Rueil-Malmaison
Rueil-Malmaison[dead link] 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[edit]
Get in[edit]
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[edit]
See[edit]
- 1 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..
- 2 Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church. Joséphine de Beauharnais was buried in the pretty town church, which you'll find right in the centre.
- 3 Barracks of the Swiss Guard. Listed as a national monument, these barracks were built in the mid 18th century.
- 4 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.
- 5 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, danCe, humoristic scenes. Also, the famous TV show La France a un incroyable talent is recorded in this theatre and diffused on M6, one of the most important channel TV in France.
Do[edit]
- Walking in Bois-Préau during spring or autumn season.
- Being in the downtown at night. It is quite 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 for relaxing. Prices are not very expensive.
- Doing the sport track in the Bois de Saint-Cucufa. It takes approximately 1 or 2 hours.
- Going to Arsenal for sport activities.
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 (football, tennis, gym, volleyball, ping-pong).
Buy[edit]
You will find numerous locally-owned independent stores, especially downtown, where you can buy clothes, food or handmade products.
Eat[edit]
There are many bakeries in the downtown where you can buy croissant, pain au chocolat or baguette and many other food items.
- 1 Le Beauharnais, 29 Pl. de l'Église, ☏ +33141291221. 6:30AM-11PM. It has a very beautiful view on the Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church €18-30.
- 2 L'Auberge du Fruit Défendu, 80 Bd Bellerive, ☏ +33147496060. 12PM-10PM. Also an hostel.
- 3 La Terrasse, 28 Rue de la Libération, ☏ +33147160280. 10.30AM-10:30PM. Traditionnal french dishes.
Drink[edit]
You can have a drink at the Leffe Bar, Café Bar or at the Long Island Café, in the downtown. You will have a view on La Médiathèque, the town's biggest library where you can rent books, CDs and many other cultural objects.
Sleep[edit]
You can sleep at the Hotel des Arts (price is about €60-70 per night) or at the Ibis Hotel (a bit cheaper), which is near the André Malraux Theatre and the downtown.
Connect[edit]
Go next[edit]
There are many public transport connections to other cities next to Rueil such as bus, tramway or RER.