Musée national des Châteaux de Malmaison et Bois-Préau

The Château de Malmaison: the home of Joséphine Bonaparte.

Built in the 17th century, the Château de Malmaison was bought in 1799 by Joséphine and Napoléon Bonaparte, who had it completely redeveloped by the young architects, Percier and Fontaine. Greatly enjoyed by the First Consul, between 1800 and 1802, it became one of France’s seats of government, along with the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Today, the Château de Malmaison is one of the rare examples of the ‘consular’ style that has been preserved in France and is fascinating for the authentic character which it still retains. Here, the visitor can also discover the very intimate atmosphere of Joséphine’s apartments, her collections of paintings and in the landscaped gardens, the empress’s passion for plants.