Mont-Valérien This Hill dominated by a fort is today an important national memorial site. From 1941 to 1944, more than a thousand hostages, Jews, Communists and partisans were exe- cuted here by the German occupying forces. Erected against the wall of the fort, the memorial to ‘Fighting France’, inaugurated on 18 June 1960 by General de Gaulle, hon- ours the memory of all those killed in the Second World War. An emotional tour of the site is completed by a permanent exhibition ‘Resistance and Repression, 1940-1944’. Av. du Professeur Léon Bernard. 92150 Suresnes.tours only, by appointment. Daily, except Mon,01 47 28 46 35.Mémorial: guidedLa Seine 1 Jan, 1 May, 17 June, 18 June, 15 Aug, 1 Nov and25 Dec. March to June, Sept and Oct: Tues to Fri, Musicale 3pm and 4pm; Sat and Sun, 2.30pm and 4pm. The Seine Musicale, designed and built by Nov to Feb, July and Aug: Tues to Sun, 3pm. architects Shigeru Ban — winner of the Free. www.mont-valerien.fr Pritzker Prize in 2014 — and Jean de Gast- ines,has been thrilling music fans since 2017. This national and international music and performing arts centre, situated on the Île Seguin in Boulogne-Billancourt, has many facilities. The Grande Seine, with a 6,000 seat capacity, hosts concerts, musicals, ballets ... The Auditorium (1,150 seats), whose exter- nal appearance is a visual indicator of the venue, is given over to the performance of classical music. The Maîtrise des Hauts-de- Musée National des Châteaux Seine, the children’s choir of the Opéra de de Malmaison & Bois-Préau Paris, the Insula Orchestra, directed by Lau- Acquired in 1799 by Joséphine Bonaparte, rence Equilbey, and the Académie Musicale the Château de Malmaison became the res- Philippe Jaroussky have taken up residence idence of the future emperor and his wife here. The complex also includes recording and the seat of the French government: and rehearsal studios, restaurants, and cul- balls alternated with meetings of state! ture related shops. The Bellini Garden, on top Av. du Château de la Malmaison. 92500 of the main auditorium, invites the public to Rueil-Malmaison. M or RER A La Défense –o strolland reflect on biodiversity conserva- Grande Arche, then bus 258. 01 41 29 05 55. tion in urban areas. For a full and exclusive Daily, except Tues, 1 Jan and 25 Dec. 1 Apr to visit of the Seine Musicale, guided tours with 30 Sept: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.45pm guides from the agency Cultival provide the (Sat and Sun: 6.15pm). 1 Oct to 31 March: 10am- public with an insider’s view of the histori- 12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.15pm (Sat and Sun: cal, technical and architectural aspects of 5.45pm). Full rate: €6.50 (additional fee €2 the venue. during temporary exhibitions). Île Seguin. 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt. https://musees-nationaux-malmaison.fr Access by the Renault – Boulogne-Billancourt bridge. M Pont de Sèvres.o 01 74 34 54 00. Times and prices vary according to programme. www.laseinemusicale.com 46 WEST PARIS