MONT-VALÉRIEN This Hilldominated 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’. LA SEINE Av. du Professeur Léon Bernard. 92150 Suresnes. 01 47 28 46 35. MUSICALE Mémorial: guided tours only, by appointment. Daily, except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May, 17 June, 18 June (am), 15 Aug, 1 Nov and 25 Dec. March to June, Sept and Oct: Tues to Fri, 3pm and 4pm; Sat and The Seine Musicale, designed and built by Sun, 2.30pm and 4pm. Nov to Feb, July and Aug: architects Shigeru Ban — winner of the Tues to Sun, 3pm. Free. Pritzker Prize in 2014 — and Jean de Gas- www.mont-valerien.fr tines, has been thrilling music fans since 2017. This national and international music MUSÉE NATIONAL DES CHÂTEAUX and performing arts centre, situated on the DE MALMAISON & BOIS-PRÉAU 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- Seine, the children’s choir of the Opéra de Paris, the Insula Orchestra, directed by Lau- rence Equilbey, and the Académie Musicale Philippe Jaroussky have taken up residence Acquired in 1799 by Joséphine Bonaparte, here. The complex also includes recording the Château de Malmaison became the res- and rehearsal studios, restaurants, and cul- idence of the future emperor and his wife ture related shops. The Bellini Garden, on top and the seat of the French government: of the main auditorium, invites the public to balls alternated with meetings of state! stroll and reflect on biodiversity conservation Av. du Château de la Malmaison. 92500 in urban areas. For a full and exclusive visit of Rueil-Malmaison. M or RER A La Défense –o the Seine Musicale, guided tours with guides Grande Arche, then bus 258. 01 41 29 05 55. from the agency Cultival provide the public Daily, except Tues, 1 Jan and 25 Dec. 1 Apr to with an insider’s view of the historical, tech- 30 Sept: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.45pm nical and architectural aspects of the venue. (Sat and Sun: 6.15pm). 1 Oct to 31 March: 10am- Île Seguin. 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt. 12.30pm and 1.30pm-5.15pm (Sat and Sun: Access by the Renault – Boulogne-Billancourt 5.45pm). Full rate: €6.50 (additional fee €2 bridge. M Pont de Sèvres.o during temporary exhibitions). 01 74 34 54 00. Times and rates vary https://musees-nationaux-malmaison.fr according to programme. www.laseinemusicale.com WEST PARIS | 51