes' park and cafés before summer tourist bustle arrives.

Summer

June - August · 16-25°C (61-77°F)

Warm, lively streets and long daylight perfect for park picnics and outdoor terraces; expect more tourists and occasional heatwaves.

Best Time to Visit Vincennes #

Climate

Vincennes's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (639 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit

AugustJuneJuly

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

40°

Warmest Month

-12°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

2° – 7°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

52 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.6h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

46 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

10.0h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 12°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

49 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

6° – 15°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

52 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 62 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

62 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

15.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 22°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

57 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

15.8h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

14° – 25°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

15.5h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

14° – 25°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

44 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

52 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

3° – 8°

93%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

56 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.2h daylight

How to Get to Vincennes

Vincennes is a close-in suburb east of central Paris served by Metro Line 1 and RER A. The easiest international access is via Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly, then a simple transfer into the city's metro/RER network.

By Air

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): From CDG take the RER B to Châtelet-Les Halles then Metro Line 1 east to Château de Vincennes (or change to RER A where convenient). Total journey time is typically 45-60 minutes; expect around €10-€12 for the airport-central Paris leg (RER/airport fare) plus a metro single ticket (€1.90) if transferring without a pass.

Paris Orly (ORY): From Orly you can take the Orlyval to Antony and then RER B to central Paris, or the direct Orlybus to Denfert-Rochereau and transfer to Metro/Line 1. Journey to Vincennes is about 35-50 minutes. Single fares from Orly into central Paris typically range from ~€8-€12 depending on the route.

By Train & Bus

Train: Vincennes is served by the RER A (Vincennes station) and Metro Line 1 (Château de Vincennes). From central Paris the trip is quick - about 10-20 minutes from central RER A stops. Single ticket (T+) is €1.90 for a single metro/RER trip within Paris zones.

Bus: Several RATP bus lines link Vincennes with eastern Paris neighbourhoods. Buses are useful for short hops across the arrondissement and for reaching spots not on the metro; same ticketing rules apply as for metro/RER within central Paris.

How to Get Around Vincennes #

Vincennes is compact and very walkable, especially around the Château and the market areas. It’s well connected to Paris by Métro Line 1 (Château de Vincennes) and RER/bus links; expect standard Paris metro fares and take Vélib’ or local buses for short hops.

Where to Stay in Vincennes #

Budget

Bois de Vincennes / Château - €50-120/night

Affordable guesthouses and budget chain rooms are limited but available close to the Château and Bois de Vincennes; many cheaper options lie across Paris by metro.

Mid-Range

Vincennes centre - €90-170/night

Good mid-range choices cluster near Vincennes' town centre and metro; boutique hotels offer convenient access to Paris while being quieter than central arrondissements.

Luxury

Near Château / Paris edge - €180+/night

Vincennes itself has very few true luxury hotels; for premium properties, look into nearby Paris (12th arrondissement) or the Bois de Vincennes edge.

Where to Eat in Vincennes #

Note

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Vincennes's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

French

Italian

Japanese

Burger

Asian

Kebab

Chinese

Sandwich

Indian

Thai

Vietnamese

Chicken

Sushi

Lebanese

Crepe

Korean

Turkish

Regional

African

Nightlife in Vincennes #

Nightlife in Vincennes is low-key and neighbourhood-driven, with restaurants and cafés around the market square and Rue de Fontenay. There are few late-night clubs; evenings are generally about relaxed dining and casual bars.

Shopping in Vincennes #

Shopping in Vincennes centers on independent shops along Rue de Fontenay and small specialty stores near the market square. Weekly markets and food stalls sell fresh produce and regional items; larger shopping is a short trip into eastern Paris.