Napoleon Museum
- Visit: 2–3 hours
- Not step-free
Open today 10:00–17:00Kinder und Jugendliche (6 -16 Jahre) CHF 5
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What's on here
Märchenhaft schön oder schön umständlich?
Sunday · All day18 CHF
Öffentliche Führung durch das Museum
Sunday · All day5 CHF
Schlossparkführung, eine zauberhafte Entdeckungsreise
Sunday · All day5 CHF
Parkführung, Gartenkunst aus Leidenschaft
Sunday · All day5 CHF
Öffentliche Führung durch das Museum
Sunday · All day5 CHF
Kuratorenführung durch die Sonderausstellung «Was der Kaiser noch sah»
Thursday · All day18 CHF
Märchenhaft schön oder schön umständlich?
Sunday · All day
Führung durchs weihnachtlich geschmückte Schloss
Sunday · All day
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Why go
- Empire-style furnishings and art recalling Napoléon I fill the castle’s French-style country house interiors.
- Napoléon III studied natural sciences, art, philosophy and military affairs with tutors at the castle.
- Hortense’s approximately 12-hectare English landscape garden was later shaped by Hermann von Pückler-Muskau.
- A hillside circuit through vineyards and gardens gives views over Lake Constance.
Plan your visit
Opening times
Prices
From the venue's website · checked 23 Sep 2026
Don't miss
- Neo-Gothic chapelA small chapel faces the lake in front of the castle entrance.In front of the castle entrance, facing the lake
- Lookout pavilionThe park’s lookout pavilion is flanked by two satyrs.In the park
Know before you go
- Open daily, 10:00–17:00, except during the winter closure from 21 December 2026 to 5 February 2027 inclusive.
- Leave bags and backpacks in the lockers.
- Photography and filming are prohibited for conservation reasons.
- Leashed dogs are allowed in the park, but not inside the museum.
What's inside
- Rooms showing the family’s life and Napoléon III’s early years.
With kids
- Children aged 6–16: CHF 5; children under 6: free.
Tips for your visit
- For information and reservations, call +41 58 345 74 10.
- For navigation, use Arenenberg, 8268 Salenstein.
Tours and audio guides
- Audio guide
- Download to your smartphone before visiting; valid for 72 hours
Interesting facts4
-
The museum’s collection largely consists of the castle’s original furnishings.
Arenenberg - Wikipedia -
Some rooms were refurnished after Empress Eugénie removed valuable objects before giving the castle to the canton.
Arenenberg - Wikipedia -
1865
When Napoléon III returned as emperor in August 1865, he gave a speech in the Thurgau dialect.
Arenenberg - Wikipedia -
Hortense hosted guests including Alexandre Dumas, Julie Récamier and François-René de Chateaubriand.
Arenenberg - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Hortense commissioned architect Wehrle of Constance to remodel Arenenberg to evoke Malmaison. After Napoléon III died in 1873, Eugénie returned to Arenenberg several times.
- 16th centuryConstance mayor Sebastian Geissberg built Arenenberg Castle on the site of a farm called Narrenberg.
- 1817Hortense de Beauharnais bought the castle while in exile.
- 1818Hortense moved into the remodelled castle.
- 1832Hortense built a neo-Gothic chapel and had the remaining ramparts demolished.
- 1837Hortense died at Arenenberg on 5 October.
Show all
- 1843Louis Napoléon sold the estate.
- 1852–1870Napoléon III ruled France as emperor.
- 1855–1874Empress Eugénie bought the estate back and oversaw renovations.
- 1906Eugénie gave Arenenberg to the Canton of Thurgau.
How to get there
- 20 minOn footFrom Mannenbach-Salenstein station, walk to the museum.
- 20 minOn footFrom the Mannenbach landing, walk to the museum.
- BusTake the Postauto from Bahnhof Ermatingen to Arenenberg Schloss.
- BikeFrom the Bodensee-Radweg, a short climb leads to the castle and gardens.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access The ground floor is accessible, but there are three steps at the entrance.
Sources: Arenenberg - Wikipedia · Napoleonmuseum - Arenenberg · Napoleonmuseum - Arenenberg · Informationen · Arenenberg - Wikipedia · Arenenberg - Wikipedia · Arenenberg - Wikipedia · Napoleon Museum: prices, seasons, visitor infor… · checked 12 Oct 2026
- Website
- napoleonmuseum.ch/
- Phone
- +41 58 345 74 10
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Where to stay nearby
Questions and answers
Did Louis Napoléon have a local civic connection?
The Canton of Thurgau granted him honorary citizenship in 1832.
What stood at Arenenberg before the castle?
A farm called Narrenberg stood on the site.
What did Hortense pay for Arenenberg?
She bought the castle for 30,000 thalers in 1817.
Why did Empress Eugénie buy Arenenberg back?
She bought it in April 1855 as a birthday gift for her husband.
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