museum of the renaissance

Like most tourist attractions they are easily accessible to the locals --- but to overseas tourists -without a car - it's a VERY different story! Just ask my feet.TripAdvisors continue to inform prospective visitors that from the ( tired little town ) of Ecouen - Ezanville they may enjoy a lovely walk through the forest to the Chateau. This means that they have never walked it. I did!The 'lovely walk' commences with a quite steepish gradient, which connects to a path that gradually rises over the next almost 300 yards (or meters if you like.) It then turns to the right and becomes very steep on a washed away track up to a Chateau gate. This continues up to a road leading to the building that is also by no means flat. In fact almost every step of this stroll is up hill. This track is not for folks with 'walking difficulties!' Remember that Chateaus are built on hill-tops. On the return journey one must be very careful on the steepish section - one could really have a nasty fall. Take the 629 bus. I looked for a taxi - but never saw one.The exterior of the chateau is no Vaux-le-Vicomte of Chambord. But it does contain the collected, beautiful, historical treasures from its own and other failed chateaus. Think of it in terms of: - if all Italy's, including Florence's, renaissance treasures were collected into one Palazzo; well this is France's. And knowing the French love of grandeur, you can imagine what it contains. And it does. Check it out on Google image.However, most of the exhibits are not as spectacular as in Chateau Chantilly or Compiegne. Simply because they come from 2 - 300 years previous. But each is an irreplaceable object informing us of the life style and artistic endeavor of people very much like us.Again, if you find stairs difficult - you will certainly 'be challenged' here. There are no lifts,many long staircases and a couple of very tight spiral stairwells.Drop into the Cafe. Order a glass of white wine. Mine was served in a large red wine glass - right to the brim. Good stuff.Am I glad to have visited this Treasure House? You had better believe it!!!Brian from Perth Australia.,

This is close to Roissy and an interesting daytrip from downtown Paris. Not quite as amazing as Chantilly, which is located in the same area, further to the North, but nonetheless well worth seeing. The castle hosts a series of collections, all interesting.

If you would like to see some of the most exquisite artifacts from the renaissance you must visit this museum. It contains a magnificent set of tapestries; an incredible mechanical gold clock built like a ship with drummers, courtiers and cannons; an inlaid gold drawers bench, portraits of Catherine de Medici engraved in wax; and a curiosity cabinet with incredible gold chalices. It is an easy 20 minute walk from the train station to the castle which was built by Anne Morency who was the constable of France. Don't be confused by the map in the bus stop in front of the station. Bear right past a great boulanger and pastry shop and you will see a sign pointing to the chateau. The museum closes from 12-45 till 2 for lunch but it has a delightful little restaurant where you can while away the time. Suburban trains leave from the Gare de Nord every 20 minutes and it is only a twenty minute ride to Ecouen.

About one hour from Paris by train and bus, to go to Ecouen is a nice excursion for those, who want to visit a charming small French town. The museum is in an old chateau, and with full of rare renaissance pieces of art - sometimes a bit too much of porcelain or ceramics, but sometimes with really beautiful artifacts.

A lovely museum dating back to the time of Francis I and Henry II. There is quite a bit of artwork to see, including a large collection of Ottoman plates, of all things! A great way to spend an afternoon.

The name says it all, it's a castle from the Renaissance that houses the museum of the Renaissance. It has a superb collection of "tentures" covering the walls in two rooms. You can also see a collection of stained glass, pottery, sculpture, etc. Including some of the original floors so you can get an idea of how a castle from the Renaissance would have actually looked like with all the elements of the period. Very interesting, less crowded than other museums in Paris and reasonably priced (5 euros) if you have an afternoon to spare, why not visit this castle/museum? Getting there is easy from Paris: go to Paris Nord and take a regional train (Line H) and get off at the gare d'Écouen - Ézanville. From there you can either take the bus 269 and get off at Mairie-église (5 min) or walk through the forest to the castle from the station (about 20 min) you will see a sign on your right side when exiting the gare.

