Imagine standing where history whispers. Here on Rue Malmaison, we find ourselves connected to a past more layered than the Parisian cobblestones beneath our feet. This street in Bagnolet shares its name with Rueil-Malmaison. Rueil-Malmaison is a commune located to the west of Paris. It is known for its rich history and cultural significance.
Originally, Rueil-Malmaison was simply called Rueil. Its name evolved over centuries. Medieval texts record it as Roialum, Riogilum, or other similar variations. The name possibly comes from Gaulish roots. “Ialo” meant clearing or glade. It was combined with a word for brook or ford.
In 1928, the town’s name officially became Rueil-Malmaison. This change honored its most famous landmark. That landmark is the Château de Malmaison. The Château was the beloved home of Joséphine de Beauharnais. She was Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife.
“Malmaison” itself carries a weighty history. The name comes from Medieval Latin: mala mansio. This translates to ill-fated domain or estate of ill luck. In the Early Middle Ages, a royal residence stood here. Vikings destroyed it in 846.
Rueil-Malmaison’s past goes back even further. Archaeological digs uncovered a Mesolithic site dating from 10300 to 8700 BCE. This “Closeaux” site revealed evidence of the Azilian people. They were early inhabitants of the region. Remains of a 12000-year-old Eurasian cave lion were also found.
The first written mention of Rueil appeared in the 6th century. Gregory of Tours mentioned “Rotoialum villae” in his History of the Franks. This referred to a Roman-style villa. From the 6th to 8th centuries, Merovingian kings enjoyed it as a place for leisure and hunting.
Over the centuries, Rueil-Malmaison saw its share of turmoil. During Edward III’s Chevauchée in 1346, it was burned. The Black Prince devastated it. Recovery took a long time.
In 1622, Christophe Perrot built a château here. He was a counselor to the Parliament of Paris. This château was on the site of Malmaison. Later, it became Empress Joséphine’s property.
Cardinal Richelieu acquired the estate in 1633. He preferred the Château du Val. It was built for Jean Moisset. Moisset was a financier under Henri IV. Richelieu funded the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church façade. His architect Lemercier designed it.
The Marquise de Maintenon, King Louis XIV’s secret wife, rented a house in Rueil in 1691. She educated poor children there. This effort predated her larger institution at Saint-Cyr.
The construction of barracks in 1754 brought more people to Rueil. The barracks housed a Swiss Guards regiment. Architect Charles-Axel Guillaumot designed the Rueil barracks. Today, only the Guynemer barracks remain.
Joséphine Bonaparte purchased the Château de Malmaison in 1799. She renovated it with architects Percier and Fontaine. Napoleon often stayed there. He made important decisions there. These included the Louisiana Purchase. He also established the Legion of Honor. After their divorce, Napoleon let Joséphine keep the title of Empress. She also kept Malmaison. She loved the estate and built heated greenhouses. She pursued her passion for botany there.
After Napoleon’s defeat, he abdicated in 1814. He left for exile. Joséphine welcomed Tsar Alexander I of Russia in Rueil. She sought his protection. She died in Rueil on May 29, 1814. She was buried in the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church.
In 1815, Anglo-Prussian forces looted Rueil after the Hundred Days. The British ransacked Malmaison. Prussians ravaged Masséna’s property.
Napoleon III funded the restoration of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church. It held the tombs of his mother and grandmothers. The Spanish royal family also lived in Rueil. They were exiled after the revolution of 1868.
During the Franco-Prussian War, Rueil was a battle site. French and Prussian troops clashed there in 1870 and 1871.
In 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Tuck, an American couple, supported Rueil. They funded the Stell Hospital. They built schools. They helped preserve the Château de Malmaison.
In the past, Parisians enjoyed Rueil’s riverside guinguettes. These were popular thanks to the railway line. Boating on the Seine was also popular.
During the 1910 Seine flood, Rueil was flooded. Three infantry battalions guarded abandoned properties.
Germans occupied Rueil in 1940. Resistance executions took place at Mont-Valérien fort. The town was freed in 1944.
Today, Rueil-Malmaison is a vibrant town. The Château de Malmaison houses a Napoleonic museum. The Musée d’histoire locale displays local history.
The Stell Hospital continues to provide healthcare. Schneider Electric and VINCI have headquarters in Rueil-Malmaison. The town maintains strong connections with its twin cities around the world. It pairs with cities from Ávila, Spain, to Chernivtsi, Ukraine. As we stand here on Rue Malmaison, we connect with centuries of French history.