Avalon Creativity docked in Conflans Sainte-Honorine today, and we visited Château de Malmaison, a favored retreat of Napoleon I and his first wife Joséphine. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Early this morning, Avalon Creativity pulled away from Port Javel, within sight of the Eiffel Tower, and began to meander along La Seine through the Parisian suburbs. Just after noon, we docked in Conflans Sainte-Honorine, where two complimentary excursions were offered, one a visit Auvers-Sur-Oise, a quaint village where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, and the other to Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison.
We chose to visit the chateau, captured below in a few photos from today’s visit.
At Château de Malmaison, where Napoleon I and his first wife Joséphine spent time. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Joséphine and her children (by another marriage). The reason that she and Napoleon divorced was that she could no longer have children. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Napoleon’s library at Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Beautiful rooms at Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Napoleon failed at horse-riding at the military school. He’s depicted here crossing the Alps on horseback. He actually crossed on a donkey. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Note the swan armrests. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
At Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
At Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
At Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Napoleon’s bedroom at Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
Beautiful Château de Malmaison. © 2012 Ralph Grizzle
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