Written on April 10, 2009 at 5:42 pm by Jennie

How do we feel about Vincennes?

Filed under French Culture {12 comments}

David received the paperwork so that he could put the cities in order of preference, and for the Paris position, it is actually listed as “Vincennes – Institut de la gestion publique et du développement économique.” I know Vincennes is right outside of Paris and very densely populated, but do you think it’s a place I would like? The château and the bois de Vincennes look nice at least.

So far he’s put down: 1. Chambéry, 2. Lyon, 3. Strasbourg, 4. Dijon, 5. Nantes, and 6. Caen. Besides all of the Ile-de-France cities, he still needs to decide where to put Digne, Nevers, Châteauroux, and Saint-Denis. And apparently he has heard so many bad things about Châteauroux that he wants to put it at number 17, after Saint-Denis in La Réunion! I don’t know anyone who lives there, but David seems to think it’s the most awful place in France. Please someone tell me he is wrong because I would rather be there than Paris…

Thank you for all your input on this! I appreciate it!

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http://toutesdirectionspourlafrance.blogspot.com/ L

I visited the chateau/keep with Sam when we were in Paris and I loved Vincennes. Apparently it’s really bourgeois (the buildings were beautiful), so rent might be a little high, but the little I saw was nice. It felt like mini Paris: the buildings were smaller, there were little stores, and a nice village/town feeling. The Bois de Vincennes has a bunch of different parts (zoo, floral park, ponds, paths, etc etc) and what we visited was nice. Of course B made jokes about the prostitutes, but I’m hoping they were just jokes.

Ls last blog post..A kilo of butter
http://toutesdirectionspourlafrance.blogspot.com L

I visited the chateau/keep with Sam when we were in Paris and I loved Vincennes. Apparently it’s really bourgeois (the buildings were beautiful), so rent might be a little high, but the little I saw was nice. It felt like mini Paris: the buildings were smaller, there were little stores, and a nice village/town feeling. The Bois de Vincennes has a bunch of different parts (zoo, floral park, ponds, paths, etc etc) and what we visited was nice. Of course B made jokes about the prostitutes, but I’m hoping they were just jokes.

Ls last blog post..A kilo of butter
http://bisoufrancaise.blogspot.com/ Amerigirl

After living in the country-side for 2 years in a place with few other Anglo-phone residents (I am the only American in my town), I think it would be lovely to be near VO theaters (the nearest is 2 hours away), shopping, other expats, other moms raising bilingual kids, etc. Even stuff like museums, nice kid play parks, zoos, aquariums would be a big bonus. Maybe the other cities on your list have all that stuff. But even living near Marseille (40km), these things are lacking.

Amerigirls last blog post..Maternity Ward Fashion
http://bisoufrancaise.blogspot.com/ Amerigirl

After living in the country-side for 2 years in a place with few other Anglo-phone residents (I am the only American in my town), I think it would be lovely to be near VO theaters (the nearest is 2 hours away), shopping, other expats, other moms raising bilingual kids, etc. Even stuff like museums, nice kid play parks, zoos, aquariums would be a big bonus. Maybe the other cities on your list have all that stuff. But even living near Marseille (40km), these things are lacking.

Amerigirls last blog post..Maternity Ward Fashion
http://www.franceprofonde.blogspot.com/ Betty C.

I’m afraid I’m another one who feels that Châteauroux is one of the bleakest, most depressing towns in France. HOWEVER, I did meet someone once who lived there and he or she told me that the people were very nice and that there was a vibrant cultural and social life! So that’s what I know.

Betty C.s last blog post..A Grand Getaway
http://www.franceprofonde.blogspot.com Betty C.

I’m afraid I’m another one who feels that Châteauroux is one of the bleakest, most depressing towns in France. HOWEVER, I did meet someone once who lived there and he or she told me that the people were very nice and that there was a vibrant cultural and social life! So that’s what I know.

Betty C.s last blog post..A Grand Getaway
http://www.lindamathieu.com/ Linda

I live in the 12th arrondissement not far from Vincennes. I think it has a nice feel. It doesn’t seem to be very vibrant or lively with lots of young people but I don’t think I’d mind living there.

Lindas last blog post..Dear Diary 4
http://www.lindamathieu.com Linda

I live in the 12th arrondissement not far from Vincennes. I think it has a nice feel. It doesn’t seem to be very vibrant or lively with lots of young people but I don’t think I’d mind living there.

Lindas last blog post..Dear Diary 4
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=82301341 Amanda

The woman who ran my study abroad program lived in St. Mande which is right next to Vincennes. It’s adorable and if you really hate Paris you could stay in St. Mande and Vincennes and pretend you don’t live near Paris. It’s outside of the boulevard peripherique so it operates pretty independently (though I do think deliberately not going in to Paris would be a little stubborn! ) It’s a little on the pricey side though.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=82301341 Amanda

The woman who ran my study abroad program lived in St. Mande which is right next to Vincennes. It’s adorable and if you really hate Paris you could stay in St. Mande and Vincennes and pretend you don’t live near Paris. It’s outside of the boulevard peripherique so it operates pretty independently (though I do think deliberately not going in to Paris would be a little stubborn! ) It’s a little on the pricey side though.
http://emilylaparisienne.blogspot.com/ Emily

I agree…St. Mandée is just lovely! I have a friend that lives just next to the park and you can see the chateau from her window! The metro line 1 goes directly there as well so it’s convenient.

Emilys last blog post..A Metro No-No
http://emilylaparisienne.blogspot.com/ Emily

I agree…St. Mandée is just lovely! I have a friend that lives just next to the park and you can see the chateau from her window! The metro line 1 goes directly there as well so it’s convenient.

Emilys last blog post..A Metro No-No