Josephine Bonaparte
Her name inspires visions of tempestuous love and unforgettable style.
A force who parlayed her power far beyond the bedroom,
she's the empress who practically invented the word celebrity.
Before Madonna, before Prince, before Beyoncé,
there was Josephine, the dynamo known by just one name,
her brand transcending the confines of her superstar stature.
Josephine was Napoleon's lucky star, often described
as the secret weapon in his quest to rule the world.
More than anything, Josephine evokes a sense of time and place -- France
during the heady years of Napoleon's reign -- where so much of his
legacy sprang up not from the battlefield but from the home his
resourceful partner carefully nurtured -- the lovely Malmaison.
Now restored to its former glory, Chateau de Malmaison
is a thrilling walk into the life and times of the storied couple.
Just seven miles from Paris, treat yourself to a quiet
afternoon walking its stylish corridors and grounds.
Evoking a personal intimacy, Malmaison feels like a secret discovery.
A walk with the ghost of France Past, you can almost hear their footsteps.....
Her name inspires visions of tempestuous love and unforgettable style.
A force who parlayed her power far beyond the bedroom,
she's the empress who practically invented the word celebrity.
Before Madonna, before Prince, before Beyoncé,
there was Josephine, the dynamo known by just one name,
her brand transcending the confines of her superstar stature.
Josephine was Napoleon's lucky star, often described
as the secret weapon in his quest to rule the world.
More than anything, Josephine evokes a sense of time and place -- France
during the heady years of Napoleon's reign -- where so much of his
legacy sprang up not from the battlefield but from the home his
resourceful partner carefully nurtured -- the lovely Malmaison.
Now restored to its former glory, Chateau de Malmaison
is a thrilling walk into the life and times of the storied couple.
Just seven miles from Paris, treat yourself to a quiet
afternoon walking its stylish corridors and grounds.
Evoking a personal intimacy, Malmaison feels like a secret discovery.
A walk with the ghost of France Past, you can almost hear their footsteps.....
Napoleon was furious when Josephine first bought the run-down property in 1799. Her extravagant renovations cost him a pretty penny.
While the general was away conquering the world one battle at a time,
Josephine busied herself transforming chateau and grounds into
a shangri-la that befitted her husband, the future emperor.
She put every bit of her energy into the revamp, putting her personal
stamp on everything, the beautiful gardens in particular.
Josephine's ambitious vision was forward thinking and fruitful,
determined to create "the garden of France"
in tribute to her adopted nation and hero husband.
Her green revolution flourished, a success that won over even Napoleon.
She and her garden architects included a heated orangery for 300
pineapple plants, a greenhouse and most famously, a remarkable rose garden.
They cultivated nearly 200 plants that were completely new to France,
creating an air of feminine beauty and freedom.
Dahlias, lilies, and roses - the scent of a woman -- an escape from
troublesome wars, armies of wounded men and 19th century hardships.
Neither as large nor as posh as Versailles or Loire chateaux,
Malmaison feels like a real house that's tastefully decorated
and lived in -- well, as real as it can get for a pair of
Romeo & Juliet crowned heads of state....
Chateau de Malmaison's safe harbor served as the refined setting for the world's most famous twosome, reflecting their transition from love nest to empty nest.
"There's no place like home."
Dorothy Gale, from "The Wizard of Oz"
While the general was away conquering the world one battle at a time,
Josephine busied herself transforming chateau and grounds into
a shangri-la that befitted her husband, the future emperor.
She put every bit of her energy into the revamp, putting her personal
stamp on everything, the beautiful gardens in particular.
Josephine's ambitious vision was forward thinking and fruitful,
determined to create "the garden of France"
in tribute to her adopted nation and hero husband.
Her green revolution flourished, a success that won over even Napoleon.
She and her garden architects included a heated orangery for 300
pineapple plants, a greenhouse and most famously, a remarkable rose garden.
They cultivated nearly 200 plants that were completely new to France,
creating an air of feminine beauty and freedom.
Dahlias, lilies, and roses - the scent of a woman -- an escape from
troublesome wars, armies of wounded men and 19th century hardships.