Right near CDG airport, this museum is gem that I wish I had discovered earlier. The huge 16thC mansion houses a superb collection of Renaissance treasures that you can enjoy in peace without the throngs of visitors you encounter at the museums in the heart of Paris. There are 3 floors of displays with descriptions in English on the cards provided in each room. Which were our favorites? We couldn't decide. Was it the mansion itself, the tapestries, furnishings, paintings, stained glass, weapons and armor, jewelry, gold and silver pieces, ceramics, floor tiles, sculptures, on and on. We met the loveliest lady, Marie, who made our visit so special by answering all our questions and assisting our friend who needed a wheelchair. She also brought to our attention things we never would have noticed without her help. There is a very nice gift shop as you exit with helpful staff there as well. It's probably not the most interesting museum for young children, but if you would like to learn about the architecture and decorative arts of the Renaissance, this is the museum for you.

This beautiful large chateau near the town of Ecouen houses an absolutely superb collection of Renaissance artefacts , paintings , weapons , furniture pottery etc but there is no-one visiting . Ok it was a wet Wednesday afternoon that we were there but it seemed as if we were the only people visiting . we were on a hike and so had maps but I would say it wasn't very well signed ; but maybe if you arrive by car it is better . However it really isn't far from the station and there is a reliable frequent service from Gare du Nord in Paris which takes 20-25 minutes . The staff were not overly helpful but you can get a leaflet in English giving an overview. None of the labels is in English . However at 5 Euros it is a snip . Would definitely recommend

musée de la renaissancetrain: porte de la chapelle - chateau decouen Paris, écouen /val doiseThe museum is inside a castle in a very bucolic region. We took a train in paris and is not very far. The stop is Porte da la Chapelle. Than we walked in the forrest for about 20 minutes. . In the museum there are many paintings,carpets, metal art, fire art, very interesting collections.

I recommand this castle, only 22 minutes by train from Paris-Nord station (the closiest countryside of Paris). This castle houses a magnificent collection of XV-XVI th centuries, as important as the Louvre Museum'one. From Ecouen-Ezanville Station to the castle, you can take the bus 269 and stop at "Mairie d'Ecouen". If you prefer to take a breath, you can walk by the forest' paths (15 minutes walking). Sure you will enjoy Ecouen caste and Museum if you like Art and History.

I have lived in the Paris region for 17 years and have only now discovered this wonderful 16th century château and Museum of the Renaissance. Better late than never! What a find. It is not very well known and certainly seems to be off the tourist grid.The exterior of the château is really impressive. We arrived about noon and did not know that they close at 12h45 and reopen at 14h00, so we decided to walk into the town to get some lunch. There didn’t seem be anything except some fast food type pizza or kebab places, which was disappointing, but maybe we didn’t walk far enough, so we reluctantly headed back to the museum café, Delyan. I ordered the quiche and salad and received the smallest slice of quiche I have ever received in a restaurant and literally only a hand full of salad. At 13 Euros, it was so expensive for what it was. Service was lackluster to top it off. Their outdoor terrace was closed (“due to wind the day before”?!) so we had to sit inside where it was quite warm and there was not much air. However, once we returned to the museum when they reopened things improved. The price is low compared to other châteaux and museums, only 4.50 Euros for adults. You can pay a bit extra for guided tours but there are printed cards in every room in several languages detailing everything if you choose not to do that. The inner courtyard is really nice although they were doing some restoration works when we visited. The history of the château is quite interesting. It was completed in 1555 for the Constable, Anne de Montmorency (apparently a common male name back in the day) and his wife Madeleine de Savoie. He owned 130(!) châteaux and was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in France at the time. Napoleon saved the châteaux after the Revolution and turned it into a school for the daughters of members of the Légion d'Honneur in 1806.The varied items in the museum, which includes arms and armor, furniture, gold and silver work, pottery, paintings, stained glass and tapestries, are all very interesting and very nicely displayed. The highlights for me were the enormous Belgian tapestries woven in 1515 that tell the story of David and Bathsheba, which cover three large rooms, and another emblematic piece - a silver, gold and coral statue of Daphné – simply exquisite. Photos are allowed inside the château without flash. There is a small gift shop when you enter the château (you exit by the same door) with some nice books and postcards.The gardens are small and rather dull, certainly not as interesting as other châteaux but it is still worth it to walk in the gardens to have back and side views of the château and for the views of the town of Ecouen and surrounding countryside (a must for photographers). There are also nice walks to take in the surrounding forest.

