Beauty and Sadness: The Private Home of Napoleon and Joséphine Bonaparte
The moving history of Josephine's beloved Malmaison, with personal insights from the memoir of her daughter, Hortense de Beauharnais, a first-hand account of this beautiful place and the historical people who moved through it. (link below)
Napoleon's wife, Empress Josephine, was one of the foremost gardeners responsible for many new plant varieties to France, and she is (for me) the original grand dame of today's antique roses.
There's so much history here--It's historian/gardener's dream! We'll explore how so much of Napoleon and Josephine's private and political life took place in this beautiful place.
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Malmaison photo credits
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
tomb : Pierre Cartellier, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/... , via Wikimedia Commons
chapel: Moonik, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/... via Wikimedia Commons
family with alexander picryl.com/media/josephine-ac...
coronation pictures Jettcom, CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/... via Wikimedia Commons
music room picryl.com/media/the-music-sa...
reception jenikirbyhistory.getarchive.n...
foyer Pierre Poschadel, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/... via Wikimedia Commons
rose1 Rawpixel, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
rose2 Rawpixel, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/... , via Wikimedia Commons
rose3 Henry Joseph Redouté, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
king louis of holland Charles Howard Hodges, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/... , via Wikimedia Commons
Hortense and son picryl.com/media/hortense-de-...
I visited la Malmaison about thee years ago, and like you, absolutely loved it! Being French and having read tons and tons about Napoleon and Josephine, I was well informed ahead of time of many details. Being alone for the visit I had the hostess guide to myself, and could discuss may aspects with her, a total treat! At the time the garden was unkempt and there were no roses to be seen even though it was summer, so you were luckier than I was! Thanks for uploading the video, which gave me so much pleasure once more!
It's one of the places we're very sentimental about, so glad you enjoyed it! And what a treat to have a guided tour!
I visited there in April, 1973, at age 20, as part of an organized tour of Paris. It was my first time in Europe and my first ever airplane ride (from Boston). Naturally, it made a great impression upon me. The house was in good repair and the gardens, while not yet in bloom, were well tended to my young eyes.
What a great place to see on a first visit! Such a special place.😊
@scottcolella5053 wow. 51 years ago. Were you there the weeknof easter? It must have been a joy to see.
😮
I went there some ten years ago. It was the first week of January. The temperature was 7 below zero, and sunny. An unforgettable place. I understood several things thanks to having read the novel Desiree. I took a bus from La Defense in Paris. The bus driver was incredibly kind and showed us to way to get to the palace from the bus stop.
I think we had the same bus driver 😉 I had to sneak up front and tell him I didn't know our stop, and he kindly told me when we got there and how to find the chateau down the hill. He saved our day.
This book is one of my favourites and absolutly worth reading! Historically quite authentic and entertaining as well as exciting. Author: Annemarie Selinko.
Thanks! I'll look for it, I'm constantly reading historical bios 😎
I read Desiree when I was 17 and knew that when I visited Paris I would have to visit Malmaison. 3:51
@@angelaroberson4805 that book is on my reading list now 🙂
Loved Malmaison when I visited - a highlight of my trip to Paris,
It's such a lovely place! We're going back in April and I may do a Part 2 🤓
So beautiful and such interesting history, I can see why you'd want to visit more than once! ❤️ you're a great story teller, thanks for another great video!
Aw thank you! We're especially sentimental about this beautiful and historic place 🥰
For me your story brought Josephine and Na😊poleon to life as ordinary human being who had a caring relationship no matter what their outside public life was. Thank you ❤
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it!
I love the Malmaison! I went several times in my teens, but sadly did not have a chance to go back, the last time I was in Paris. I won't be making the same mistake next time!
We missed going back on our second trip together, so we're putting it at the top of the list for our April trip. I'll do a Part 2 with some real video footage this time 😀
When I visited many years ago it was even less well known and in one room when they took off the sink hangings they found painted panels behind them.
Oh wow, how cool! Love finding things like that, under the surface. 😊
I love Malmaison and have visited it twice. I too was surprised that hardly anyone in Paris had heard of it. The house is beautiful, but the rose gardens are run down and very neglected. I love your series. Thank you for doing it.
Thanks so much! I agree, as a rosarian, I admit the rose garden wasn't as maintained as I'd expected when we visited. Hopefully it's improved since then 🙂
Yes! I was there in 2008, a truly beautiful place!
Truly inspiring to see 🥹
Thanks for your video, I’ve wanted to visit Malmaison for a long time, ever since I got into antique roses about 30 years ago. I didn’t know about Hortense’s book so that’s a good bit of info. The gardens/chateau look gorgeous and that there ay be labels on many of the roses. My first antique roses is still my favorite, Souvenir de Malmaison.
