The Château de Malmaison is a country house and former residence of Joséphine de Beauharnais.

She bought the manor house in April 1797 for herself and her husband, General Napoléon Bonaparte, the future Napoleon I of France, at that time when he was away fighting the Egyptian Campaign. Malmaison was a run-down estate, seven miles (12 km) west of central Paris that encompassed nearly 150 acres of woods and meadows.

Upon his return, Bonaparte expressed fury at Joséphine for purchasing such an expensive house with the money she had expected him to bring back from the Egyptian campaign. The house, for which she had paid well over 300,000 francs, needed extensive renovations, and she spent a fortune, transforming the large estate into one of the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe. She actively sought out flora and fauna along with rare and exotic animals from around the world.

The property achieved enduring fame for its rose garden.

Birds and animals of all sorts began to enrich her garden, where they were allowed to roam free among the grounds. At the height of her days at Malmaison, Joséphine had the company of kangaroos, emus, black swans, zebras, sheep, gazelles, ostriches, chamois, a seal, antelopes and llamas to name a few.

After her divorce from Napoléon, Joséphine received Malmaison in her own right, along with a pension of 5 million francs a year, and remained there until her death in 1814. Napoléon returned and took residence in the house after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo (1815), before his exile to the island of Saint Helena.

*Source Wikipedia


Open

Malmaison Museum is open daily except Tuesday

Closed December 25 and January 1.

October 1 to March 31

Weekdays from 10:00 to 12:30 and at 17:15 de13h30

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 12:30 and at 17:45 de13h30.

April 1 to September 30

Weekdays from 10:00 to 12:30 and at 17:45 de13h30

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 12:30 and at 18:15 de13h30

Free for all on the 1st Sunday of the month


Getting there

By RER line A stop "Grande Arche de la Defense then bus 258 stop at" The Castle ". Crossing the RN13 and return to the crossroads. The castle is located right at 300m.

By road, RN 13 (12 km from Paris)

Free parking, avenue du Chateau de Malmaison.


The tourist train running from Rueil from April to end of September (except Tuesday) is free, and gives you the opportunity to explore the sights of Rueil, including the Malmaison Castle, and the church where the tombs of Empress Josephine and Queen Hortense are laid.


The place of departure is November 11, 1918, near the church, every hour and fifteen minutes from 10:00.

More information on www.chateau-malmaison.fr

Château de Malmaison

Day trip from Paris

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