Hello everyone. I’m @owncolors50_jp a blogger based in Okinawa, Japan, focusing on travel and lifestyle.
Here are some tips and recommendations for those visiting Paris, France for the first time, based on my own experiences and what I found to be particularly enjoyable.
Last time, I’ve written an article about the best croissants to try in Paris, but this time, I’ll be introducing some museums.
Paris is home to numerous art spots, with iconic museums like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the Marais district in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris and visiting the Picasso Museum. Let’s take a look!
・Musée National Picasso, Paris
Musée National Picasso 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris
Reservations can be made online in advance. You can book your entry tickets in 30-minute time slots, and you will need to present the final QR code at the reception. The ticket price was €16.
・Exploring the Marais District
I walked from République station in the 10th arrondissement, but if you prefer the metro, the closest station is Saint-Sébastien – Froissart on Line 8, about a 7-8 minute walk away.
It was a cold yet sunny day, making the walk to the museum enjoyable. The daytime high was 12°C.
The Marais district is perfect for a stroll, with its numerous shops, historical buildings, fashion boutiques, and cafes. I highly recommend exploring this area. For more information about the Marais district, check out this article.
On the way, I discovered a Japanese-style massage salon. I wish I had more time to visit! It’s located very close to the Picasso Museum.
Maison Suisen 7 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris, France
・The Museum and Picasso
Standing in front of the museum, I was struck by the beauty of the building itself.
The Picasso Museum in Paris (Musée Picasso) is the world’s largest museum dedicated to the Spanish master Pablo Picasso. It is housed in the 17th-century Baroque-style Hôtel Salé in the Marais district. The museum showcases a vast collection of Picasso’s paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings, covering various phases of his prolific career.
Picasso was born in 1881 in eastern Spain but moved to Paris after getting married to continue his artistic pursuits. Throughout his life, he created an astonishing 150,000 pieces of artwork! Among his most famous works are “Guernica,” which depicts the horrors of war, and “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” renowned for its groundbreaking Cubist style.
Many of you might be familiar with Picasso from school textbooks (as I learned about him in Japanese schools). What impression do you have of Picasso? Do you see him as an artist with a distinctive style, or do his works seem enigmatic to you?
・Impressive Exhibits
Exhibits that convey Picasso’s sketching process and the stages of his work are also on display.
・The building features charming decorations and a café and garden, adding to its allure.
The museum also houses a café, where tables are set up on the terrace for visitors to take a break and relax. Both the café and the adjoining shop operate in accordance with the museum’s opening hours.
Since the museum wasn’t overly crowded, I could take my time and enjoy the exhibits at a leisurely pace.
・Le Marais
After leaving the museum, I walk through the city once again.
The streets are paved with cobblestones, and there are beautiful green parks where people are enjoying reading on benches, and children are playing on the grass. A relaxed atmosphere fills the air.
The Marais district is known for its diverse communities and international character, and it is especially recognized as an LGBT-friendly area.
・Summary
So, how did you find Picasso’s works?
In his early works, he painted pictures that were almost photographic, but his style evolved over time. From Cubism to Surrealism, it seems Picasso ultimately aimed to paint in a way that resembled a child’s drawings.
Currently, there is an exhibition called “LA COLLECTION. REVOIR PICASSO” running until March 12, 2027. If you are interested in art or want to learn more about Picasso, make sure to visit it when you come to Paris.
Picasso’s quote: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Do you remember the drawings you made as a child?
