Musée National Picasso-Paris is in the Marais, at 5 Rue de Thorigny, inside the 17th-century Hôtel Salé. Its collection brings together around 5,000 works by Pablo Picasso, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics, prints and notebooks, tracing changes in his art across his career. The mansion is part of the visit: look for its grand staircase and richly detailed interiors as you move through the galleries. Allow about an hour for a brisk visit, or longer if you want time with the works and the temporary exhibitions.
Inside the Hôtel Salé
The museum occupies the Hôtel Salé, a private mansion built in the mid-17th century in the Marais. Its name refers to salt: the house was commissioned for Pierre Aubert, a tax collector whose fortune came from the salt tax. The mansion later passed into the city’s ownership and became a setting for Picasso’s work.
The building has its own architectural interest. The symmetrical façade, Baroque staircase and ornate rooms offer a striking contrast to the variety of forms and styles in the galleries. Diego Giacometti designed furnishings for the Hôtel Salé. The museum also has a formal garden, with benches where you can rest.
A collection spanning Picasso’s career
The collection contains around 5,000 works by Picasso, along with a large archive of documents and personal material. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, prints, notebooks and photographs help show how he worked across different mediums. Not everything is displayed at once, and the works on view can change.
The collection moves through Picasso’s career, from his early work to Cubism, Surrealism and his later paintings. Alongside finished works, sketches, drafts and other material reveal stages in the process behind them. The collection includes well-known paintings such as Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Guernica and Portrait of Dora Maar. Picasso’s personal art collection also includes works by artists such as Cézanne, Degas and Matisse.
Planning your visit
The museum opened in 1985 and reopened after a major renovation in 2014. Its exhibition areas include the Hôtel Salé and a separate building at the back of the garden, used for temporary exhibitions. Check what is on view when planning your visit, especially if you have been before, as the programme changes.
A quick circuit can take about an hour, but the range of works and the building reward a slower pace. Galleries extend across several levels, including basement areas, so leave time to explore beyond the main floors. Advance ticket booking is recommended. The museum is closed on Mondays and open from Tuesday to Sunday; check its official website for current ticket details and visitor information.
Perguntas frequentes
How long do you need at Musée National Picasso-Paris?
A brisk visit can take about an hour. Allow longer to explore all the levels, pause in the galleries and see temporary exhibitions.
Where is Musée National Picasso-Paris?
It is at 5 Rue de Thorigny in the Marais district of Paris, inside the Hôtel Salé.
Should I book Musée National Picasso-Paris tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended. Check the museum’s official website for current ticket details.
Is Musée National Picasso-Paris open on Mondays?
No. The museum is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday.
