Château d'Écouen

Écouen

Overlooking the Plaine de France 20 km north of Paris, the château d'Écouen is one of the most accomplished achievements of the French Renaissance. An earlier feudal castle belonged to the Bouchard de Montmorency family; in 1538, freshly appointed Constable of France by Francis I, Anne de Montmorency had it razed to build, in seventeen years of work lasting until 1555, the vast residence seen today. Craftsmen from the neighbouring building site of Fontainebleau worked here: the architect Jean Bullant, the ceramicist Bernard Palissy, the sculptor Jean Goujon, as well as the painters Léonard Limosin and Rosso Fiorentino, who covered the château in sumptuous floor tiles, stained glass, marbles and frescoes. Having become Henry II's favourite country retreat, the estate remained in the family until 1632, then passed to the Condés in 1696; in 1787 the latter demolished the east wing, possibly destroying frescoes by Nicolò dell'Abbate. On 15 December 1805, Napoleon I established there a school for the daughters of members of the Légion d'honneur, opened in 1807 and maintained until 1962. In 1962 the château was assigned to the future Musée national de la Renaissance, which opened its doors in 1977 after restoration, taking in among other things former collections of the Musée de Cluny: 16th-century furniture, tapestries, weapons and decorative arts are presented there today.

Getting there : Écouen (Val-d'Oise), 20 km north of Paris; Écouen-Ézanville station, then shuttle bus or a walk of about 20 minutes; Musée national de la Renaissance, admission charge, closed on Tuesdays.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound