chateau de malmaison

We visited whilst staying in Versailles and l can't stress enough to catch the bus from the bus station and don't even attempt going on the metro! The bus takes about 35 minutes, drops you at the bottom of the road and you can use your metro ticket.The house is absolutely amazing. Because all the original furniture and personal items are still there it almost feels like the house is still lived in. They have done an amazing job of creating a museum without losing the homely feel and although there are cabinets and barriers, they are unobtrusive. We were given an audioguide when we arrived which was very interesting and l learned a lot during our visit. Before we went l was expecting a grand château but the fact that it was just a beautiful family home made it way more fascinating to me and l can fully understand why Josephine fell in love with it on sight.

The base designed and made by Napoleon and Josephine, well worth a visit to the house and gardens. The house has been refurbished in the style of when it as the centre of the French Empire great pieces on show.

Post revolutionary France and how it's leaders lived there lives from Napoleon I to Napoleon III is not always well understood. A visit to Malmaison helps build perspective. By no means a grand palace, this relatively "simple" chateau is a beautiful and well worthwhile place for a visit. You can feel the presence of both Napoleon and Josephine..enjoy!

You can still get a feel for the type of person Napoleon was whilst strolling through the park and Chateau. The castle has changed little with time, and plaudits should go to his wife, for the extensive works conducted at Malmaison . Some of the furniture came from other chateaux belonging to Napoleon with the library maintained in its original state. Its a lovely half day out, easily reached by RER and then the #144 bus made worthwhile by the scarcity of tourists by the hordes and the absolute beauty curated throughout the rooms and gardens. The audio guide adds immeasurable content and depth to this wonderful trip through time

excellent place to visit with lush fixtures and realistically laid out rooms to show how they lived and the most incredible thing was seeing where they slept sitting up!! allow 1 hour or more for the visit but be aware it closes at 12.30 for one hour for lunch so go in the early morning or afternoon.

Spend a half day outside of Paris at this lovely Chateau and it's surroundings. I took the the RER to the Rueil-Malmaison stop, then easily found the #144 bus and took that to Mairie de Rueil, in the heart of the small city. Nice area to stroll around to see their town hall and church. A short walk thru the Bois-Préau, a big park that ends at the chateau. The staff at the chateau were so helpful and friendly. Do get the audio guide, worth the couple of euro.The chateau itself is well kept and has been restored with an eye to attention and detail. I really enjoyed seeing Josephine's rooms and the beautiful furniture. At least when I was there, in November. there were very few guests, which is a shame and yet it was nice to enjoy it in peace. Afterwards, you can go stroll around the expansive gardens.

So fascinated are we by tales of the exploits of Napoleon and Josephine we walk from the RER (signage sparse) grab a baguette on way and discover the charming little chateau. Well past the June 3 week peak season we study the rose garden carefully, ancient varieties, stroll the grounds and tour the house virtually alone on a warm October's afternoon. So much work has been done to preserve and conserve this fascinating narrative. A Lebanese Cedar 'they' planted; I tuck 3 smooth chestnuts into my pocket. So peaceful and beautiful. I wonder where the exotic animals were kept?

Nice to see this beautiful castle and garden. It was impressive how well preserved they had managed to bring back the decor, furniture and belongings of the emperor and empress...

I would not go out of my way to see this place if my time were limited. But if one has the inclination to go, take the Metro to La Defense Grande Arch, and look for the 258 bus. Get off at Le Chateau. The whole area is Malmaison. When you ask people how to get there, mention that you want to go to the Chateau.When we got there, the house was closed for lunch. They reopened at 1:30 pm. While waiting, we walked around the gardens. The gardens are sprawling, but I thought that the landscaping could be improved. For example, there was an empty pond right in the middle of the grounds.The house gives you a peek into the lives of Napoleon and Josephine. She was always a gracious host, making sure that the favorite dishes of guests was prepared. There are portraits of both Josephine and Napoleon which are quite famous. The originals are here. The portrait of Napoleon crossing the Alps is here. He liked the portrait so much that he ordered 4 more copies with small differences. The one in Malmaison is the original,There are any signs in English. It is better to get an audio guide to get more information.

A more intimate and less touristy site, giving you a more personal view of life with Napoleon and Josephine.Be prepared to walk a bit; and check opening times before you come. Parking is available.

We took a bus from Paris to a stop near Malmaison and had a short walk to the chateau. We walked around the rooms trying to envision Josephine there. Napoleon was a frequent guest and we saw the senate chamber he had there and read about a "secret" staircase from the meeting room to her bedroom. We read that when they were together she slept in the sumptuous room but choose a smaller room when he was not with her. There are fabulous portraits of Napoleon, Josephine, her children and others. Visiting the house and gardens was very interesting and we liked our bus ride that took us through neighborhoods we would not otherwise have seen.

We were able to go in for free on the 21st as there was an open day for the public. The whole area was lovely inside and out.

Our private driver whizzed us from Paris's left bank to this glorious first empire Chateau. Unfortunately. the second floor was being renovated, but this in no way spoilt our wonderful experience. Forget Versailles and the grander chateaux...because this very private retreat of Joséphine and Napoleon is one of the most intimate stately homes you will ever visit in France. The gardens are stunning - designed by the Empress herself who adored roses - and the interiors reflect her impeccable elegance and taste. It was easy to imagine Napoleon returning here for peace and romantic reunions with his beloved Joséphine in the early days of their affair. Definitely a place to visit but make sure you do so between May and September when the gardens are at their most magnificent. Even in early September, the scent of roses and delphiniums lingered in the early morning sunshine. As my friend so rightly said, we were walking in the steps of Joséphine and vividly sensed felt her elegant presence wherever we went. Malmaison is easily visited in 2 hours but you must allow for the odd opening hours - 10.12.30 and 2-5. That said, the little village of Reuil is rich in cafés and churches (the empress is buried in the beautiful local church of Saint-Pierre-Saint Paul)

Malmaison is located about 7 kil. west of Paris so that it is a nice day trip from the city. I have long wanted to visit because I had read about the fame of Josephine's rose garden and my husband and I were lucky to be driven there by our French friends. In Josephine's day the grounds were extensive and the gardens, particularly the roses were known all over Europe and attracted botanists and flower lovers. It was a great compliment to receive a cutting from one of Josephine's roses.As you tour the chateau, which has been restored to resemble as much as possible the way is was when the Buonapartes lived there, you come away with a strong impression of the personality, intelligence and talents of the empress. She had exquisite taste, in clothes, jewelry, decor and music. You should note the furniture with Egyptian decorative motifs (because of Napoleon's Egyptian campaign which started a fashion), and I was fascinated by the Sevres china made especially for Josephine with Egyptian scenes and writing. Very special and unique. After our tour we walked through the gardens. The fall beds were beautiful with asters and dahlias but the roses, which were antique and dated to the early 1800's, only bloom in June. In Sept there were a few hardy blooms but nothing like the roses must be in June. Today, Josephine would have been a botanist. She not only had over 200 varieties of roses, she engaged plant hunters who brought and introduced to France over 100 new plants and flowers. So I recommend visiting in June if you can.Josephine died in 1814 of what was probably strep throat. Napoleon had divorced her in 1809 because she could not give him an heir but she continue to live at Malmaison. We were told he had stopped at Malmaison in 1815 just before he went into exile. I think Napoleon never stopped loving Josephine for she was a lovely and remarkable woman.

Visited the chateaux where Napoleon and Josephine resided while there were married. It was a self guided tour with hand sets. We walked through the chateaux at our leisure.