Château de Malmaison, Paris

Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant retreat.

A long, horizontal shot of the Chateau de Malmaison's classicist facade with a gray roof and white shutters, surrounded by a green lawn in France.

Overview

Château de Malmaison, Paris Cruise Port

The Château de Malmaison is an elegant country house located in Rueil-Malmaison, just west of Paris, France. While smaller and less ostentatious than many other French châteaux, Malmaison holds immense historical significance as the beloved private residence of Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, and later shared with her husband, Napoleon Bonaparte, during the Consulate period and early years of the First French Empire. It served as their intimate family home and a center of political and artistic life, providing a unique glimpse into their personal lives and the Empire style that Joséphine helped popularize. Today, it operates as a national museum, preserving their legacy.

While Château de Malmaison is an inland site and not a direct cruise port, it is a highly recommended and accessible pre or post-cruise land extension for passengers embarking or disembarking Seine River cruises (often with an embarkation/disembarkation point nearby, like Bougival or within Paris itself) or ocean cruises from ports like Le Havre or Honfleur. Its proximity to Paris makes it an ideal half-day or full-day excursion from the capital. A visit to Château de Malmaison offers cruise passengers a fascinating and personal journey into the world of Napoleon and Joséphine, exploring a less formal but equally captivating imperial residence.

Top Things to Do in Château de Malmaison, Paris

Explore the Empress Joséphine's Apartments

Wander through the exquisitely preserved private apartments of Empress Joséphine. Admire the elegant Empire-style furnishings, delicate fabrics, and personal effects that reflect her refined taste and life at Malmaison.

Tip: Pay special attention to her bedroom, which offers a very intimate glimpse into her daily life.

Discover Napoleon's Working & Private Spaces

Visit Napoleon's study, library, and private chambers within the château. These rooms provide insight into his life during the Consulate, where he conducted affairs of state away from the formalities of the Tuileries Palace.

Tip: Look for personal touches and strategic details that reflect his character and intellect.

Stroll Through the Rose Garden

Immerse yourself in the beautiful rose garden, a passion project of Empress Joséphine. She collected an astonishing number of rose varieties from around the world, making it one of the most significant rose collections of its time.

Tip: The best time to visit the rose garden is late spring to early summer (May-June) when the roses are in full bloom.

Visit the Carrousel (Round Drawing Room)

Step into the magnificent Carrousel (Salon Rond), a large circular drawing room designed to resemble a military tent. This unique architectural feature reflects Napoleon's military background and his desire for a grand yet less formal entertaining space.

Tip: Imagine the grand receptions and balls that took place here during the Empire period.

Explore the Château's Exterior and Grounds

Take a leisurely walk around the château's elegant exterior and its surrounding parkland. The park, designed in the English style, offers a peaceful retreat and a sense of the rural tranquility that Joséphine sought here.

Tip: The grounds are ideal for a relaxing stroll, and offer charming views of the château from different angles.

See the Coach House and Greenhouse Remains

Discover the smaller auxiliary buildings on the estate, including the former coach house, which now houses a collection of Napoleonic era carriages and vehicles, and the remnants of Joséphine's famous greenhouses, where she cultivated rare plants.

Tip: These provide additional context to the lifestyle and interests of Napoleon and Joséphine at Malmaison.

Overview