"Art and History" Rueil-Malmaison by pedroswift

Two reasons to visit Rueil-Malmaison are to seek out the area much loved by Impressionest Painters and to visit the chateaux museums dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine.
Situated approx. 14km west of central Paris, Rueil is on the left bank of the Seine: the town of Chatou on the right bank. Between the two villages there is the Isle of Chatou with The Fournaise Hamlet, a community dedicated to keeping alive the memory of the Impressionist Painters and the Poets who frequented the area.
Equally important, in my opinion but I have an interest in the nautical, is the preservation and restoration of the river boats depicted in many of the paintings by the Association Sequana which is quartered on the groundfloor of the Restaurant 'Les Rives de la Courtille'.

Les Rives de la Courtille - eat & play with boats

Situated on the left bank of the Seine some distance from the river these wonderful museums are a must-see for all fans of the Bonaparte family. See my Paris Off the Beaten Path tip.

La Mason Fournaise meeting place of Impressionists

Renoir painted his 'Oarsmen at Chatou' from the balcony of the Maison Fournaise . The lunch time scene in the good old days is depicted in his famous painting 'Luncheon of the Boating Party'.
see BeatChick's Chatou Page with review of the restaurant. (now rather than when Renoir was there!)

• Pros:4 or 5 wonderful museums to visit in one area
• Cons:can't think of any
• In a nutshell:Get out of town (Paris) & see some famous river scenery