Trésors et coulisses du Château: an exhibition of secret works at the Domaine départemental de Sceaux

The Château de Sceaux, a departmental museum, was built between 1856 and 1862 for the Duke and Duchess of Treviso, in place of Colbert's château. This new exhibition, on view from September 19, 2025 to March 22, 2026, retraces the heritage adventure of the Domaine départemental de Sceaux since the opening of the Musée de l'Île-de-France in 1937, and delves into the treasures of the collection, from the earliest acquisitions to the most recent.

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Nearly 150 long-secret works and objects are on display, including some rare pieces kept in reserve for their fragility, such as Carmontelle's transparent Quatre Saisons, a 42-meter-long drawing, a 19th-century coconut fountain, porcelain from the Manufacture de Sceaux, and a selection of books and textiles. Works from major donations, collaborations with the Musée Carnavalet and other events have enriched the collections.

This tour takes visitors behind the scenes of the museum, covering the management of collections, the expertise required to ensure their preservation, documentation and transmission. It's a fun way to explore the key steps involved in safeguarding this heritage, from inventory to restoration, a real tribute to these behind-the-scenes professions.