fixerupperjoandnap

[fixerupperjoandnap]

Josephine

[fixerupperjoandnap]

Josephine was born on a sugar plantation in Ste Martin. She married at 16 and moved to pre revolution Paris where she had 2 kids. Napoleon was born in Corsica just after the Italians sold the island to the French. He rose quickly in the military. During the revolution he sided with the revolutionaries while Jo’s husband was executed. Nap thought Jo was still pretty hot, even though her teeth were rotted and had fallen out, so he married and adopted the kids.

Nap was always away at wars abroad so Jo bought this 700 acre estate about an hour carriage ride from Paris. She did not tell him about the purchase but did use his gold !!!

Nap was some pissed and made a law that wives needed husbands consent before purchasing property. The 15th century home was a fixer upper in very rough shape. Repairs and upgrades used up most of their money and strained the relationship. Jo lived there full time and played billiards daily

This is better than the Louvre to see original paintings as estate was closed except for our riverboat tour. Many famous works such as this.

And a closer look

The little man’s bed with his kitty down below

You will notice in Jo’s room the walls and ceilings are covered in drapery as repairs were straining their finances and relationship.

And another famous original. The home changed hands in the 1800s until a patron bought the estate and spent decades and a fortune buying all the original furniture and artwork from Jo’s time in the home. He donated everything in 1904 to create this museum. Quite a gift

Neptune below. Lovely gardens, arboretum and sculptures. Sadly…… they divorced in 1809 as Jo spent most of the money on renos and over 600 ball room gowns; had numerous affairs, and failed to provide an heir

And guess who almost missed the bus back to the ship???? I begged for mercy for poor Madeline and the kind tour guide obliged.

Crisis averted……. Back to the ship for a final dinner and goodbye to France.

I hope you enjoyed coming along on our journey. It was a pleasure being able to share the sites and scenery.