Seine River Cruise: Napoleon's Chateau de Malmaison

We arrived in Le Pecq early on a Monday morning.  I only remember it was Monday because national museums are closed in France on Mondays unless you're on a Viking cruise, then they open it up just for the cruise guests.


The Empress Josephine bought the Chateau in 1799 for herself and Napoleon.  The Chateau was in need of massive renovation and repairs and Napoleon wasn't too happy with her when he returned from the Egyptian campaign.  He was furious she had spent so much money on the estate.  She had expected him to bring loads of money back with him from Egypt.


After extensive repairs the Chateau brought much happiness to the Bonaparte's.




Napoleon's bedroom.  People were undoubtedly much shorter back then.  I think an emperor deserves a king sized bed.


Lots of amazing artwork.


Josephine's room.  Although it was not done at the time, upper class people had their own bedrooms.  Napoleon and Josephine had quite a romance and it's said they shared her room.








Napoleon and Josephine had to divorce because they could not produce an heir.  The house was awarded to Josephine and she lived there until her death in 1814.  Napoleon returned to lived there after his defeat at Waterloo and before he was exiled.


The house was vacant for many years and was vandalized and ransacked.  In 1842 it was purchased by the widow of King Ferdinand VII of Spain.  In 1861 it was purchased by Napoleon III who was Josephine's grandson through her daughter Hortense.


After a few other owners it was eventually donated to the state in 1903.



After the divorce Napoleon eventually married Marie-Louise and they had a son in 1811.  The Bonaparte descendants now include a Wall Street banker, the founder of the FBI, and an actor on Star Trek


Irv got scolded for touching the wallpaper in one of the rooms.  They were watching like hawks and take preservation very seriously.


Not only was the house beautiful, but the gardens were amazing too.  It's been a tradition to keep black swans there.


I had to take a picture through the fence, understandable, but they would have made a great painting.


The ice house in the garden.


Then it was time to get back on the bus and head to the Palace of Versailles.  It's near the end of our trip so we're a little exhausted.  (Sorry, Irv.  Now we'll see if you really read my blog.)




Comments

polcat24 said…
That's just rude taking pic of me while i'm sleeping!!! It's payback time!! :)
September 24, 2024 at 9:52 AM
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
Another great site. This doesn't seem to be inundated with people.
September 25, 2024 at 9:38 AM
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