An article by Vokya D, added on 04 February 2026 5 min. reading
Ancient myths, exceptional craftsmanship, sensory experiences, and a castle undergoing a full architectural renaissance In 2026, the National Renaissance Museum in Écouen offers much more than just a cultural program. Housed in one of the greatest masterpieces of 16th-century French architecture, the museum invites the public to a vibrant immersion in a rich era, where art engages in dialogue with nature, stories, and emotions.
🏰 A Renaissance castle at the heart of the cultural experience
The 2026 program is fully rooted in its location: the Château d'Écouen, built from 1538 onwards for Anne of Montmorency, close to Francis I and Henry II. A true architectural manifesto, the château bears witness to the major evolutions in taste during the 16th century, between the heritage of the Loire châteaux and classical inspiration, with interventions by figures such as Jean Goujon et Jean Bullant.
This year, the visit takes on an added dimension thanks to the restoration campaign for the courtyard façadesCleaning of the facing stones, consolidation of the structures, highlighting of the dormer windows and chimneys: the public is gradually rediscovering the sculpted richness of the monument. The castle is no longer just a showcase for the collections; it is becoming actor in the cultural program.
🖼️ Highlight: Crown the skythe exhibition that reveals the rooftops of the Renaissance
A major event of the season, the exhibition "Crowning the sky. Ridge tiles and roof decorations of the French Renaissance" highlights a little-known aspect of Renaissance art: the decoration of roofs.
Usually perched far from view, these works in lead or ceramic – vases, mermaids, birds, human or symbolic figures – are presented at eye levelThe exhibition thus reveals the poetry and modernity of these ornaments, which made the roof a true space for artistic expression.
Exhibition which will run from September 18, 2026 to January 11, 2027
🎭 Mythology, ancient heroes and foundational narratives
The 2026 program gives considerable prominence to the great narratives of Antiquity, reinterpreted during the Renaissance:
- Ovid's Metamorphoses inspire sculptures, tapestries and ceramics
- Mythological figures such as Diana, Actaeon, Orpheus, Daphne, Ulysses or Achilles
- The tale "Eros and Psyche", presented in the form of a sensitive narrative at the heart of the collections
Through these journeys, the museum shows how 16th-century artists drew on ancient texts to nourish their imagination and express passions, dramas, and transformations.
To be discovered in the program
👩 Women in the Renaissance: Intersecting Perspectives on a Complex Society
Another strong theme explores the The place of women in the RenaissancePowerful women, poets, craftswomen, nuns or mothers: the visits invite us to go beyond preconceived ideas and understand the diversity of female roles in a society more nuanced than we often imagine.
Every Saturday and Sunday from March 7th to 15th at 14:15 pm and 16:00 pm
€5 extra entry fee
On reservation at 01 34 38 38 52
🌿 Art & nature: plants as a source of inspiration
Nature occupies a central place in the collections and programming:
- Plant motifs in decorations and art objects
- Raw materials sourced from the natural world
- Mythological and legendary symbolism of plants
Through visits and workshops, the museum highlights the close link between art, know-how and environment to the Renaissance. To be discovered in June 2026!
👂 A Renaissance to be experienced with all the senses
The museum also offers a more immersive approach:
- Sensory visitswhere sight becomes secondary to touch, smell, or hearing
- Introduction to court dance, like the pavane
- Practical workshops: Egg painting, engraving, stencilstechniques inspired by ancient artistic practices
- Tales and stories that bring mythological characters to life
This programming transforms the museum into a place of experience, where one does not simply look, but where one feels the Renaissance.
👨👩👧 A museum designed for families and passing on knowledge
Throughout the year, young audiences are at the heart of the offerings:
- Workshops during school holidays
- Game trails and discovery booklets
- Festive and fun events
The goal: to convey the keys to understanding the Renaissance in an accessible and interactive way.
🎉 A living space beyond the museum galleries
The castle grounds also become a space for socializing and events:
- Participation in major national events (Night of Museums, Rendez-vous aux jardins, European Heritage Days)
- Open-air cinema in summer
- A food truck is present during the summer months.
- Hosting sporting events such as an archery competition, linked to a themed tour in the museum
The museum thus establishes itself as a cultural player rooted in its territoryopen to diverse audiences.
The 2026 program
Consult the 2026 program of the National Renaissance Museum online:
📌 Practical information
Location
National Renaissance Museum - Château d'Écouen
Écouen 95440 – Val-d'Oise (Île-de-France)
Schedule
Open every day except Tuesday, December 25th and January 1st
Morning: 9:30 am – 12:45 pm
Afternoon: 14:00 PM – 17:15 PM
Until 17:45 pm from April 16th to September 30th
Prices
Full price and reduced price (reduction applied due to restoration work)
Free admission on the first Sunday of the month and for certain audiences
Access
By train from Paris (line H) then bus or walk through the forest
Free parking on site
