This park doesn't take as many gardens and restaurants as its western counterpart, but in that location is more of a sense of wilderness in this vast patch of greenery on the eastern end of Paris. Endless paths and alleys wind through woods and open fields; this is a great place for a long bicycle ride or a hike. Not that there are merely trees hither—if rambling isn't your game, in that location are plenty of other things to do as well. For starters, there is the recently reopened Parc Zoologique de Paris, a state-of-the-fine art zoo. Then there are the remains of a medieval castle, the Château de Vincennes, and a large garden in the park, as well equally theaters and a hippodrome for those who prefer to sit back and watch the activity. In short, Bois de Vincennes has nearly as many pleasures as the Bois de Boulogne, if non as much elegance.

Like the Bois de Boulogne, the Bois de Vincennes was once a imperial hunting ground with a lodge congenital by Louis Seven back in the twelfth century. By the 13th century, it had grown into a castle, which Louis Nine (St-Louis) became very fond of; it is said that he dispensed justice under 1 of the nearby oak copse. It wasn't until the 18th century, under Louis XV, that these woods were turned into a public park; unfortunately, after the Revolution, the army decided to use it every bit a training ground, and the castle became a prison house (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 III made the park part of his urban renewal scheme, and it got the same thorough makeover equally the Bois de Boulogne. Its troubles were non completely over, notwithstanding. In 1944, the retreating German ground forces left the chateau in ruins, simply it has since been almost completely restored.

A few of the park's high 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 place to spend the afternoon, especially between May and September when the open-air theater holds gratuitous music and theater performances. In July, the Paris Jazz Festival takes off for 3 weeks, and in nigh of August and September, the Festival Classique au Vert cooks upwardly a slap-up program of classical music. For the kids, Guignol boob shows (http://guignolparcfloral.blogspot.com/; 2.lxxx€ adults and children) play virtually Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 3 and 4pm, and daily during school holidays.

*The Château de Vincennes: It took 12 years to restore this sometime majestic castle (the heart of French republic'southward monarchy until Louis 14 decided to move to Versailles in 1682) and the result—an ivory-colored chemical compound with gracious, turreted ramparts—is truly beautiful. You tin visit the imposing castle continue, a gothic chapel with 16th-century stained-drinking glass windows, and the multi-turreted ramparts, on top of which you lot tin take a stroll and pretend you are a knight on the watch for enemy invaders. For the best views opt for a guided tour of the continue's upper floors, normally closed to the public, though be prepared for a 250-step climb (av. de Paris, 12th arrond.; http://www.chateau-de-vincennes.fr/en/01-48-08-31-xx; 9€ adults, 7€ 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 plenty of other outdoor activities. You can hire bikes in front end of either of the two large lakes or on the esplanade past the château or hire boats for rowing around the lake. In that location are several playgrounds, besides as a farm (La Ferme de Paris), where children can watch cows being milked and sheep beingness shorn on weekends (daily during school holidays). Thoroughbred racing fans tin also check out the hippodrome (www.letrot.com).