As part of the Journées du Patrimoine 2025, we're invited to discover the museum and gardens of the Domaine départemental de Sceaux . For an entire weekend, on September 20 and 21, 2025, the estate will be opening its doors to the public free of charge, to enable us to discover the treasures hidden in this historic monument.
Between the museum, home to true masterpieces, and the Parc de Sceaux, designed in the 17th century by Le Nôtre, you'll have plenty of wonderful experiences. These gardens are jewels of French garden design. Two main axes run through it, from east to west: the allée d'honneur, the parterre du château and the terrasse des Pintades, and from north to south: the cascade and the Bassin de l'Octogone.
While the park has preserved structures dating back to the 17th century, such as the Grand Canal, the Pavillon de l'Aurore and the Bassin de l'Octogone, Colbert's château, demolished around 1803, was replaced by a neo-Louis XIII-style château, built between 1856 and 1862 by architect Le Soufaché. Parterres de broderies (embroidered flowerbeds) with wild, landscaped or even forested atmospheres.
Musée départemental, former stables
Free, self-guided visit to the "Rebel Princess" exhibition
Dedicated to Marie-Caroline of Bourbon-Siciles, Duchess of Berry, a leading historical figure, this exhibition offers an unprecedented glimpse into the life of the woman who was effectively a French Marie Stuart. Eighteen years after the pioneering show Entre Cour et Jardin. Marie-Caroline, Duchess of Berry, it centers on “moving tableaux” — symbolic waypoints in the myth of the Duchess of Berry. A gathering of paintings, engravings, furniture and works of art reveals how her path and the legend around her were formed; how she leveraged her image to defy conventions and forge her own destiny, in an era when the fate of women of her rank was mapped by others.
Eligibility requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:30–18:30 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:30–18:30
Pavillon de l'Aurore
Free, self-guided tour of the Dawn Pavilion
Discover the timeless elegance of the Domaine de Sceaux, its park and departmental museum!
The pavilion’s dome houses a grand allegorical painting on the theme of the Dawn, created by Charles Le Brun in 1672.
During your visit, explore the Château’s collections that evoke the site’s history and the art of living in the French style—from Louis XIV to Napoleon III: paintings, sculptures, furniture, drawings, prints, manuscripts, books and ceramics...
Educators will be on hand in the rooms to answer all your questions!
Participation conditions: The Dawn Pavilion is a small building limited to 19 people, staff included. It is not accessible to people with reduced mobility or to strollers. It has no toilets. - Free | No booking required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:30 to 18:30 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:30 to 18:30
Departmental Museum
Free, self-guided tour of the Château de Sceaux
Experience the timeless elegance of the Domaine de Sceaux, the departmental park and museum.
The château houses a collection that evokes the site's history and the art of French living, from Louis XIV to Napoleon III: paintings, sculptures, furniture, drawings, prints, manuscripts, books and ceramics...
Take the opportunity to explore the Pavillon de l'Aurore, home to a vast allegorical painting by Charles Le Brun dating from 1672.
In the rooms, guides will present the museum's masterpieces and answer all your questions!
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, 19 September 2026 — 10:30 to 18:30 | Sunday, 20 September 2026 — 10:30 to 18:30
Pavillon de préfiguration du musée du Grand Siècle
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
A great way to spend this special weekend in the Hauts-de-Seine! Shall we go, friends?
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Château de Sceaux
92330 Sceaux
Prices
Free
Official website
domaine-de-sceaux.hauts-de-seine.fr
