Middle Ages day-trip with 2 castles around Paris

Overview

The Château de Vincennes is a must see in the Paris region. Its history began in the 12th century, when Louis VII decided to build a hunting lodge in the forest of Vincennes. It was under Louis IX that the Château officially became a royal residence. In the 14th century, the Château assumed the appearance we know today: King Charles V decided to build a vast wall, towers and an over 50-metre tall keep, today considered to be the tallest medieval fortified building in Europe. He also started construction work on the Sainte-Chapelle in 1379, which was not completed until 1552 under the reign of Henri II. The Blandy Les Tours castle is a rare example of medieval military architecture in Paris area. From a simple fortified manor to a fortified castle during the Hundred Years’ War, from the Renaissance residential castle to the Ferme des tours (Farm of the towers), the castle of Blandy-les-Tours has gone through the centuries and has counted many prestigious families among its owners.