The Vincennes neighbourhood: a guide around the Best Western Saint Louis
The Château de Vincennes: seven centuries of royal history
This is the town’s emblematic monument, and one of the most impressive in the Île-de-France region. A royal residence from the Middle Ages, the Château de Vincennes owes much to Saint Louis, who enjoyed staying there, and later to Charles V, who transformed it into one of the largest fortresses in Europe.
Visitors can admire its 52-metre keep, the tallest in Europe, which also served as a prison for several famous figures, as well as a Sainte-Chapelle in flamboyant Gothic style inspired by the one on the Île de la Cité. Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, the visit offers a journey through nearly seven centuries of French history.
The Bois de Vincennes: Paris’s great green lung
Right next door lies the Bois de Vincennes, the largest green space in Paris. People come here to run, walk, cycle or simply slow down, along its paths, lawns and four lakes.
Lac Daumesnil, the largest of them, can be explored by boat in summer and is close to the Grande Pagode, home to the tallest Buddha statue in Europe. It is the natural extension of a stay in Vincennes: an open-air playground where you can start the day with a run or end it with a peaceful walk by the water.
The Parc Floral and its gardens
Within the Bois de Vincennes, the Parc Floral de Paris unfolds across 35 hectares of themed gardens, botanical collections and flowerbeds that change with the seasons.
Japanese garden, valley of flowers, children’s play areas: it is an easy and relaxing outing, just steps from the château. In summer, the park also becomes an open-air stage for musical and cultural events that attract visitors from across the Paris region. A classic choice for nature lovers and families.
The Paris Zoo and the Hippodrome
Vincennes and its woodland offer two more major attractions. The Paris Zoo, near Lac Daumesnil, takes visitors through five biozones, from Patagonia to Madagascar, beneath the gaze of its 65-metre Great Rock, visible from afar.
Further south, the Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes is considered the temple of trotting races. It hosts race meetings throughout the year, including the famous Prix d’Amérique in winter. Two ideal outings to vary the pace, whether with family or friends.
Vincennes town centre: a village spirit
Vincennes also has a real town-centre atmosphere. Around Rue de Fontenay and the surrounding shopping streets, the market, cafés and terraces set the tone for a friendly city where people take their time.
Also worth discovering along the way is the Église Saint-Louis de Vincennes, an Art Deco gem from the 1920s. Its bold reinforced-concrete architecture houses frescoes by Maurice Denis and interiors created by leading artists of the period. Another nod to the hotel’s name, and a lesser-known visit well worth making.
Paris just minutes away
One of Vincennes’ greatest advantages is its immediate proximity to Paris. At the terminus of metro line 1, Château de Vincennes station connects directly to Bastille, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées and, further west, the La Défense business district, all without changing lines.
The RER A also provides quick access to central Paris and eastern Île-de-France. This means you can enjoy the calm of a green town in the evening, while keeping the capital within easy reach by metro during the day.
Getting around from the hotel
The neighbourhood is as practical as it is pleasant:
Metro line 1, Château de Vincennes: a few minutes from the hotel, with direct access to central Paris and La Défense.
RER A: a fast way to reach Châtelet, La Défense and eastern Île-de-France.
The château and the Bois on foot: Vincennes’ two major sites are only a few minutes’ walk from the town centre.
By bike or on foot in the Bois: paths and cycle routes make it easy to explore the lakes and parks without using a car.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vincennes a good place to stay near Paris?
Yes. Vincennes offers the calm of a green, residential town while being connected to central Paris in just a few minutes by metro line 1. It is an ideal base for combining Paris sightseeing, local heritage and wide open green spaces.
What can you visit in Vincennes?
The Château de Vincennes and its keep, the Bois de Vincennes and its lakes, the Parc Floral de Paris, the Paris Zoo, the Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes, as well as the town centre and the Église Saint-Louis de Vincennes, an Art Deco gem.
How do you get to central Paris from Vincennes?
Château de Vincennes station, at the terminus of metro line 1, offers direct access to Bastille, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées without changing lines. The RER A provides another fast option to Châtelet and La Défense.
Is Vincennes suitable for a family stay?
Absolutely. Between the Bois de Vincennes, the Parc Floral, the Paris Zoo and walks around the lakes, there are plenty of outdoor activities and child-friendly outings in a calm and safe setting.
Is Vincennes suitable for a business stay?
Yes. Vincennes is a strong base for a business trip: metro line 1 and the RER A provide direct access to central Paris, while the Parc Floral hosts the conference centre as well as many seminars and professional events. After a day of work, the calm of the neighbourhood and the proximity of the Bois de Vincennes offer a welcome break from the bustle of Paris.
Is Vincennes suitable for a couples’ stay?
Absolutely. With the château and its Sainte-Chapelle, walks by the lakes of the Bois de Vincennes, the terraces of the town centre and the gardens of the Parc Floral, Vincennes is well suited to a peaceful and romantic weekend for two, while keeping Paris just minutes away.
How do you get around the neighbourhood?
On foot for the château, the town centre and the Bois de Vincennes; by bike along the woodland paths; and by metro line 1 or RER A to reach Paris and the surrounding area.
Experience Vincennes from the Best Western Saint Louis
Staying at the Best Western Saint Louis means choosing a peaceful base between royal history, wide open spaces and direct access to Paris. Discover our rooms and prepare your stay in Vincennes, just outside the capital.