I loved that the roses are labeled too 😀, and I have SdlM (the climbing version) as well, such an exquisite rose when it blooms! 🌹
I visited in 2016 and loved it. Your video allowed me to see the beautiful gardens on a lovely day. I visited when there was a torrential downpour... I walked in the gardens anyway and took pictures of the stunning but bedraggled roses. I hope to return in late May some day to see the roses in full bloom on a blue sky day. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! We did get a perfect day!
Great video! I have never heard of this place and found it so fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! It's an amazing piece of history, for anyone who loves Napoleon and Josephine, or roses! Worth a stop 😊
Splendid to enjoy your personal visit video, thank you fellow rosarian! I have grown many of the old historic once flowering roses in my gardens of the last 30 years and was seeking today news of Malmaison. I never visited as it was reported to be in a poor state and not worth the journey years ago. But I'm so glad to see it now. To bring the old garden back to as it was would take a major 5 year effort. Maybe this too will eventually be seen?!
I loved walking around the gardens. We were there in 2019, and it was so fun to see many of the antique varieties we grow here in the northwest US. Definitely go see it if you get a chance! 🌹
Beautiful.....! Clear and sytematic....!
Thank you! 🙏
Thank you! Delightful!
You're welcome, so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Yes your posted video was excellent!
Thank you so much! 😊
I lived in Rueil Malmaison for 3 years & had no idea.
Something new to go see 😀😀
Malmaison is glorious as is the rose. I was there in 1969 while studying in Paris. Good to see it again. If you like Antique roses do you like the ones bred by David Austin. Had great luck with these at the house here in Philadelphia.
Thank you! I love Austin roses too! I grow about 10 of them here, they're amazing. 🌹
Very Touching !
Thank you!
Yes, I have visited Malmaison, a bucket list stop. I felt it was the creative laboratory for the imprerial (Empire)style that Josephine and Napoleon established in their time. It is such a liveable place in scale and style, not at all grand or pretentious compared to other villas and palaces I have visited. It was my favourite!
That's how we felt too, like THIS feels like a home, more than any of the others.
This was so lovely.
Thank you so much- it's quite a place. ✨️
This was lovely. I really enjoyed the photography, and your voice is easy to listen to. Thank you :)
Thank you so much! What a lovely thing to say 🙏☺️
Nice cohesive story telling. Well researched. Approprite images during MOS. Love it! Los Angeles
Thank you so much! Looking forward to going back to film intentionally this year 😀
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CLEAR AND CONCISE TUTORIAL, VERY INFORMATIVE!
You're very welcome 🙏
I've been once to Malmaison in March 1963 when I was 14 years old with a guide who showed me around the chateau. But we didn't walk around the garden. But I remember enjoying the trip.
A guided trip here would be really nice! We're looking forward to returning in April 2024 to see it more intentionally for filming. 😃
I visited Malmaison many years ago in the late 1990s it was not anything alike in this wonderful video. It was not that beautiful restored states, with the gardens in total shambles. It was extremely odd because you still felt some sort of presence of Joséphine. We are planning a 6 weeks vacations in France starting in last week of June 2024 until first week of August 2024. We are a gay couple and Malmaison is in our must see places. My husband is Russian from St-Petersburgh and I am from Montreal, Canada. Our gardens is what I should say Pomah's past times, he loves roses he collected them from whaterver places he can find. During our winter he may spend hours in the green house looking at different ones he may plant in our own gardens. So going to Malmaison the next summer will be for him an absolute dream come to life.
That will be a wonderful trip! It should be beautiful in summer! Safe travels ✨️
If you come to France this summer, don't hesitate to go to the Saint-Denis's Cathedral.It' s very easy with the subway.Where the kings and queens of France were buried.Since the 6th century!
That's been on our bucket list every time and somehow we always miss it 😐 Hopefully someday though, what a place to see! ✨️
@@laurentdevrillac3301 I indeed visited the Cathedrale St-Denis before, Pomah did not so we will go there obviously
😀
I'd been to France.many times both on business and pleasure. Like you said, Malmaison is not mentioned as a landmark to visit. I will certainty visit the next time I am in Paris. Thank you.
It's a very moving place, to us. Definitely go see it! 🙂
I really want to visit this chateau 🎉❤
We love it so much! Definitely add it as a side trip from Paris if at all possible. 😀
Wonderful history
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it 😊
YES ! Thank you very much !!
You're very welcome 😀
I appreciate videos of possible holiday destinations I might choose to visit one day, often a video is the turning point to solidify a holiday. This is an awesome place full of history.
