In the 10th century, the Normans, who plundered settlements and towns along the Seine, brought their booty here. Hence the name: La Malmaison – the bad house.
In the XVII century a small castle was built here, which was bought in 1799 by Napoleon’s wife Josephine Beauharnais. Bonaparte hires architects to remodel the interior of the palace, from which, between his military campaigns, the First Consul rules the state.
After becoming empress, Josephine continues to decorate the palace, and after her divorce from the emperor she moves in permanently. She gives away her daughter, Hortense, to Napoleon’s brother Louis, and their son becomes Emperor Napoleon III. Josephine continues to receive here high-ranking guests, organize receptions.
Near the chateau is a small romantic park, where invited guests and, in particular, in 1814, Russian Tsar Alexander I accompanied by the hostess and (or) her daughter strolled.
Josephine’s son, Eugene Beauharnais, sells the chateau, which Napoleon III buys in the second half of the XIX century. He does a lot to restore the former luxury of the “imperial nest”.
Now the castle is a state museum, preserving a number of impressive interiors and personal belongings of the emperor and his family.
Those who are interested in the Napoleonic era and the fate of Napoleon will be fascinated by this chateau and will be able to take a fresh look at the historical characters and mores of the post-revolutionary period and imperial rule.
