It was the weekend following two whole weeks of below-freezing temperatures. The sky was bright blue, the sun was shining, it was about 10*F and probably zero with the wind chill. Gorgeous and frigid. After about 20 minutes outside in the windswept courtyard, all of us were hopping up and down to try and stay warm. 10 minutes later and I was sure my toes were going to fall off. Only an hour and a half to go!
Entry gate
The Château de Vincennes was first built in the mid-1100s as a hunting lodge outside of medieval Paris. It was later fortified and used for centuries as either a stronghold or a prison.
Le donjon
The castle boasts the highest donjon still standing in Europe today. But donjon doesn't mean "dungeon" in English, it's the keep, or residential section of the fortified castle. The keep at Vincennes is 12 to 15 stories tall! We didn't get to go all the way to the top (we probably would have been blown away by the wind!) but apparently the view is great. I've made a mental note to go back in the spring when it'll be warmer.
Prisoners' drawings
After the medieval era, the castle was used as a prison, holding Voltaire, the Marquis de Sade, Diderot and others during the 18th century and Mata Hari was executed at the castle in 1917.
Painted rib-vaults in the king's chamber
La Sainte-Chapelle
King Louis IX, known as Saint Louis for his participation in the crusades and for his pious ways, had this Sainte-Chapelle built, not to be confused with the one he built in the center of Paris, to hold the crown of thorns and other relics from the Passion. They didn't stay there for long, however, before being transferred to the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.
La Sainte-Chapelle
The rose window
Looking forward to spring so I can go back and check out the rest of the donjon and the view from the top... But I have a thesis to write before then!
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