This is definitely a great stop to add 😀
I've been to Paris, but didn't know about this lovely historical place. Thank you for sharing, and I am the wiser.
It's so beautiful and evocative, definitely add it for your next visit 😀
I did know about Malmaison, but I have never visited it , seeing your exceptional video I do regret that . I will try and find Queen Hortense memoirs as it sounds very interesting , thank you et bonsoir de la Charente Maritme .
Ooh lala la Charente is one of our wish list places to visit! I added a link to Hortense's memoire in the description. Merci et bonne journée !
@@MilesAwaywithUs Thank you , and yes the Charente Maritime is a beautiful département .
🙏🇫🇷
i made it to th front gate c 1998 . it was closed. then i visitd her lovely tomb at th sts p&p chapel
We'll look for her tomb on our next visit for sure 🙂
❤❤❤ what a spectacular presentation an rich history
Oh my goodness, thank you! What a sweet comment to wake up to. 😃🙏
Thé book ,A Rose for Virtue, by Norah Lofts, is a wonderful fictional account of Hortense , Joséphine, and Malmaison.
Ooh thanks! I'll add it to my list! 😀
Ooh thanks, I'll add that one to my list 😊
Thank you! I really enjoyed this video and subscribed to your channel 🤗
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed Malmaison 😀
Beautifu; and lovely decor. The garden must be charming.
It's all SO beautiful! Highly recommend this gorgeous place, especially if you love roses!
Really interesting
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
I just discovered your Chanel - enjoyed your tour and history of Mal Madison ,, looking forward to other informative tours … thank you
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful big house! Rudi.
So beautiful! We definitely would sign up if they ever need a caretaker! 😀
Thank you for your commentary - it is wonderful! Did you know that the rare animals that Josephine collected came from Australia? The early French explorers to Australia brought back kangaroos, emus, and other animals for Josephine. But, importantly, I am interested to know what French laws existed at the time to allow women to purchase property? Especially without their spouses' permission. I intend visiting Malmaison for the first time in April this year.
Ah that IS interesting. I love that she had so many animals here. Let us know if you find out how she purchased it. 😀
What ! Those two locals that didn’t know La Malmaison were incults ! We all know in France what L Malmaison is ! It’s part of our culture !
Oh I'm so glad! One was about 24 years old, and the other was a retired Parisienne... we were definitely surprised when they both looked blank. 😐
Would you consider doing a video based on the roses in her garden? Thank you.
Absolutely! That was my initial interest in Malmaison, because I grow about 100 antique and rare roses, many of which are in her garden 🌹 We'll be there in mid April this year, so a little too early for the peak bloom maybe, but I may break that visit into a history video AND a rose gardener video. 😎
You are right ! There is no chance of me being in France and not taking the time to visit Malmaison............
🙌 history nerds unITE 😁
Wow time pass by so fast, as if they never existed
It's an amazing place to visit for sure. 😀
The French know how to value their history and their heritage, no matter how dark or bright, unlike some Americans (present days liberals and regressionists) who insist on changing history.
I agree! 👍👍
I went to see the furniture
It's all so beautiful! We can't wait to go back and intentionally video there this year with a good camera! 😎
This property must have been restored since I was there about 30 years or more ago. It was so disappointing. We went into a vast entrance hall and with a small group were given a lecture. The floor was black and white marble with no seating. After half an hour we sat on this cold floor listening in French which we couldn’t understand. After another age we left and went outside to warm up and see the roses. The gardens were totally overgrown and we found no roses. Eventual we sat beside a small pond and watched a white swan attacking a duck to death. This was the worst place we saw during our stay in Paris. I’m not surprised Parisians hadn’t heard of it. A wasted train trip and a wasted day.
Oh that is terrible! Yes, it's well worth a trip now, we loved it so much, we plan go go back in April this year 😊
Little bit too much talk about the roses…..🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
🌹🌹🌹 😀
The video freezes and doesn't play onward, it gets stuck on an image and your voice continues, that's it. Very disappointing.
Sorry to hear that. No one else has had trouble with it... ?
….Think your pronunciation may have been the cause of locals not understanding “where” you were going 😂. (It’s not “MAL -MAYZONE” - but, “Mol- Mayzaw” )
🙏😀 thanks, they understood the name, and so did the bus driver. ( I don't go as intense into better French pronounciation in my videos as I do when I'm visiting and speaking to locals. I guess I should, though... 😉😂😂)
Os ditadores são todos iguais. Só gostam das grandezas. São egoístas
True ✨️
@@MilesAwaywithUs True