I visit Paris regularly and friends often ask me about places to go off the beaten tourist track that are near the city. Myriad destinations appeal to me, but Ecouen is one of my favorites. It is easily and quickly reached by SNCF train (about 25 minutes from Gare du Nord). But few people seem to make the trip. The walk from the train station to the chateau takes about 20 minutes and involves a lovely stroll (a slight incline in places) through a dense forest. The noise from planes making their appoach to CDG Airport, however, distracts a bit from the tranquil natural setting.The rear of a beautiful French Renaissance chateau looms in a clearing at the top of a hill just beyond the forest. Built from 1538 onwards, the chateau provided lodging for Anne de Montmorency, High Constable of France and chief minister under both Francis I and Henri II.After many owners, the chateau became the Musee national de la Renaissance in 1977 and displays Renaissance art that formerly was kept at the Musee de Cluny in Paris.The massive, well-maintained building begs to be explored and further rewards with exhibition rooms on three floors. A small admission fee allows access, and a free Renaissance organ recital is held twice on Saturday afternoons in the chapel. The organist explains the instrument in French and plays selected pieces to show the organ's versatility. When I attended, only five others sat in the audience.Restored in the 1970s, the chateau's decor includes elegant painted mantelpieces and painted and guilded paneling. An estimated 3,000 pieces on display include arms and armor; gold and silver work; wood sculpture; ceramics; Iznik pottery; furnished rooms, such as bedchambers and a great hall; and a library. One of the collection's masterpieces is a series of tapestries, woven in Brussels, that tell the story of David and Bathsheba.The chateau grounds include a terrace that overlooks Ecouen and the countryside beyond. A small cafe in the chateau by the terrace offers food and drinks as well as inside and outside dining.www.musee-renaissance.fr

Le chateau est vraiment très beau, les objets exposés sont toujours intéressants et mis en valeur. Le tarif est vraiment abordable, 5 euros pour les adultes et gratuit pour les enfants

Замой Экуан был построен коннетаблем Анном де Монморанси в 1538 году. Сегодня тут размещается Национальный музей Ренессанса. Три этажа мебели, керамики, ковров, гобеленов, посуды, витражей, скульптур и прочего и прочего. Сохранились уникальные камины! Советую ехать туда на целый день, особенно в хорошую погоду. При замке есть парк, где можно погулять, устроить пикник на лавочке (шашлыки жарить нельзя, разумеется).Стоимость билета просто смешная для такого музея - 5 евро.Внутри есть кафе-ресторан.Добраться удобнее всего c Вокзала Гяр дю Норд на RER H (направление Persan-Beaumont / Luzarches par Monsoult) остановка d'Écouen-Ézanville
. Затем автобусом 269, (направление Garges-Sarcelles) до остановки Mairie/Église
. Остановка в 5 метрах от туристического офиса и входа на территорию замка.

Un jour de novembre, dans le brouillard émerge le chateau aux lignes épurées, bien restauré. Unw vraie magie! L'intérieur contient quelques belles pièces, dont l'extraordinaire tapisserie de David et Bethsabėe ou la salle aux orfèvres avec de véritables bijoux finement travaillés. Sinon, quelques décors plus appuyés auraient été bienvenus...