The iconic Napoleon Crossing the Alps painting by Jacques-Louis David. Extravagantly gilded décor. A secret staircase from the library to the bedroom. The most diverse botanical garden of its time. These are just a few of the treasures you can encounter on your guided tour of Château de Malmaison and Gardens, the home of Napoleon and Josephine, with AmaWaterways.
Situated just a few miles outside of Paris, Château de Malmaison is among the most impressive royal residences in world history. Decorated in an antique style by renowned French architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, the château is a stunningly preserved exemplar of late-18th century architecture and interior design. Priceless portraits of the royal family, a magnificent Pompeian-style dining room, and a library that replicates the interior of a military tent are just a few examples of the breathtaking décor you will see in your guided tour of Château de Malmaison and Gardens.
A Home Fit for Royalty
Purchased by Josephine in 1799, Château de Malmaison served as the seat of the French government from 1800 to 1802 and the home of Napoleon and Josephine. Josephine purchased the château while Napoleon was away fighting the Egyptian Campaign, and Napoleon was initially furious at Josephine for purchasing such an outrageously expensive house in need of extensive renovations. But his temper waned once he saw the results: indeed, Josephine spent a fortune renovating their home, but in doing so she created one of the most impressive estates the world has ever known.
Begin your exploration of Napoleon and Josephine’s estate by walking through the château's stylized entrance. Built in the shape of a military tent, the entrance opens into the château's breathtaking main hall. Extravagant chandeliers hang above the iconic French checkerboard tiling, surrounded on all sides by ornately decorated walls covered with 18th-century artwork. Each incredibly painted ceiling is a delight to behold, conjuring comparisons to the Sistine Chapel and the Blue Mosque. The gilded furniture, intricately patterned carpets, and brilliant hues of each room challenge visitors to reckon with the immense power and wealth Napoleon and his wife wielded at the beginning of the 19th century.
Beyond the Garden Variety of Roses
Among the extensive renovations, Josephine's passion project was the château garden, "the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe." Housing exotic animals such as kangaroos, zebras, ostriches, and even a seal, the gardens expressed the worldliness and breadth of the French Empire at its height. The garden also contained a heated greenhouse powered by a dozen coal-burning stoves and an orangery large enough to house 300 pineapple plants. Josephine’s prized garden will surely stand out as a highlight of your excursion to Château de Malmaison.
The crowning achievement of the garden, and Josephine's greatest pride, was the rose garden. Boasting over 250 varieties of roses, the rose garden collected "the rarest plants growing on French soil," and unparalleled curation of exotic greenery from all over the world. Today, the rose garden is part of the château's park, alongside the summer pavilion restored to its 1814 condition. The château park, gardens, and the interior of the château itself are all included on your guided tour of Château de Malmaison, the incomparable home of Napoleon and Josephine.
Visit the breathtaking Château de Malmaison and Gardens during your Paris and Normandy river cruise journey - contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve your place on board today!