The story of this place
Joséphine de Beauharnais bought Malmaison in 1799 while Napoleon was campaigning in Egypt, and it became the couple's intimate retreat and, briefly, a seat of government during the Consulate. Joséphine transformed the grounds into one of Europe's most celebrated gardens, importing exotic plants and assembling a rose collection painted by Pierre-Joseph Redouté. After Napoleon divorced her in 1809 for failing to bear an heir, she retired here in melancholy splendour and died at Malmaison on 29 May 1814, days after charming the visiting Tsar Alexander I. The house preserves her furniture and Napoleon's, a poignant time capsule of the Empire's private face.