The 8 Best Historic Sites in Val-de-Marne, Ile-de-France

Erected between 1879 and 1881, the Fort of Sucy was a component of the 2nd Fortified Belt of Paris, a system put in place by General Sere de Rivieres after the siege of the capital in 1870. The Fort is one of the last examples in freestone of military architecture from the end of the 19th Century. Free guided tours the first Sunday of each month at 15:00.

The Chateau de Vincennes was used as royal residence from the 12th to 18th century and it has preserved its medieval towers, the Sainte-Chapelle and the 14th century keep which is the highest of its kind in Europe. In 1365, Charles V, King of France, transformed the family manor house at Vincennes into a more suitable royal dwelling and built the present keep to house his art collection and manuscripts. From the early 15th century to the 1800s, the keep was used as a prison, a symbol of absolute State power, which saw the imprisonment of famous figures such as Fouquet, the Marquis de Sade, and Mirabeau. After extensive restoration work, the Sainte-Chapelle at the Château de Vincennes has re-opened to the public and visitors can now fully admire its remarkable decorative ensemble. Started in 1379, and based on the model of the royal chapel in the Palais de la Cité in Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle at Vincennes realised the dreams of King Charles V to add a truly exceptional religious edifice to this impressive fortress. Open: > 1st April to 30th September: from 10 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 1st October to 31st March: from 10 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 8,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups