It all started as a hunting lodge for Louis VII in 1150. However Vincennes was also used as a royal residence where two kings married and three kings died. In the 17th century the building was enlarged by two isolated ranges commissioned by Louis XIV, destined his for mother and Cardinal Mazarin. However royal interest vanished due to the construction of Versailles. It was here that Fouquet was jailed, much less luxuriously than Vaux-le-Vicomte. Other famous prisoners followed such as the Marquis de Sade, Mirabeau and Diderot. From 1796 is served simply as an arsenal.

It was Napoleon III who took the initiative to restore the site and chapel. He transformed the park in English landscape style and made it available to the public. With its 995 ha le Bois de Vincennes is the largest public park in Paris.

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