VINCENNES, a commune and market-t. of France, in the dep. of Seine, 5 m.
of the Louvre in Paris. In reality, the town is merely a great fortress and barracks, and is famous for its arsenal, and for its school for the practice of shooting. At the latter, the chasseurs de Vincennes, and all the best marksmen of the army, are trained. Pop. '72, 11,031; '76, 18,243.
Vincennes owes its historical importance to its castle and park. The chateau, the main object of interest in the town, is rectangular in shape, and dates from the middle of the 14th century. It was surrounded by nine towers, which were in existence down to the the year 1808, but of which only one, known as the Donlon de Vincennes, 17f1 fs. high, and with walls 17 ft. thick, remains. The original building dates from the reign of Louis VII., and had its origin in a hunting-lodge, erected here by that sovereign in 1137. I>Iiilippe-Auguste enlarged it, and stocked its woods with wiid animals, sent to him by the king of England. Mere queen Jeanne (wife of Philippe lc Bel), Louis he Huthn, and Charles he Bel, ended their days. Philippe de Valois caused the old man
sion to be demolished, and laid the foundations of the more modern chateau, which, from the middle of the 14th c. till the time of Louis XV., was a royal residence, and the birthplace and place of death of many princely personages. After this time it was used as a prison, and among the famous men who have languished within its doujon, may be mentioned henry IV., the prince of Conde, cardinal de Retz, Mirabeau—who here wrote his translation of Tibuhlus—aad the due d'Enghieu, who was shot in the moat of the castle by order of Bonaparte. There are extensive barracks, known as the New Fort, built 1848-52, and a salle d'Armes, with a large collection of all sorts of weapons. do the center of the Bois de Vincenues, a large tract has been cleared as an ex ercise ground for troops, and for rifle and artillery practice. Other parts of the Bois, which presents much fine scenery, have been embellished with artificial sheets of water, rivulets, and agreeable walks.