Neither as large nor as posh as Versailles or Loire chateaux,
Malmaison feels like a real house that's tastefully decorated
and lived in -- well, as real as it can get for a pair of
Romeo & Juliet crowned heads of state....
Chateau de Malmaison's safe harbor served as the refined setting for the world's most famous twosome, reflecting their transition from love nest to empty nest.
"There's no place like home."
Dorothy Gale, from "The Wizard of Oz"
Grand, but not overdone, the chateau incorporated council rooms
so Napoleon could conduct official state business.
History was written behind these walls, including one of the most
influential laws penned in the nineteenth century, The Code Napoleon,
edicts dedicated to civil rights, freedom of religion and equality for all (men).
Josephine sought to offer a home that would please her husband's he-man side
while maintaining her vision of romance and daring style.
She made sure Napoleon's official office was also a luxurious retreat.
The sound of birdsong was always on hand -- parakeets and cockatoos -- one
of which allegedly cried "Bonaparte" to everyone within earshot.
Kangaroos, zebras, llamas and and other wildlife roamed the grounds,
highlighting the military genius's expansive world view
while extending extraordinary amusement to anyone who visited.
Tulips from Holland and lilies from Egypt made heads turn.
From the marble floors to the luxury furnishings,
Josephine filled their world with splendor and good taste.
Beautifully decorated, Malmaison must have been like a long slow drink of
honeyed wine that made Napoleon's hard fought battles feel long ago and far away.
so Napoleon could conduct official state business.
History was written behind these walls, including one of the most
influential laws penned in the nineteenth century, The Code Napoleon,
edicts dedicated to civil rights, freedom of religion and equality for all (men).
Josephine sought to offer a home that would please her husband's he-man side
while maintaining her vision of romance and daring style.
She made sure Napoleon's official office was also a luxurious retreat.
The sound of birdsong was always on hand -- parakeets and cockatoos -- one
of which allegedly cried "Bonaparte" to everyone within earshot.
Kangaroos, zebras, llamas and and other wildlife roamed the grounds,
highlighting the military genius's expansive world view
while extending extraordinary amusement to anyone who visited.
Tulips from Holland and lilies from Egypt made heads turn.
From the marble floors to the luxury furnishings,
Josephine filled their world with splendor and good taste.
Beautifully decorated, Malmaison must have been like a long slow drink of
honeyed wine that made Napoleon's hard fought battles feel long ago and far away.
Chateau de Malmaison's wine cellar purportedly once held some 13,000 bottles.
The best wines were served at Josephine's lavish parties where
beautiful 18th century bottles and glasses set the glamorous stage.
Champagne was served, of course, as well as
rum from Josephine's native Martinique.
The Bonapartes promoted a "new" favorite -- wine from Bordeaux -- in
an age where most people (Napoleon included) were apt to champion Burgundy.
Imagine the dining room table -- frescoes of sexy Pompeian dancers hovered
above over-the-top table settings to the delight of the amazed guests.
To top it off, the skilled and seductive hostess, clad in the most stylishly
"correct" dress of the day -- gauzy, embellished with gold, silver or even rose
petals -- often invited her well dressed baby orangutan "Rose" to the festivities.
Oh to be a fly on that wall!
She intuitively knew how to work it, making sure
Napoleon had a reason to return home after every battle.
The best wines were served at Josephine's lavish parties where
beautiful 18th century bottles and glasses set the glamorous stage.
Champagne was served, of course, as well as
rum from Josephine's native Martinique.
The Bonapartes promoted a "new" favorite -- wine from Bordeaux -- in
an age where most people (Napoleon included) were apt to champion Burgundy.
Imagine the dining room table -- frescoes of sexy Pompeian dancers hovered
above over-the-top table settings to the delight of the amazed guests.
To top it off, the skilled and seductive hostess, clad in the most stylishly
"correct" dress of the day -- gauzy, embellished with gold, silver or even rose
petals -- often invited her well dressed baby orangutan "Rose" to the festivities.
Oh to be a fly on that wall!
She intuitively knew how to work it, making sure
Napoleon had a reason to return home after every battle.
