does anybody has any advice or feedback about visiting Malmaison? I have always had an interest in Empress Josephine. Is it worth going to? I love history, gardens, and architecture. Also what is the best way to get there? I will be going to Paris for the 4th time next June and I'm looking at some sites outside of central Paris.
Certainly worth to visit, I did it in June last year, but was more focused about Napoleon. There is also enough about Joséphine, to my opinion anyway an interesting place. Her tomb is in the nearby church of Saint Pierre Saint Paul in Rueil-Malmaison.
There is a RER station about 2 km from the museum and also a busconnection (best option for you I guess) with La Défence. For those with a car, there is a free car park nearby the museum.
Bus No. 258 from La Defense will take you to the Chateau stop in about 15 minutes. Then there is a short walk up a pretty tree-lined road up to the Chateau. The times I have been there it has never been crowded ... maybe less than a dozen people in the building. It is an interesting small chateau, well worth the visit. There used to be a pretty good restaurant right where the bus lets you off but I don't know if it still exists.
thank you both. I'm going to plan to go. To catch the bus, is the bus stop by the La Defense Metro stop? Or by the monument?
Josephine's rose garden was being restored when I was there a few years ago and there wasn't much to see. Would love it if you would report back as to how the rose garden is doing now. The house was worth seeing and I'm glad I saw the garden too but I was hoping to see a flourishing rose garden. June should be the perfect time to visit.
You have go into the mall at La Defense and then follow the signage for the buses. Each numbered bus has its own dedicated well marked departure spot. There is a kiosk in the mall where you can buy the extra bus ticket which people always say you must have, but last time the agent said it wasn't necessary when we asked.
The Malmaison website also indicates that there is a "train" from Place de l'Europe near the Rueil-Malmaison RER station (A1 line) that goes on the hour and drops you by Chateau Malmaison. It operates during the warm weather months and gives a phone number to call for information. By "train", I assume its one of those cute little tractors dolled up to look like a steam engine pulling a bunch of open carts with seats. Malmaison is included in the Museum Pass.
Sorry but personally I prefer to see those “cute little tractors” in attraction or amusement parks where they fit well. I have seen them also near the Chartres Cathedral, not directly a sign of good taste and respect for the historical character and value of the place. I´m not so worried about some isolated cases but more the tendency that everything has to be sweetened and romantized and places are just used for the benefit of entertainment and commerce. Ofcourse for people who are not so mobile there can be provided appropriate modes of transportation and it don´t have all to look so serious, but not that grown-ups are moved around like little children and nobody seems to care.
Sam, good to know it's included in the museum pass.