A few kilometres from Paris, an outing awaits that is both bucolic and historic. For the Rendez-vous aux jardins 2026, the Château d’Écouen, which today houses the National Museum of the Renaissance, offers a superb escape for lovers of botany, heritage and a good stroll. Each year, the event spotlights parks and gardens, their creators, their gardeners, their know‑how, and all those little vegetal secrets that aren’t always obvious at first glance. In 2026, it will take place on the weekend of June 5–7.
At the Château d’Écouen, a special program awaits you for this verdant outing! Built starting in 1538 for Anne de Montmorency, a great Renaissance noble close to François I and then Henri II, the Château d’Écouen was conceived as a prestige residence. Its owner, powerful, cultivated and a keen art enthusiast, had renowned artisans and artists of the era work there, including Jean Bullant, Bernard Palissy, Masséot Abaquesne, and Jean Goujon.
Discovering the Château d'Écouen, a Renaissance jewel and national museum
Discover the Château d'Écouen, home to the National Museum of the Renaissance, just 20 kilometers from Paris. Delve into the history of this remarkable site and marvel at its unique collections. [Read more]
The site today preserves a strong Renaissance identity: elegant façades, decorative details, pavements, stained glass, tapestries and exceptional collections that plunge visitors into 16th-century living. It is therefore natural that, since 1977, the château has housed the National Museum of the Renaissance, whose holdings notably include pieces from the Cluny Museum. Among its most spectacular works is the tapestry of David and Bathsheba, striking for its sheer size.
Exploring the grounds of the Château d'Écouen
All weekend long, plants take center stage with hands-on workshops and guided tours of the estate and the museum. You’ll have the chance to see the work of students from “la Classe l’Œuvre.”
The food truck, a regular weekend fixture on the grounds, will offer a tasty break.
Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7
From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the estate
More information on our website: musee-renaissance.fr
Participation terms: No reservation required | Paid admission
Hours: Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 08:00–18:30 | Sunday, June 7, 2026 — 08:00–18:30
Nature-themed workshops
The activities on offer will reveal how nature inspires artistic creation.
From 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and again from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
In the grounds
Free
No reservations required
Tataki-zome
with Judith Vittet
Participants will gather material to create a herbarium that they will print onto fabric using a hammer. This method—arguably noisy but magical—imprints the tannins of the plants onto the fabric.
Cyanotype
with Lucy Winkelmann
After collecting plants in the forest, participants will compose their images by using sunlight to reveal unique blue-toned prints on light-sensitive paper.
Herbarium Embroidery
with Valérie Truong
Participants will be invited to embroider on a fabric pre-printed with plants. Beginners or seasoned enthusiasts, your talents are welcome at this workshop.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 11:00–12:30, 3:00 PM–5:30 PM | Sunday, June 7, 2026 — 11:00–12:30, 3:00 PM–5:30 PM
Around the castle, the estate!
Join one of the park rangers and discover the history of this space, along with the species that make up this green jewel.
Saturday at 3:00 PM
Free
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Nature and Plants
The plant world offers an endless horizon for artistic exploration. Rich in symbolism and myth, it also serves as a source of decorative motifs and raw materials for art objects, furniture, or dyes. Come explore all these dimensions in the museum’s collections.
Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m.
€5 surcharge on top of the admission price
Participation terms: Price: 11 € (museum admission: 6 €, plus 5 € for the guided tour) - No advance booking required | Paid
Schedule: Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM | Sunday, June 7, 2026 — 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From June 6, 2026 to June 7, 2026
Location
Château d'Écouen - musée national de la Renaissance
Rue Jean Bullant
95440 Ecouen
Route planner
Access
Transilien Line H Ecouen-Ezanville station
Official website
musee-renaissance.fr
Discovering the Château d'Écouen, a Renaissance jewel and national museum
