The château was built in the 16th century on the site of a former medieval fortress for Anne de Montmorency. It was inspired by Italian palaces, bringing together major figures from the era including Jean Bullant, Jean Goujon, Bernard Palissy, and Masseot Abaquesne. As a great art lover, Anne de Montmorency filled it with refined luxury in the form of stained-glass windows, sculptures, panelling, paintings, marbles, goldsmithery, tapestries, pottery, enamel, and ironwork. Two Michelangelo sculptures once decorated the portico of the south wing. Today, they are on display in the Louvre. The interior decorations included in the château echo the museum's 32-room collection of works that either belonged to the building from its origins, or were acquired by the museum. The works are divided into 6 themes: paintings, furniture, wool and silk work, fire arts, sculpture, and metalwork. Visitors can appreciate the goldsmithery, Ottoman ceramics, Limoges enamels, weapons, and famous grand tapestries.