Malmaison, The Tuileries And My French Front Door

Hello, mes amis (my friends)! In my quest to bring a bit of French flair to my home this Valentine’s Day I have decorated the front entry of Storybook Cottage.  I was inspired by Malmaison, The Tuileries And My French Front Door.

Château de Malmaison

Château de Malmaison was the former residence of Empress Joséphine. It was also the headquarters of the French government from 1800 to 1802  as well as Napoleon’s last residence in France at the end of the Hundred Days in 1815.

Joséphine bought the manor house in April 1799 for herself and her husband, General Napoléon Bonaparte, the future Napoléon I of France, when he was away fighting the Egyptian Campaign. Malmaison was a run-down estate, seven miles west of central Paris. It encompassed nearly 150 acres of woods and meadows. It was said that Bonaparte was furious at Joséphine for purchasing such an expensive house.

But he got over it.

According to Napoleon’s private secretary, Malmaison was “the only place next to the battlefield where he was truly himself.”

Reception at Malmaison in 1802 ~ François Flameng

After her divorce from Napoléon in 1810, Joséphine received Malmaison in her own right, along with a pension of 5 million francs a year. Joséphine endeavored to transform the large estate into “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation”.

The Rose of Malmaison ~ Jean Louis Victor Viger du Vigneau

From 1803 until her death in 1814, Josephine cultivated nearly 200 new plants in France for the first time. But it is the rose garden that has achieved enduring fame.

The Tuileries Palace

The Tuileries Palace (Palais des Tuileries) was a royal and imperial palace located in Paris. It stood on the right bank of the River Seine. It was the usual Parisian residence of several French monarchs from Henry IV to Napoleon III. Sadly, it was burned by the Paris Commune in 1871.

It was originally built in 1564 and gradually extended until it closed off the western end of the Louvre courtyard.

In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte came into power. The Tuileries was the official residence of the First Consul and, later, the imperial palace.  In 1808, Napoleon began building the northern gallery.

The painting below is a favorite of mine. Can you see the bee symbol? I spoke about it HERE.

Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries ~ Jacques-Louis David, 1812.

The palace was beautifully restored and decorated during the Second Empire.  It served as the center stage for ceremonies and pageantry. This included Queen Victoria’s state visit to France in 1855.

On 23 May 1871, twelve men under the orders of Jules Bergeretset set the Tuileries on fire. The fire lasted 48 hours and thoroughly gutted the palace. The only part that remains is the Pavillon de Flore, the gate of honor, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, as well as the foundation.

The site is now the location of the eastern end of the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries). I have been blessed to have walked the garden in both the springtime and in the fall. Indeed the sweetest rose I have ever smelled was located in this lovely piece of earth.

A French Laundry List

Inspired by these two lovely locations I wanted to create a bit of French flavored front entry. Roses were an absolute must!

Here is what I used:

• Metal container (Mine was found at At Home a few years ago. Similar styles are at most home decor/hobby stores.)
• Various roses ( These were found for pennies in the after Christmas clearance.)
• Icy hued greenery.
• Faux pink ginkgo leaves from the Dollar Store (Some were sprayed gold.)

I stripped the bright green leaves from the red roses as it didn’t fit with the icy green hues of other plants and my front door.

I find it easiest to just arrange the flowers with the container already hung on the door.

As the sun is currently shining I tucked in a few ostrich plumes. This is a nod to Napoleon’s bicorne hat.

Malmaison, The Tuileries And My French Front Door

Voila! A French flavored front porch to greet my guests.

Although Napoleon did not use the Fleur De Lis symbol it gives a bit of modern French flair to the front door.

I used existing potted plants I had on hand. I just love pairing red and turquoise together.

The small galvanzed container of red roses came from Trader Joe’s for just $3.99! I will replant it in the spring.

I have wanted an outdoor statuary head planter for a long time. They are quite expensive. This lovely lady was obtained at an estate sale for just $5.00. Crazy “hair” included!

A scattering of sheet music hearts is a nod to Napoleon’s love of Italian opera.

It’s just a little bit of ooh la la!

Laura

Come back on Saturday night to join my Valentine Linky Party with my friend Amber of Follow The Yellow Brick Road!!!