Château de Bois-Préau, French cultural heritage château in Rueil-Malmaison, France
Château de Bois-Préau is a grand mansion in Rueil-Malmaison surrounded by curved paths, gentle slopes, and ornamental ponds across its landscape. The property covers approximately 17 hectares of English garden design with carefully arranged plantings and water features.
The château was built between 1697 and 1700 by Frédéric Léonard and became part of Empress Josephine's estate in 1810 to expand her Malmaison property. This acquisition connected two important family residences into a single domain.
The château houses a national museum dedicated to Napoleon's exile on Saint Helena, displaying artifacts and documents from that period. Visitors can explore this chapter of history through the objects and records on display.
The park is open daily except Tuesdays, with extended hours from May to September, while the château building undergoes renovation work. Plan time to explore the gardens, especially during warmer months when the full grounds are most accessible and pleasant to walk through.
A restored replica of Empress Josephine from 1865 by sculptor Gabriel Vital Dubray stands in the park, while the original is kept in museum storage for preservation. This arrangement lets visitors see the statue in its intended setting while protecting the authentic piece from outdoor weathering.
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