Well I finally stumped the Francophiles! This gorgeous floor can be found at
Château de Malmaison. Located 12km from Paris, in Rueil-Malmaison, it was the country home of Josephine deBeauharnais. She purchased the run down château for over 300,000 francs while Napoléon was off fighting the Egyptian Campaign. Apparently he wasn't any too pleased that she had spent such a sum, so to make matters worse, she spent a fortune renovating and turning it into the lovely home and gardens we see today. It's worth the trip. Exquisitely decorated inside and outside the gardens are just beautiful. And the best part? Not a tourist stop apparently. It was a delightful morning spent touring without the throngs.
My thanks to David Draper for pointing us to this beautiful place. David, I hope I did it justice!
v
Napolean slept here!
16 comments:
Well, at least I can say I was there --- in 2002, but I don't remember that floor. Definitely worth visiting again. You're right, it's not a tourist stop. My girlfriend and I were the only ones in the house. It was a rainy morning, so we didn't get to see much of the gardens.
Did you venture out there by yourself?
Reminds me of the historical fiction books I read from Josaphine's point of view...great series!!
I want to go I want to go!
beautiful!!!!
Malmaison was recommended to our HS group as an alternative to Versailles, when that palace was on strike the day we were to visit, and we loved it. That was so long ago I never would have guessed it as the site of that floor. I would love to return some day!
Sigh. How lovely.
So, now the mystery is clear! A short bed for a short man (last photo) ;-))
Well, actually, you cheated! This place in NOT in Paris. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has never been there and thus, would have no idea where or what it might be. So, you see my dear, you haven't really stumped anyone.
Oh, Virginia, now you have given me another place to visit in October. A month just isn't going to be long enough. I have so many days already scheduled on my calendar.
Cameras: I have my old lovely Minolta 35mm SLR with a gazillion lenses that is sitting idly in a corner. I loved it but film just doesn't work anymore for all the hundreds of photos I snap. I've looked at the new digital SLRs and they are heavy to carry especially with the extra lenses.
I'm looking at the Panasonic Lumix FZ28. Good 18x zoom and good lens and not too heavy to take on trip.
Oh now Starman, it's on the ourskirts of Paris, not some remote village!HA Don't worry, the next puzzle will be well in the official city limits, I promise!
Karen, Good for you. GOod luck with your new camera. I just bought a longer lens and it's making my camera heavier but I'm going to love it!!
Virginia, on your next puzzle, could you consult with the author, Dan Brown, or some other puzzle master to write something that would give us a clue without giving it away. We need HELP!
I wish that you had done a photo of something that had a swan motif -- isn't there a rug with that motif at Malmaison --- that would have given us a small clue.
Harriet,
In my quest to find the perfect puzzle, not to hard - not too easy, I am hope to find the perfect one! HA
I'll keep digging in my archives. Another one soon.. in the city limits, I can assure you.
Virginia-
Do you recall that JFK and Jackie visited Malmaison during his 1000 days?
She wore a yellow suit and yellow pillbox hat.....with gloves.
Francine,
I don't remember but wish I could find some photos of that visit. I think I remember the yellow suit and pillbox!HA
V
Ahhhhh....
Now for the big question. How did you get such great shots without using a flash?
Oh you just hold the camera really tight, ( elbows by your side) take a deep breath, and squeeze the shutter button very gently. I hate a tripod and many places won't let you bring one. It's best to use one for low light and and I'm getting there, but in some cases try that or plop your purse on something and use that!
If you're lucky enough to have Peter with you, he's a great human tripod. Just grab your camera and lean back on him.
V
What a gorgeous room! Wow!
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