Lovers of architecture, history and green spaces are sure to fall in love with Rueil-Malmaison, a town awarded the "Ville fleurie de France" label for its floral displays. Located on the left bank of the Seine, it's a great place for a breath of fresh air at the gates of Paris.
The Château de Malmaison, built in the 17th century, is probably its star attraction! This estate, a listed Historic Monument with richly decorated interiors, was once owned by Joséphine de Beauharnais and Napoleon Bonaparte. It was also the seat of the French government from 1800 to 1802, and Joséphine ended her days there in 1814.
The Bois-Préau park, bought in 1810 by the Empress to extend the Malmaison estate, offers visitors a vast haven of greenery spanning 17 hectares. This hilly, wooded garden, featuring rivers, basins, sculptures and centuries-old trees, has kept its English style. After being closed for more than 25 years, the Château de Bois-Préau reopened in autumn 2022. Now the National Museum of the Châteaux de Malmaison and de Bois-Préau, it now hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions, concerts and cultural events.
The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is also part of Rueil-Malmaison's heritage. Apart from its artistic treasures, such as the pipe organ and the altar's bas-relief gilded bronze, the building houses the tombs of Joséphine and her daughter Hortense de Beauharnais.
Located in the prestigious building of the old town hall, the Museum of Local History, a certified Museum of France (Musée de France), tells the story of the town. It contains objects charting the town's development and increase in influence, a fine collection of figurines of Napoleon's army, and the mummy of a little Egyptian girl.
With its 520 hectares of green space, Rueil-Malmaison offers a choice of places for a walk! Opposite the Impressionists' Island (Île des Impressionistes), you're sure to be charmed by the park named after the same art movement. Nestling on the banks of the Seine, this idyllic place makes use of water and vegetation to pay tribute to the paintings of Monet. You can also explore the old rose garden at the Château de Malmaison (roses were a flower that Joséphine loved), or the Vallon des Gallicourts, a tree-lined space offering a lovely panoramic view. For a more classic option, the banks of the Seine have been an unmissable place for a leisurely stroll since the 19th century.
