Fifty meters tall. That’s the Donjon of Vincennes. The highest donjon in Europe. Imagine standing before this imposing structure. Its sheer height speaks of power. Of a king’s ambition.
This wasn’t just a fortress. This Donjon was a home. A royal residence. Built at the request of Charles V in 1367. He wanted a symbol of his power. A statement amidst the Hundred Years War. He got it. The Donjon became the very center of his kingdom.
Within its crenelated walls Charles V housed his court. The first floor held the grand Salle du Conseil. Here he held meetings. Banquets were held here too. Lavish affairs befitting a king. Above were his personal apartments. His study housed precious objects and manuscripts. The third floor? Reserved for his royal family. Think rich tapestries. Fine wood paneling. Portraits of ancestors. A life of luxury within a fortress.
But power also meant justice. In the 15th century the Donjon became a royal prison. Famous names passed through its cells. Diderot. Mirabeau. The Marquis de Sade. Their stories echo through its walls. The Donjon remained a prison. Even during World War II. Prisoners left their mark. Lead pencil graffiti remains.
The French Revolution saw the Donjon’s role shift again. It became a military fortress. Napoleon used it as a barracks and arsenal. Protecting Paris from Prussian invasions. It even served as the French general staff’s headquarters in 1939.
Today the Donjon stands restored. A testament to history. A reminder of kings. Of prisoners. Of wars. A symbol of France’s enduring power. It’s a place you can feel the weight of centuries. A place to witness the grandeur and the grit of the past. A truly exceptional visit.