Château d'Écouen, Renaissance Museum: Opening Hours, Tickets and Access from Paris

Updated on October 8, 2026

The Château d'Écouen, about 20 km north of Paris, houses the Musée national de la Renaissance. Built from 1538 by Anne de Montmorency, it shows collections that came largely from the Musée de Cluny: tapestries, ceramics, enamels, stained glass and goldsmiths' work. A ticket costs about €8, the site is quiet and the trip from Gare du Nord takes about 25 minutes. The museum is open every day except Tuesday, with a break at midday.

Highlights

A Renaissance château

Anne de Montmorency had the medieval castle pulled down in 1538 to build this residence, completed around 1555 with the best French and foreign craftsmen of the time. Under Napoleon the château housed a Legion of Honour school, from 1805 to 1962.

The façades and courtyards

The carved dormer windows and tall chimneys of the south façade set the tone of the architecture. Restoration work on the courtyard façades is under way, which may limit vehicle access.

Goldsmiths' work, enamels and ceramics

The rooms bring together goldsmiths' work, ceramics, textiles and enamels, including those by Léonard Limosin. The chapel, with its painted 16th-century vaults, is the first room of the museum.

The David and Bathsheba tapestry

This monumental tapestry, 75 m long and 4.5 m high, is one of the museum's masterpieces.

Practical info

Tips

Compared with the Château de Chantilly, which is larger and more expensive (€21 for a day ticket with park and stables), Écouen is smaller: allow half a day and about €8 (full price; the museum's site currently shows €6). Both are closed on Tuesday and both are reached from Gare du Nord. The museum closes from 12:45 to 14:00, so do not leave too late. Entry is free for under-26s and on the first Sunday of the month. The collections complement those of the Musée de Cluny. Prices checked in October 2026.

How to get there

Allée du château, 95440 Écouen. Line H train from Paris Gare du Nord (suburban station, platform 30 or 31), towards Persan-Beaumont or Luzarches via Monsoult, about 25 minutes, to Écouen-Ézanville. Then bus 269 towards Garges-Sarcelles (5 minutes, Mairie/Église stop) or a 20-minute walk through the forest. By car, it is about 19 km from Paris via the A1; the museum advises against using GPS.