Museum
Although the name Malmaison dates back to the 13th century, the château which bears this name today dates from the 17th century for the main body and the 18th century for the two wings on the courtyard. Acquired in 1799 by Josephine Bonaparte, it was the residence of the First Consul and his wife and became the seat of French government, along with the Tuileries, from 1800 to 1802. After her divorce from the Emperor, Josephine withdrew to Malmaison and acquired, in 1810, the neighbouring château of Bois-Préau. The two residences, transformed into a museum in 1906 for the first, and in 1958 for the second, are dedicated to Napoleonic history.
Useful information
Musée du château de Malmaison
Avenue du Château de Malmaison
92500 Rueil-Malmaison
Musée du château de Bois-Préau
Château de Bois-Préau
1, avenue de l’Impératrice Joséphine
92500 Rueil-Malmaison
Switchboard
Tel: +33(0)1 41 29 05 55
Fax: +33(0)1 41 29 05 56
Reservations for groups and guided tours
Tel: +33(0)1 41 29 05 57
Online
Visit the Château de Malmaison website: www.chateau-malmaison.fr
Visit the Château de Bois-Préau website: www.chateau-boispreau.fr
Access
By car: RN 13, 12km from Paris
RER: A, La Défense - Grande Arche, then bus 258, get off at “Le Château”
Distance between the two museums: 10mins on foot
Opening times
The Château de Malmaison Museum is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays:
from 1st October to 31st March, from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.15pm during the week, from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.45pm at weekends;
from 1st April to 30th September, from 10am to 5.45pm on the week, from 10am to 6pm at weekends.
Closed: Tuesdays.
The Château de Bois-Préau Museum is closed for works.
Admission
Full rate: €5
Reduced rate: €3.50
Supplement for temporary exhibitions
Group admission: €77 (€99 for temporary exhibition(s))
Permanent collections free everyday for visitors aged under 26, and every first Sunday of the month for everyone.
Services
Reception for disabled visitors on the ground floor only
Guided tours in French, English, German and Italian
Free car park
Bookstore-shop
Find out more about the bookstore-shop
