Métro Porte de la Chapelle, then bus 268C. A beautiful 16thC country retreat built for Anne de Montmorency, Château d’Ecouen now acts as a marvellous showcase for the Musée National de la Renaissance (www.musee-renaissance.fr). Original features such as the great fireplaces and painted ceilings are complemented by stunning collections of period furnishings, tapestries, School of Fontainebleau paintings, carvings, silverware and objets d’art.