Château de Malmaison

About the museum

The Malmaison estate, on the banks of the Seine near Paris, was bought in 1799 by Joséphine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, then First Consul. The couple had the château remodelled and decorated by the architects Percier and Fontaine; for a few years Malmaison became the place where important political decisions were made, before the government moved to the Tuileries.

Joséphine gathered collections of paintings, sculptures and rare plants, and had a large landscaped park and a greenhouse laid out. After their divorce she kept the estate until her death in 1814. Napoleon returned to Malmaison in 1815, just after Waterloo, before leaving for exile. The estate then passed to several owners and was partly subdivided.

At the beginning of the 20th century the patron Daniel Osiris bought the château and gave it to the state in 1904. The museum displays the furniture, paintings and objects of the Consulate and Empire periods. The national museum also manages the neighbouring château of Bois-Préau, which only opens during temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Consulate and Empire salons with original furniture
• Napoleon’s library and council room
• Souvenirs of Joséphine and the Beauharnais family
• Landscaped park of the château
• Osiris Pavilion and carriage pavilion
• Salle des Atours (dressing room), open some Sunday afternoons

Permanent exhibitions

• Salons du château de Malmaison – Consulate and Empire salons and apartments, with furniture, paintings and objects linked to Joséphine and Napoleon.
• Salle des Atours – Room on the third floor devoted to Joséphine’s gowns (atours), open some Sunday afternoons.

Founded

1700

Operated by

Musée national des châteaux de Malmaison et de Bois-Préau (ministère de la Culture)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (at Malmaison château only).

The audio guide is included in the ticket; for free admission it costs €2. Also exempt, with proof: teachers with a Pass Éducation, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits and Friends of Malmaison. At Bois-Préau, rates depend on the current exhibition. No groups are accepted on the first Sunday of the month.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The ground floor of the château, the Osiris pavilion and the carriage pavilion are accessible; the upper floors can only be reached by stairs. One parking space is reserved; vehicles can drop off visitors with reduced mobility in front of the entrance on prior request. A French Sign Language video guide and an audio-described audio guide are available at the ticket desk for €2. A tablet with a virtual tour is lent free of charge at reception. Guided tours in sign language take place regularly.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From the stop, cross the D913: the château is about 300 m away. By car from La Défense: A14, then A86 (toll); from Porte d’Auteuil: A13, exit no. 5 Vaucresson. The site holds the “Accueil Vélo” label.

Amenities & dining

An online shop is available on the museum’s website.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit