We are interested in traveling to see Chateau de Malmaison from our hotel in the Opera district. How is the best, safest way to do that? Those of you that have visited this chateau that was Empress Josephine's home until her death, would you say that it was worth the trip?

Also could you make suggestions for places to eat good French (not too pricey) food near the Opera house?

Thanks, Margo

Goumard, rue Duphot, specializes in seafood; reasonable prices (for Paris).

Hi M,

>...would you say that it was worth the trip?

For the third visit to Paris, Yes.

See www.ratp.fr for routes by RER/bus or bus only.

IIRC, there is a bus stop at the driveway leading to the chateau.

Enjoy your visit.

Here is the link to the official website and it gives you instructions on how to get there (RER A to La Défense and then bus 258 to the stop Le Château).

http://www.musees-nationaux-napoleon...24833_u1l2.htm

It is worth a visit if you have the time. It's full of Josephine's possessions and some of Napoléons as well. It is almost never crowded and the few times I've been I'm often in many of the rooms by myself. I would also recommend making the 15 minute walk from the château to the old downtown which is full of 18th century buildings as this was once a royal/imperial town and it is also quite lively with many stores, shops, restos, cafés etc. Here is the link to the local tourist office office and it is full of information about what to see and do in town.

http://www.rueil-tourisme.com/EN/

Is this your first visit to Paris? If so, then I would stay in Paris. You'll need about half a day to get to Reuil where she lived and back plus see the house.

If you're interested in period houses I preferred the Jacque-Andre or the Nissim de Camondo to Malmaison.

I had a heck of a time finding the bus depot at La Defense (took RER A to La Defense and bus 258). The bus stops at the end of the drive to the house. You can also take RER A to Reuil-Malmaison and bus 2A or 2B to the chateau. I would say the later is the best way.

You need a separate ticket to go beyond Paris - buy your tickets from the ticket machines in the RER station. You'll need them to exit the RER.

Hi.

Well, if you're going to be in Paris on either Saturday, May 14 or Saturday, June 11, there is a Paris Walks tour of Malmaison. I took it one year and enjoyed it. It's not one of their regular walks, but is scheduled periodically. You still have to find the Bus 258 stop at La Defense, because that's where you meet the guide!

Sandy
Their main website: http://www.paris-walks.com/