When we think of medieval ruins, we tend to forget that it is not always necessary to travel far to admire them . The Château de Vincennes and its fortified ramparts are a perfect example. Formerly the residence of the kings of France, this magnificent castle has the distinction of housing… the tallest keep in Europe.
The tallest keep in Europe at the gates of Paris
Who would have thought that the outskirts of Paris hide such a marvel? At 52 meters high, the keep of the Château de Vincennes is certainly one of the most remarkable in our country. To compensate for the lack of relief in the surrounding area, our ancestors had the ingenious idea of erecting a very high fortified tower to better surveil the county. Completed under Charles V, this keep is a military architectural feat that played a major role in the Hundred Years’ War. Its impressive size served to establish the king’s authority and power in the eyes of his enemies .
Tallest keep in Europe Paris
But inside, it was the king’s refinement that was on display. The sovereign installed one of the first royal libraries there and settled his family in this residence, which was fortified but equally luxurious inside, with wood paneling, objets d’art, precious manuscripts, tapestries, and refined apartments. Then, in the 15th century , the keep underwent a change of scenery, becoming a royal prison of choice and then a state prison in the 19th century. Thanks to its very thick walls, it represented the ultimate prison. In the meantime, the keep resumed its primary military function, becoming a barracks under Napoleon I, then the command center for the general staff from 1939 to 1940.
Today, this magnificent monument can still be visited throughout the year and is definitely worth a look.