Rueil-Malmaison is a town in the suburbs of Paris. It's about 13 km from the centre of the French capital and home to some 80,000 people. Administratively, it's part of the Hauts-de-Seine department.
Understand
Get in
Rueil-Malmaison lies along the large A86 highway. Another easy way in is via the RER line A1 from Paris centre (Auber, Chatelêt-les-Halles, Champs-Élysée). Bus 258, 141 and 144 from La Defense bus station will also bring you here, and has a stop very close to the Château. Bus 241 from Paris 17e can bring you in the downtown or at the train station (RER A).
Get around
See
- 🌍 Château de Malmaison, Avenue du Château de Malmaison, ☏ +33 1 41 29 05 55. Note lunchtime closure 12:30-13:30!. This beautifully restored castle was once the residence of Napoleon's wife Joséphine de Beauharnais, who cultivated a wide range of exotic plant species in the orangery and greenhouse she had built. For a while, it was also part of the headquarters for the French government. Today it serves as a fine museum about Napoleonic times in France, including original interior decorations and furniture as well as some fine gardens and a great park. €6.50 for adults, plus €2 when there are exhibitions in place..
- 🌍 Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church. Joséphine de Beauharnais was buried in the pretty town church, which you'll find right in the centre.
- 🌍 Barracks of the Swiss Guard. Listed as a national monument, these barracks were built in the mid 18th century.
- 🌍 Bois de Saint-Cucufa (Forêt de la Malmaison). This forest mesures about 107 hectares (260 acres). There is a lake, a cycling track of 4 km, a health track of 2 km and a few gym equipments, which are free to use.
- 🌍 Théatre André Malraux, 9 Pl. des Arts, ☏ +33 1 47 32 24 42. The main place in Rueil-Malmaison for cultural shows. It proposes circus, danse, humoristic scenes. Also, the famous TV show "La France a un incroyable talent" is recorded in this theatre.
Do
- Walking in Bois-Préau during spring or autumn season.
- Visiting the famous Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church, where you can find the tomb of Joséphine de Beauharnais.
- Being in the downtown at night. It is very quite, that is relaxing.
- Running on the edges of the Seine, especially at the sunset in summer season.
- Seeing the sunset on the top of the Mont-Valérien hill.
- Swimming in the new public swimming pool in Alain Mimoun. There are also a spa and a gym.
- Doing the sport track in the Bois de Saint-Cucufa. It takes approximately 1 hour.
There are a lot of fitness clubs (Fitness Park and Basic Fit are the main ones), and lot of other sport clubs for almost every sport.
Buy
You will find numerous locally-owned independent stores, especially downtown, where you can buy clothes, food or everyday objects (often handmade products).
Eat
One of the best restaurants in Rueil-Malmaison is "Le Beauharnais". It costs around €20-30 to eat. It has a very beautiful view on the Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church. An other good one is L'auberge du Fruit Défendu (prices are higher). Otherwise, you have Saperlipopette.
There are many bakeries in the downtown where you can buy croissant, pain au chocolat or baguette.
Drink
You can have a drink at the Leffe Bar or at the Long Island Café, in the downtown. You will have a view on the town's biggest library.
Sleep
You can sleep at the Hotel des Arts (price is about 60$ per night) or at the Ibis Hotel (a bit cheaper), which is near the André Malraux Theatre and the downtown.
Connect
Go next
There are many public transport connections to other cities next to Rueil.