Josephine's lair was a combination of The Pentagon and Downton Abbey,
a G.I. Joe and Aphrodite omelette that mingled
political reality with romantic fiction.
Josephine worked her end to its best advantage, always keeping
the needs and ego of Napoleon front and center.
Her feminine side appealed to the ruthless warrior who came home
exhausted from the filth of war and perpetual political plots.
His very own princess-bride, he gave in to her
outlandish spending habits and overstuffed wardrobe.
It was said that in one year alone she ordered 520 pair of shoes.
Napoleon was a man in love.
And much more -- insatiable for power and world dominance, it sometimes
seemed he was equally ravenous to conquer one woman body and soul.
His letters from the battlefield were filled with snapchat-like lust for Josephine with words such as "a kiss on your heart and one much lower down, much lower" and
my personal favorite -- "I am coming home. Don't wash."
Evidently, the man who lived a life filled with RISK and DANGER
often found it at home in bed -- a campaign he always won....
a G.I. Joe and Aphrodite omelette that mingled
political reality with romantic fiction.
Josephine worked her end to its best advantage, always keeping
the needs and ego of Napoleon front and center.
Her feminine side appealed to the ruthless warrior who came home
exhausted from the filth of war and perpetual political plots.
His very own princess-bride, he gave in to her
outlandish spending habits and overstuffed wardrobe.
It was said that in one year alone she ordered 520 pair of shoes.
Napoleon was a man in love.
And much more -- insatiable for power and world dominance, it sometimes
seemed he was equally ravenous to conquer one woman body and soul.
His letters from the battlefield were filled with snapchat-like lust for Josephine with words such as "a kiss on your heart and one much lower down, much lower" and
my personal favorite -- "I am coming home. Don't wash."
Evidently, the man who lived a life filled with RISK and DANGER
often found it at home in bed -- a campaign he always won....
Strong, complicated, and doubtlessly determined to keep her crown and her man, Josephine "built" Chateau de Malmaison from the ground floor up.
Surely, she reveled in her triumph.
But not for long.
There were issues from the very beginning.
Napoleon's family objected to her advanced age, correctly assuming it might
prevent her from issuing Napoleon's -- thereby France's -- heirs.
In spite of their passionate romance and steamy encounters,
the couple was never rewarded with children.
Spelling disaster for the emperor and empress, the stress and
family subterfuge eventually collapsed the marriage.
Napoleon, big daddy to France, needed an heir.
He found his "womb" and made his move.
Divorcing a heart-broken Josephine, he married Marie-Louise
of Austria and finally became a father.
Josephine, meanwhile, wasn't about to let an 18-year-old
husband-stealing archduchess get the best of her.
Nor would she let any grass grow underneath her royal derriere.
She continued to reside at Malmaison, title intact, and managed to swallow
her pride, throwing lavish parties for the emperor and his new wife and son.
She had escaped the sharp blade of the guillotine earlier in life
and wasn't about to let a divorce cut the life out of her.
Chateau de Malmaison was her salvation.
"Life is like a bicycle. Keep moving."
Albert Einstein
Surely, she reveled in her triumph.
But not for long.
There were issues from the very beginning.
Napoleon's family objected to her advanced age, correctly assuming it might
prevent her from issuing Napoleon's -- thereby France's -- heirs.
In spite of their passionate romance and steamy encounters,
the couple was never rewarded with children.
Spelling disaster for the emperor and empress, the stress and
family subterfuge eventually collapsed the marriage.
Napoleon, big daddy to France, needed an heir.
He found his "womb" and made his move.
Divorcing a heart-broken Josephine, he married Marie-Louise
of Austria and finally became a father.
Josephine, meanwhile, wasn't about to let an 18-year-old
husband-stealing archduchess get the best of her.
Nor would she let any grass grow underneath her royal derriere.
She continued to reside at Malmaison, title intact, and managed to swallow
her pride, throwing lavish parties for the emperor and his new wife and son.
She had escaped the sharp blade of the guillotine earlier in life
and wasn't about to let a divorce cut the life out of her.
