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Paris - Vincennes (Bois & Chateau)

So, we walked the entire length of the Prominade Plantee yesterday and ended up a spit and a hop from the Bois de Vincennes. I wanted to explore but spouse wasn't sure if it was a good idea (safe, etc.) -- we each recall long, long ago advice to avoid the "Bois" in general (in particular, the Bois de Boulogne -- the Bois is dangerous, dark and deep...). So, we turned back and walked to Bercy and the Bibliotheque 'bookends'. I offered to do some research.

The Wiki data on the Chateau de Vincennes, and the park in general, makes it sound like a worthy place to visit/explore. Any experiences? (good or bad).

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Hi Keri:

I visited the chateau de Vincenes in 1995 and really enjoyed the site. It seems that it is the castle/fort closest to Paris - you just ride to the end of the Metro line and walk a few blocks. The tour was given in French but they pass out a guide which explains everything in English. There is a chapel with a great stain glass window within the chateau - something like a mini-St Chapelle. Great place to take photographs of a middle ages fort. In one of the filled in moats Mata Hari was executed by firing squad. Seems like there are not very many foreign tourists when I visited - mainly French school kids plus a couple from mainland China.