A mythological tale and a nighttime tour of Château d'Écouen for Museum Night 2026

Museum Night returns this Saturday, May 23, 2026, and in the Paris region there will be a host of exceptional evening events. The Château d'Écouen, home to the Museum of the Renaissance, invites us to discover a nocturnal program specifically crafted for the occasion!

The Nuit des Musées is an opportunity for participating institutions to offer the public a fresh look at their collections. Some offer guided tours with storytelling, others dances, others activities for children...

Château d'Écouen, a Renaissance gem in the Val d'Oise region of France, invites you to take a trip back in time and discover the splendor of an era when art and culture flourished under the aegis of great patrons. Situated some thirty kilometers north of Paris, this historic monument, built between 1538 and 1550 by architect Jean Bullant for Anne de Montmorency, the great Constable of France, stands majestically on a hilltop with a breathtaking view over the French plain.

Today, Château d'Écouen is home to the prestigious Musée national de la Renaissance, with its priceless collection of works and objets d'art from the 15th to 17th centuries. As you walk through its doors, you're immediately transported into a world where every room, every object, tells a story - the story of a time when beauty and refinement were a veritable quest.

The château's facade, an architectural masterpiece, reflects the elegance and innovation of the French Renaissance, with its detailed carvings, mullioned windows and slender roofs. Inside, visitors are greeted by a rich and varied collection: Flemish tapestries, precious glassware, period furniture, Italian ceramics and even works of art that testify to the openness to the world and curiosity of the men of that era.

Château d'Écouen is more than just architecture and collections. It is also a place of life, having played host to key historical figures and been the scene of events that have shaped its history. It's also a starting point for exploring the cultural riches of Val-d'Oise, a region that has preserved its heritage while embracing modernity.

If you’re feeling the pull to dive into the history and art of the Renaissance, a visit to the Château d'Écouen is a must. Whether you want to admire its collections, stroll through its gardens, or simply take in its architectural beauty, the château offers a one-of-a-kind experience. So no hesitation: this Saturday, May 23, 2026, for the Nuit des Musées, we’re headed to the Val d’Oise to discover this monument!

The Night of Museums 2026 program at the Château d'Écouen :

Museum visit
As night falls, meet the gods and uncover their thwarted love stories, whether among deities or mortals. Ancient myths will no longer hold any secrets for you.

You might even encounter Psyche and Eros around a corner, thanks to storyteller Nathalie Leone from the Hutte Galante company.

Take advantage of the evening to discover our food truck!

We’re on site Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 30, and on those days we’ll stay open until closing time.
Participation terms: Free | No registration required
Hours : Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Psyche at the Castle
In the Renaissance, myths from Antiquity inspired artists and celebrated the patrons who funded them.

Anne de Montmorency is no exception. He commissioned works for his château centered on the tale of Psyche. But how did he use this love story to rise within the court?

For one evening, let us guide you through these stories hidden in the iconography of our collections.

With Thierry Crepin-Leblond, the museum's director

At 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Timings : Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Immortals and mortals
Tragedy and metamorphosis breathed life into the Renaissance’s most precious tableware. Come discover the loves of the gods of Antiquity, including Orpheus, Psyche, and Daphne.

With Aurélie Gerbier and Julie Rohou, heritage curators

At 7:30 PM and 9:15 PM
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM, 9:15 PM to 10:00 PM
Eros and Psyche
Once upon a time there was Psyche, a princess so beautiful she drew Aphrodite’s devoted followers away. The goddess, seeing her temples fall quiet, declared war on her. To accomplish this, she sent her son Eros with a poisoned arrow. But not everything went as planned…

The myth of Eros and Psyche tells of a young woman’s quest through love and loss, the invisible and the visible.

In this stage adaptation, the storyteller’s voice becomes an inner journey, punctuated by appearances, shadows and luminous breaths.

The museum is a partner in the creation of this tale, which echoes both the iconography of its collections and the château’s setting.

at 8 p.m.

Nathalie Leone

Compagnie de la Hutte galante

For reservations at 01 34 38 38 50
Participation terms: Free | Booking required - 01 34 38 38 50
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The fiercest rivals, Psyche and Venus
Stroll through the museum and encounter Psyche and Venus, two figures celebrated for their beauty and renowned as fierce rivals in mythology! Tapestries and paintings celebrate this rivalry.

With Matteo Gianeselli, Heritage Conservator

At 8:30 PM and 9:45 PM
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM, 9:45 PM to 10:15 PM