This park doesn't have as many gardens and restaurants equally its western counterpart, but there is more of a sense of wilderness in this vast patch of greenery on the eastern stop of Paris. Endless paths and alleys wind through forest and open fields; this is a great identify for a long bike ride or a hike. Not that there are just trees here—if rambling isn't your game, there are plenty of other things to do as well. For starters, there is the recently reopened Parc Zoologique de Paris, a state-of-the-art zoo. So there are the remains of a medieval castle, the Château de Vincennes, and a large garden in the park, besides as theaters and a hippodrome for those who prefer to sit back and lookout man the action. In short, Bois de Vincennes has almost as many pleasures as the Bois de Boulogne, if not as much elegance.

Similar the Bois de Boulogne, the Bois de Vincennes was once a royal hunting ground with a guild congenital past Louis VII back in the 12th century. Past the 13th century, it had grown into a castle, which Louis IX (St-Louis) became very fond of; it is said that he dispensed justice nether one of the nearby oak trees. It wasn't until the 18th century, under Louis XV, that these forest were turned into a public park; unfortunately, afterward the Revolution, the regular army decided to use it as a training ground, and the castle became a prison (some of its more than famous lodgers included the Marquis de Sade and the philosopher Denis Diderot). Needless to say, this did not do wonders for the landscaping. Finally, in the 19th century, Napoleon Three fabricated the park part of his urban renewal scheme, and it got the same thorough makeover every bit the Bois de Boulogne. Its troubles were not completely over, yet. In 1944, the retreating German army left the chateau in ruins, but it has since been about completely restored.

A few of the park's loftier points:

*The Parc Zoologique de Paris (aka the Paris Zoo).

*The Parc Floral: Created in 1969, this modern mix of flower beds, ponds, picnic areas, and playgrounds (including a few rides) is a very pleasant identify to spend the afternoon, particularly between May and September when the open-air theater holds costless music and theater performances. In July, the Paris Jazz Festival takes off for 3 weeks, and in virtually of August and September, the Festival Classique au Vert cooks up a great program of classical music. For the kids, Guignol puppet shows (http://guignolparcfloral.blogspot.com/; 2.80€ adults and children) play most Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at three and 4pm, and daily during school holidays.

*The Château de Vincennes: It took 12 years to restore this old royal castle (the heart of France'due south monarchy until Louis XIV decided to move to Versailles in 1682) and the outcome—an ivory-colored compound with gracious, turreted ramparts—is truly beautiful. You tin can visit the imposing castle keep, a gothic chapel with 16th-century stained-glass windows, and the multi-turreted ramparts, on superlative of which yous can have a stroll and pretend you are a knight on the spotter for enemy invaders. For the all-time views opt for a guided bout of the go along's upper floors, usually closed to the public, though be prepared for a 250-step climb (av. de Paris, 12th arrond.; http://world wide web.chateau-de-vincennes.fr/en/01-48-08-31-20; 9€ adults, seven€ visitors 18–25, free for children 17 and under and E.U. citizens 26 and nether; daily mid-Sept to mid-May 10am–5pm, mid-May to mid-Sept 10am–6pm; Métro: Château de Vincennes).

Similar the Bois de Boulogne, the park has enough of other outdoor activities. You can hire bikes in front of either of the ii large lakes or on the esplanade past the château or rent boats for rowing around the lake. At that place are several playgrounds, as well equally a farm (La Ferme de Paris), where children can watch cows being milked and sheep being shorn on weekends (daily during school holidays). Thoroughbred racing fans tin also check out the hippodrome (www.letrot.com).