|
|
|
|
Musee Picasso Review
Read our Paris sights reviews. Or post your own.
Musée Picasso
- Address: 5 rue de Thorigny, Le Marais, Paris | Map It
- Phone: 01-42-71-25-21
- www.musee-picasso.fr
- Category: Museums/Galleries
- Location: Le Marais
Fodor's Review:
The Picasso museum opened in 1985 and shows no signs of losing its immense popularity. This is the largest Picasso collection in the world -- and these are "Picasso's Picassos," not necessarily his most famous works but rather the paintings and sculptures the artist valued most. Arranged chronologically, the museum gives you a great snapshot (with descriptions in English) of the painter's life. It also covers Picasso's personal collection of work by friends and influences such as Matisse, Braque, Cézanne, and Rousseau. The building itself, erected in the 17th century, became a permanent home for Picasso's work after much of it was given to the government by the artist's heirs in lieu of death duties after his death in 1973. The Hôtel Salé is showing some wear and tear from being one of the city's most popular museums; on peak summer afternoons this place is more congested than the Gare due Lyon.
The collection spans Picasso's entire life's work, from the Blue period all the way to Surrealism, when he painted what's arguably his most famous painting Guernica, which hangs in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid. But there's still plenty to see, and we advise setting aside an entire morning or afternoon to spend here. For those who are short on time and want a whirlwind tour, the three don't-miss paintings, listed in chronological order (which is how you'll see them walking through the museum) are: Self Portrait, (1901); Two Women Running on the Beach, (1922); and The Kiss, (1969).
The ground floor of the museum is a lovely sculpture garden, where you'll find The Bathers, (1956), and in the basement there's a collection of Picasso's ceramics, which are stunningly colorful.
- Cost: EUR 9.50; free 1st Sun. of month
- Open: Winter, Wed.-Mon. 9:30-5:30; summer, Wed.-Mon. 9:30-6
- Metro: St-Sebastien
Get Advice From Other Travelers
- Amsterdam & Paris at night
8 responses; most recent on 09/25/2008, 08:50 pm - Paris Apartment Rental Robberies?
35 responses; most recent on 09/24/2008, 07:48 am - Crepes in Paris
13 responses; most recent on 09/23/2008, 06:54 pm - Two Vegans in Paris...Help!
18 responses; most recent on 09/22/2008, 06:08 pm
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip >>
Buy the Guidebook
-
$22.95
-
$18.95
Get the Fodor's Newsletter
Read the current issue
For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Browse previous issues.
