Château d'Écouen, Renaissance château and national museum in Écouen, France.
The rectangular château features two three-story residential wings connected by an entrance wing, surrounding a central courtyard with monumental stairways.
Anne de Montmorency commissioned the construction of this château between 1539 and 1555, replacing a medieval castle on the same location.
The National Museum of Renaissance displays extensive collections of tapestries, ceramics, furniture, and decorative arts from the 16th century French and European periods.
Located 20 kilometers north of Paris, the museum opens daily except Tuesdays from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM, with extended hours until 5:45 PM from April to September.
The château contains original painted fireplaces and ceramic floor tiles created by Masséot Abaquesne, displaying Renaissance craftsmanship techniques.
Location: Écouen
Inception: 1540s
Founders: Anne de Montmorency
Architects: Jean Bullant, Jean Goujon
Official opening: 1977
Architectural style: Renaissance
Address: Rue Jean Bullant 95440
Website: https://musee-renaissance.fr
GPS coordinates: 49.01750,2.37833
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:38
The Versailles region and its surroundings feature a notable collection of historic sites, museums, and landscaped areas that showcase centuries of French history. Beyond the famous chateau, visitors can explore sites like the Queen's Hameau in the Versailles park, a rustic retreat of Marie Antoinette, or the Château de Malmaison, which preserves furnishings and decor from the First Empire. The Napoléon III Apartments at the Louvre demonstrate the splendor of the Second Empire, while the Domaine de Marly-le-Roi reflects the grandeur of Louis XIV's reign. Local museums host diverse collections, from Rodin's sculptures displayed in his former private residence to Maurice Denis's symbolist works at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Priory. The Gustave Moreau Museum holds over 1,300 paintings and 5,000 drawings in the artist's former home. Gardens are also a major draw: Sceaux Park stretches over a mile with 17th-century geometric pathways, while Albert Kahn Gardens offer a journey through Japanese, French, and English landscape styles. These sites allow visitors to explore French cultural history through architecture, decorative arts, and garden art.
The castles near Paris display French history through their architecture, gardens and interiors. These buildings served as residences for kings, emperors and nobles. Each castle presents a distinct period, from medieval fortresses to Renaissance palaces. The collections include furniture, artworks and historical artifacts.
The Ile-de-France region includes castles, museums and gardens outside Paris. These locations display regional history through medieval fortresses, art galleries, botanical gardens and manor houses. The structures represent architectural styles from the 12th to 20th century.
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