In the heights of the village of Écouen, in Val-d'Oise, 20 kilometres north of Paris, this elegant château overlooking the Plaine de France stands in the heart of a vast state-owned forest. This former residence was built for Constable Anne de Montmorency, a wealthy minister of Francis I, and his son Henry II, and is one of the finest buildings in Val-d'Oise.
Built in the 16th century on the former site of a medieval fortress, which served to protect the capital, the château later housed a military prison, a hospital and then the House of the Legion of Honour. In 1977, it became the home of the National Museum of the Renaissance, which has since been exhibiting one of the most extensive Renaissance decorative arts collections in France. The main attraction of the site is therefore its sumptuous collections, representing all the artistic fields in vogue from the 15th to 17th centuries: sculptures, paintings, stained glass, tapestries, ceramics, goldsmiths' and silversmiths' pieces, furniture, painted leathers, enamels, weapons and more.
The wide variety of the works on display, produced by several generations of artists from different movements, is sure to enchant art lovers. Inspired by biblical stories and Antique culture, the exhibits illustrate the humanist movement that swept across Europe during the Renaissance. One of the most important pieces is the exceptional 75-metre-long wall hanging of the Story of David and Bathsheba. The decorated, painted fireplaces, evoking stories from the Old Testament, appear alongside wood panelling, stained glass windows and earthenware tiles.
The château, built by renowned artists such as the architect Jean Bullant, is surrounded by a vast park of 19 hectares, designed in the 17th century by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. When the museum opened, the exterior was landscaped to restore the estate's original appearance. At the far end of the park are the Hortense fountain and its basin. These vestiges of the past will guide you to the beautiful paths of the immense forest of Écouen, where the great hunts used to take place. This vast wooded area covers 104 hectares and promises some lovely walks.
Guided tours, classical music concerts, exhibitions and open-air film screenings bring the château to life all year round.
