History buffs won't want to miss the Imperial Jubilee in Rueil-Malmaison from September 19 to 25, 2022. Over 7 days, more than 150 events await you, immersing you in the history of France: an exceptional historical re-enactment with more than 800 soldiers in the presence of the Empress's Court, a brass band concert, a ball, shows, a grand imperial parade, a costumed walk and fireworks are all on the program.
Rueil-Malmaison brings Napoleon and Josephine back to life for the famous Imperial Jubilee from September 19 to 25, 2022. For this 4th edition, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the event, an exceptional weekend awaits you, with no fewer than 800 soldiers, 100 horsemen, 100 musicians and 150 events open to all, taking you back to the beginning of the Empire. It'sa chance to relive daily life, both civil and military, and life at the imperial court, with the presentation of numerous tableaux vivants, a grandiose Empire bivouac, parades, brass bands and exhibitions...
Rueil-Malmaison enjoys "Ville Impériale " status alongside Compiègne, Fontainebleau and Saint-Cloud, and 15 other towns whose history was marked by the First and Second Empires. In Rueil-Malmaison, Napoleon and Josephine lived at the Château de Malmaison, then, after the break-up of the imperial couple, the Empress and her daughter Hortense moved to the church of Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul.
Over the weekend of September 24 and 25, the entire town of Rueil-Malmaison will take part in the event. For the occasion, the town will be divided into 3 areas, each hosting a variety of events:
- Espace Austerlitz in the Parc de Bois Préau
Bivouac, imperial quarter, continières, artillery park, military hospital and continuous cavalry and infantry maneuvers await you.
- Espace Bonaparte, downtown
Theater, treasure hunt, treasure hunt, military inn, Egyptian companionship and period trades.
- Espace Joséphine at the Vert-Mont estate and Château de Malmaison
Highlights of the Imperial Jubilee 2022 include:
- The bivouac, a grandiose reconstruction of the Imperial Headquarters
Saturday and Sunday, non-stop from 10am to 6pm
Young and old alike will be fascinated by the grandiose bivouac set up in the Parc de Bois Préau, featuring the Imperial Headquarters. Napoleon, his General Staff, the Imperial Guard and his aides-de-camp - horse hunters, infantry and artillery soldiers, "vivandières" - over 800 re-enactors, will be on view non-stop.
On the program: troop reviews, cavalry exercises, military maneuvers, artillery christenings, cannon firings, daily chores ...You can also get up close to the Emperor's tent and campaign furniture.
- Cérémonie de la distribution des Aigles
Exceptional re-enactment of the army's Oath to the Emperor
Saturday, September 24 at 3pm in the Parc de Bois-Préau
To celebrate the beginning of the Empire, an exceptional re-enactment of the Cérémonie de la distribution des Aigles will take place on Saturday, September 24. A unique tableau vivant with over 800 soldiers pledging their loyalty to the Emperor, in the presence of the Empress's Court.
- Europe's biggest brass band concert and fireworks
Saturday, September 24 at 8.30pm in the Parc de Bois-Préau, followed by fireworks
The 5 brass bands will join forces to play the most beautiful marches of the Empire. -La Garde Impériale de Dijon
- La Fanfare d'Altkirch (Alsace)
- Le Contingent des Vieux Grenadiers (Geneva)
- Les Grenadiers Fribourgeois (Fribourg) - Les Pipes & Drums (Poland)
Trumpets, drums, bugles and many other instruments will be in the spotlight.For 1 hour, enjoy Europe's largest Empire concert, ending with a fireworks display.
- Grande Parade Impériale on the RD913
Exceptional parade with over 2,000 people
Sunday, September 24 at 11:30 a.m. on the RD913
This year's Grande Parade Impériale will attract over 2,000 people, making it the largest historical parade in Europe. For the occasion, the RD913 will be completely closed to accommodate the parade of over 800 soldiers, a hundred horsemen, Napoleon's staff, Josephine's court and 500 musicians.
- Costume parade (with prize-giving ceremony)
Sunday, September 25 at 5pm from Château de Malmaison to Parc de Bois-Préau
This year, you can take part in a costume walk. From the Château de Mal maison to the Parc de Bois-Préau, they'll be parading around in their finest Empire finery, with a chance to win one of the many prizes awarded in the presence of Josephine and her court. Prize-giving ceremony in the Parc de Bois-Préau at 5.30pm.
In the week leading up to the weekend of September 24-25, there will also be daily entertainment. Among the highlights is Hector Obalk's musical and visual stand-up created especially for the occasion.
This week's program:
- Monday September 19 8:30pm
Conference "La constitution de l'An XII : naissance du Premier Empire"
by Jacques-Olivier Boudon
reservation recommended: 01 47 14 54 54
- Tuesday, September 20, 8:30pm
"Ingres, l'œil de Napoléon", Stand-up in music and images by Hector Obalk dedicated to the artist Ingres
Booking essential
- Wednesday September 21 8:30pm
Play " Je n'ai pas passé un jour sans t'aimer " by Compagnie Les Jeux du Hasard With Christophe Charrier (Napoléon), Chloé Froget (Joséphine)
Directed by Chloé Froget and Christophe Charrier Running time: 1h10
Booking essential at Petit Théâtre de Rueil - Centre culturel Athénée
01 41 96 90 60
- Thursday, September 22, 9:00 pm
Inauguration of heritage site lighting
Place du 11 novembre 1918 et Place de l'Église
From 9 pm to midnight.Free access until Sunday evening
- Friday, September 23, 8:30pm
Open-air cinema
"The Duelists", a Ridley Scott film
Running time: 1h30
Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville, Rueil-Malmaison free admission
The Imperial Jubilee 2022 weekend program:
Saturday, September 24, 2022
- 10:30 am: Stunt show Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
- 11am: Tasting of imperial vintages and beef
Place du Marché
- 11:30am: Imperial Jubilee inaugural speech by Patrick OLLIER, Mayor of Rueil-Malmaison Parvis de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
- 12:00 pm :Launch of the Parade and parade of troops to Bois-Préau
Departure from Place du 11 novembre 1918
- 12.45pm :Parade arrives in Bois-Préau, announced by cannon fire. Parc de Bois Préau
- 2:00 pm :Acrobatics show and cavalry maneuvers
Parc de Bois Préau
- 3:00 pm :Re-enactment of the Eagles Award Ceremony Parc de Bois Préau
- 4:00 pm :Stunt show Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
- 5:00 pm: Acrobatics show and cavalry maneuvers
Parc de Bois Préau
Inauguration of the botanical square with Joséphine and her court
Parc de l'Amitié
- 20:30: Concert by the 5 imperial brass bands
More than 500 musicians will perform their best Empire repertoire
Parc de Bois Préau
- 20H00-22H: Empire Ball
Place Jean Jaurès
- 10:00 pm :Fireworks
Parc de Bois Préau
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Conceived and designed by the Mairie de Rueil-Malmaison as an event accessible to the general public, the Imperial Jubilee is also guided by a requirement for intellectual rigor. All events and documents have been drawn up in collaboration with a Scientific Committee of historians and specialists in the period. In short, it's an event rich in surprises and free discoveries, and one you wouldn't want to miss. Click here for the full program.
