Musée Picasso

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Hôtel Salé, a mansion built in the mid-17th century in the Marais for a financier responsible for the salt tax. The building had many uses (embassy, warehouse, school of decorative arts) before the City of Paris acquired it, listed it as a historic monument in 1968 and restored it in the 1970s and 1980s.

After Pablo Picasso’s death, his heirs handed over a very large part of his studio to the State in payment of inheritance tax. This holding, supplemented by a second donation in 1990 and the artist’s personal archives, forms the museum’s core. Architect Roland Simounet designed the interior of the mansion, and the museum opened in 1985.

The collection brings together paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, ceramics and photographs from every period of Picasso’s life, as well as works by artists he admired and collected, such as Cézanne, Matisse or Rousseau. After a major renovation from 2011 to 2014, the museum reopened with greatly enlarged exhibition spaces.

Highlights

• Paintings, sculptures and ceramics from all periods of Picasso’s career
• The artist’s personal studio and archives
• Picasso’s private collection, with works by Cézanne, Matisse and Rousseau
• Monumental staircase and sculpted décor of the Hôtel Salé
• Interior design by Roland Simounet, with furniture by Diego Giacometti

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente – Works by Picasso from all periods, along with his personal collection of artists such as Cézanne, Matisse or Rousseau, presented in the Hôtel Salé.

Founded

1985

Operated by

État – ministère de la Culture (établissement public)

Director

Cécile Debray

Visitors per year

approx. 629,312

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, for everyone, without booking.

A single ticket gives access to the permanent collections and the temporary exhibitions. Free tickets are not booked online. The Paris Museum Pass is accepted; the museum also offers the Picasso Pass annual membership.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is wheelchair-accessible, except the chapel; the lift serving the third level of the collection is currently out of service. Wheelchairs and seat canes are lent free of charge at reception. A large-print and Braille booklet is available for each exhibition. A video guide in French Sign Language for the collection can be borrowed without booking (€4 per person). Induction loops for the audio guide on request. The nearest public car park is at 7 rue Barbette; the nearest accessible parking space is at 14 rue de Thorigny.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Family visits for babies aged 0 to 18 months, for 3- to 5-year-olds and from age 6, as well as two-hour workshops (drawing, collage) for 3- to 5-year-olds and from age 6. A booklet of games to download, labels for young visitors in the exhibitions and an audio guide for children. Small strollers are allowed; suitable strollers can be requested at reception.

Getting there & parking

Street parking is difficult; visitors with reduced mobility are advised by the museum to be dropped off directly in front of the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Rooftop café with terrace (Tuesday to Friday 10:30–17:30, weekends 10:00–17:30). Free cloakroom at level -1; backpacks, bottles and umbrellas must be left there, while suitcases and large bags are refused. Garden open from April 1 to September 30. Bookshop open during museum hours.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces available for events: Hall des Communs (200 m²), Salon Jupiter (depending on the works on display), a garden of about 900 m² on request, and the rooftop café with an 80 m² terrace.

Plan your visit