Picasso’s estate in a 17th-century mansion in the Marais. Two hours, then lunch in the neighborhood.
The short version
- Book a timed slot at museepicassoparis.fr: €16, free under 18 and for EU residents under 26 with ID. The ticket covers the collection and the exhibitions.
- Closed Mondays. Open 9:30 to 18:00 Tuesday to Sunday, last entry 17:15, rooms cleared 20 minutes before closing.
- The entrance is at 5 rue de Thorigny, in the Marais. Saint-Paul on line 1 is the closest metro; Chemin Vert and Saint-Sébastien Froissart on line 8 are about the same walk.
- Suitcases, travel bags and backpacks are not allowed in, and the cloakroom will not take them. Come with a small bag only.
- The collection is on three floors. The lift to the third floor is out of service, so plan on stairs.
- The Kurt Schwitters retrospective runs from October 6, 2026 to February 7, 2027, more than 300 works, in your ticket.
Getting in
Buy the slot online. Priority entry holds for 30 minutes after the time on your ticket, so arrive inside that window. The ticket desk sells on the day too, but the online slot is what skips the line. Free tickets can’t be booked online: show ID at the desk.
The €12 family rate is for one or two adults coming with a child. The Paris Museum Pass is accepted and sold at the desk. Groups of seven or more must reserve.
The first Sunday of the month is free for everyone, with no booking, and it is the busiest day of the month. The audio guide is €5, or €4 for EEA residents under 26.
Or do it with lunch: our private Marais food tour meets in front of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis church on the rue Saint-Antoine, two and a half hours with ten tastings and a bistro lunch, daily, and the museum is a short walk from the start.
The visit
The Hôtel Salé is a 17th-century mansion at 5 rue de Thorigny, named for the salt-tax collector who built it and listed as a historic monument in 1968. The grand staircase is the first thing you see; give it a minute. The museum opened here in October 1985.
The collection came from the artist’s estate: works given to the French state in place of inheritance tax, then added to by his heirs. It is hung over three floors in a rehang titled Revoir Picasso that runs to March 12, 2027.
Two small dossier shows sit inside the rehang: one on the Cahiers d’Art journal on the first floor, one on Malraux and Picasso on the third. The Schwitters retrospective is the big draw this winter, and it is in the same ticket.
Two hours covers the three floors and the exhibition. The rooftop café keeps museum hours, and the Marais is outside the door for lunch.
When to go
Tuesday to Friday at 9:30, or after 16:00 any day. Weekends fill by late morning, and the Marais streets outside are at their busiest on Sunday afternoon.
Closed every Monday, January 1, May 1 and December 25. Early close at 17:00 on December 24 and 31, last entry 16:15.
The first Sunday of the month is free and crowded. If free is not the point, pay the €16 on a weekday and have the rooms to yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a timed ticket for the Musée Picasso?
Yes, to skip the line. Online tickets carry a slot, and priority entry holds for the 30 minutes after it. The ticket desk sells on the day, and free tickets are desk only with ID.
How long does the Musée Picasso take?
Two hours for the three floors of the collection and the temporary exhibition. The third floor is stairs only while the lift is out. The ticket is one entry, no re-entry.
Can I bring a backpack?
No. Suitcases, travel bags and backpacks are refused at the door and the cloakroom does not take them. A handbag or small bag is fine; the cloakroom on level -1 is free for coats.
Is the Musée Picasso free?
For under-18s, for EU residents under 26 with ID, for Paris Museum Pass holders, and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month. Otherwise €16, or €12 per adult for one or two adults with a child.
Is there a tour of the Marais that fits around the museum?
Yes. Our half-day Paris walking tour runs a Marais route with a private guide for about three hours, start times from 9:00 to 18:00, through the medieval streets to the Place des Vosges. Book the museum for the slot before or after.
Our Most Popular Day Trips From Paris
Explore the Marais through its flavors! Sample French delicacies while strolling historic Jewish quarters and chic boutiques.
Half a day on foot with a private guide, routed around what you want to see.
