Vincennes 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.
71°F
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.
Best Things to Do in Vincennes#
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Vincennes Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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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.
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.
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 best reached and explored using Paris’ extensive metro/RER network; Metro Line 1 and RER A offer the quickest links. For local trips, buses, bikes and walking are practical and convenient.
- RER A / Metro Line 1 (€1.90) - Fast and frequent: Metro Line 1 terminates at Château de Vincennes and RER A serves Vincennes station. Trains run every few minutes in daytime, making central Paris accessible in under 20 minutes. Use a Navigo pass or buy single T+ tickets (€1.90).
- Bus (RATP) (€1.90) - Local RATP buses cover neighbourhood routes and can be more direct for some destinations. Buses accept the same tickets/passes as metro/RER inside Paris zones. Useful evenings when metro is less convenient.
- Taxi / Rideshare (€8-€25) - Taxis and rideshares (Uber) are readily available for door-to-door travel, especially late at night. Short rides inside Vincennes are inexpensive; expect higher fares for trips into central Paris during peak traffic.
- Bike / Vélib’ - Vélib’ public bikes and many cycle lanes make short trips pleasant. There are docks around Château de Vincennes and the town centre - good for sightseeing and short commutes.
- Walking - Vincennes is compact and walkable; the park (Bois de Vincennes) and town centre are easily covered on foot. Walking is often faster than short bus trips.
Where to Stay in Vincennes#
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.
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.
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.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Vincennes’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
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.
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.
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