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Origin and history

The Écouen castle, built between 1538 and 1555 for Anne de Montmorency, connetable of France and close to the kings Francis I and Henry II, embodies the ambition of a powerful man. Inspired by Italian palaces discovered during the Italian wars, this semi-royal castle was designed to compete with royal residences. Montmorency welcomed Henry II and Catherine de Medici, making Écouen a place of power and prestige. Architects Jean Bullant and Jean Goujon, as well as artists such as Bernard Palissy, worked there, creating a set combining luxury and artistic innovation.

Upon the death of Anne de Montmorency in 1567, the castle passed to his heirs and was confiscated by Louis XIII after the execution of Henri II de Montmorency in 1632. It became the property of the Condé, which modified the park in the 17th century under the direction of Jules Hardouin-Mansart. During the Revolution, the castle was nationalized, transformed into a prison and then a house of education for the daughters of legionnaires. In 1962, it became a national museum dedicated to the Renaissance, home to unique collections such as the tapestries of David and Bethsabée or the enamels of Limoges.

Today, the National Renaissance Museum exhibits more than 30,000 art objects in thirty-two rooms, covering all 16th-century artistic fields: goldsmithy, ceramics, weapons, paintings and sculptures. The castle, classified as a historical monument, dominates the plain of France and offers an exceptional testimony of art and history of the French Renaissance. Its park, restored to its original appearance, completes the visit with panoramic views of the region.

Among the museum's treasures are works by Bernard Palissy, the Ottoman faiences of Čiznik, and copies of the Slaves of Michelangelo, whose originals are at the Louvre. The castle also preserves original interior decorations, such as the twelve painted fireplaces and stained glass windows. Temporary exhibitions, such as On horseback, the equestrian portrait in Renaissance France (2024), regularly enrich the cultural offer.

The Écouen castle remains a living place, used for filming (such as the programme Secrets d'Histoire) and scientific events organized by the Society of Friends of the Museum. Its history, marked by figures such as Montmorency, Henri II or Richelieu, makes it a symbol of French heritage, just 19 km from Paris.

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