While the old chateau had been a significant fortification in its time, by 1840 there was a need for a modern fort at that location, capable of using and defending itself against artillery fire.

[1] The fort remains the property of the Ministry of Defense, supporting a variety of Army activities.

The fort houses the military archives of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

During the Siege of Paris (1870–1871) the fort was the headquarters for General Ribourt, in command of the area around Vincennes.

[2] The fort was the scene of the trials of Jean Bastien-Thiry and the other conspirators in the Petit-Clamart 1962 attempt on the life of President Charles de Gaulle, in which Bastien-Thiry was condemned to death by firing squad.