Chateau de Malmaison was her salvation.
"Life is like a bicycle. Keep moving."
Albert Einstein
This was one of Napoleon's last stops before his permanent exile on St. Helena.
Josephine had already perished, doubling his misery and pain.
And to the very end, Napoleon thought first of France, his army and Josephine, doubtlessly rooted in deep ties to his personal sanctuary at Chateau de Malmaison.
Perhaps as he lay dying, he realized though he ruled the world, she ruled his heart.
"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."
Jean de la Fontaine, french poet
Josephine had already perished, doubling his misery and pain.
And to the very end, Napoleon thought first of France, his army and Josephine, doubtlessly rooted in deep ties to his personal sanctuary at Chateau de Malmaison.
Perhaps as he lay dying, he realized though he ruled the world, she ruled his heart.
"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."
Jean de la Fontaine, french poet
Make a date with destiny and be sure to include
Chateau de Malmaison on your next trip to Paris.
A walk down Napoleon & Josephine Lane is more than a history lesson.
Malmaison is a gift to travelers who live for the chance to get swept up
into a richly layered history that reads more like fiction than reality.
Legendary Lovers
by Katy Perry
"Under a silver moon, tropical temperature
I feel my lotus bloom, come closer
I want your energy, I want your aura
You are my destiny, my mantra
Never knew I could see something so clearly looking through my third eye
Never knew karma could be so rewarding and bring me to your life
Maybe this is the beginning of something so magical, tonight (oh, oh)
Take me down to the river
Underneath the blood orange sun
Say my name like a scripture
Keep my heart beating like a drum
Legendary lovers, we could be legendary
Legendary lovers, we should be legendary
Go down in history
Go down together, into infinity, forever
You're Cleopatra
You're blushing Juliet
Anything for your love, a ride or die
Never knew I could see something so clearly looking through my third eye
Never knew karma could be so rewarding and bring me to your life
Maybe this is the beginning of something so magical, tonight (oh, oh)
Take me down to the river
Underneath the blood orange sun
Say my name like a scripture
Keep my heart beating like a drum
Legendary lovers, we could be legendary
Legendary lovers, we should be legendary
Take me down to the river
Underneath the blood orange sun
Say my name like a scripture
Keep my heart beating like a drum
Legendary lovers, we could be legendary
Legendary lovers, we should be legendary"
Songwriters
KATY PERRY, BONNIE LEIGH MCKEE, MAX MARTIN, LUKASZ GOTTWALD, HENRY WALTER
Chateau de Malmaison on your next trip to Paris.
A walk down Napoleon & Josephine Lane is more than a history lesson.
Malmaison is a gift to travelers who live for the chance to get swept up
into a richly layered history that reads more like fiction than reality.
Legendary Lovers
by Katy Perry
"Under a silver moon, tropical temperature
I feel my lotus bloom, come closer
I want your energy, I want your aura
You are my destiny, my mantra
Never knew I could see something so clearly looking through my third eye
Never knew karma could be so rewarding and bring me to your life
Maybe this is the beginning of something so magical, tonight (oh, oh)
Take me down to the river
Underneath the blood orange sun
Say my name like a scripture
Keep my heart beating like a drum
Legendary lovers, we could be legendary
Legendary lovers, we should be legendary
Go down in history
Go down together, into infinity, forever
You're Cleopatra
You're blushing Juliet
Anything for your love, a ride or die
Never knew I could see something so clearly looking through my third eye
Never knew karma could be so rewarding and bring me to your life
Maybe this is the beginning of something so magical, tonight (oh, oh)
Take me down to the river
Underneath the blood orange sun
Say my name like a scripture
Keep my heart beating like a drum
Legendary lovers, we could be legendary
Legendary lovers, we should be legendary
Take me down to the river
Underneath the blood orange sun
Say my name like a scripture
Keep my heart beating like a drum
Legendary lovers, we could be legendary
Legendary lovers, we should be legendary"
Songwriters
KATY PERRY, BONNIE LEIGH MCKEE, MAX MARTIN, LUKASZ GOTTWALD, HENRY WALTER
RSS Feed
