Heritage Days 2024: Journey with Napoleon at the Château de Malmaison and Bois-Préau

For the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, we're off to the Hauts-de-Seine, to the Château de Malmaison and Bois-Préau, for an exceptional weekend in the Empire. Step back in time on September 21 and 22.

The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are one of the most eagerly awaited cultural events of the year, particularly in Paris and the Île-de-France region, where there are so many wonderful discoveries to be made! The weekend-long program includes guided tours, workshops and exceptional outings to museums, châteaux and monuments rarely open to the general public.

Young and old alike can marvel - often free of charge - at the many open houses. More than 1,500 sites are taking part in the Journées du Patrimoine: that's a lot of discoveries! If you're in the Hauts-de-Seine region, you're bound to find something to keep you busy on September 21 and 22, 2024.

Head for the town of Rueil-Malmaison, home to one of France's most important monuments. Built in the 17th century, Château de Malmaison was acquired in 1799 by Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte, who had it completely refurbished. Much appreciated by the First Consul, between 1800 and 1802 the residence became, along with the Tuileries Palace in Paris, one of France's governmental buildings. Today, the Château de Malmaison is one of France's finest examples of the consular style, where visitors can discover the more intimate atmosphere of Josephine's apartments, her collections of paintings, and the empress's passion for botany in the landscaped grounds.

Journées du Patrimoine 2024: discover the most beautiful châteaux in Paris and the Île-de-France region
The Journées du Patrimoine 2024 is also an opportunity to visit the châteaux of the Île-de-France region, often free of charge! Kings and queens, princes, emperors, nobles of all kinds... Follow in the footsteps of these great figures of French history and discover their magnificent homes, on September 21 and 22, 2024. [Read more]

The 2024 Heritage Days program at the Château de Malmaison :

A trip to St. Helena with Napoleon
September 21 and 22
To mark the European Heritage Days, the Château de Malmaison is teaming up with the Cercle d'échecs de Rueil-Malmaison to offer young and old alike the chance to learn the rudiments of this game so beloved of the Emperor. Take a trip with Napoleon to St. Helena, and discover what he was up to in
that faraway land of exile. Enjoy a weekend of chess, tangrams and dominoes, just like the Emperor.

There will be free chess lessons in the courtyard of the carriage house, as well as introductions to other games Napoleon loved, such as tangrams and dominoes.

In the main courtyard, from 2pm to 6pm, a grand simultaneous chess match will be held, pitting a grandmaster against 20 courageous competitors.

A visit not to be missed if you love history and castles!