PARIS (AP) — For visitors to France overwhelmed by the crowds at Versailles, the Paris region offers a calmer chateau experience: The fortress of Vincennes, a medieval royal residence with the tallest keep in Europe that once held renowned figures such as the Marquis de Sade.

The massive fortress east of Paris, just 15 minutes from the city center by metro, immerses visitors in history as soon as they walk through the drawbridge.

The castle is much older than Versailles and closer to Paris, local guide Cindy Smili-Yesli said. “It’s a fairly quiet castle,” she said. “The visiting conditions are much more pleasant. Here, you can really take a close look at every detail of the decor in the keep.”

Vincennes welcomes up to 145,000 visitors a year, when over eight million visit Versailles.

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