Picasso's studio in Vallauris with model Sylvette David

A painting of a woman standing next to a horse

Musee Picasso (Chateau Grimaldi)

National museum in honour of Picasso in a beautiful medieval castle

featured in Sights & sites

The Picasso museum is housed in the Chateau Grimaldi in the centre of the town of Vallauris. The chateau was built over a Roman fort in the 16th century.

Picasso lived in Vallauris from 1948 until his death in 1955. He created many works here and was instrumental in the revival of the pottery industry and arts movement of the area. Following Picasso's success the building where he had once rented a room later became a museum dedicated to him which houses 300 of his paintings.

There are also pieces by artists Léger, Miró, Chillida, Klein, Modigliani, Picabia and Calder, among many others.

The castle, on the other hand, has its origins in the 14th century, when the Grimaldi family lived here. Turned into a town hall in 1792, it was bought by the town of Antibes in 1925. Picasso used one of its rooms as a workshop, where he made paintings and drawings, many of which he gifted to the town of Antibes.

Worth knowing

The museum is named after his work entitled 'War and Peace'. It is the last major political composition produced by Pablo Picasso. Completed in 1952 it was permanently installed in the Chapel in 1954, and then donated by the artist in 1956 to the French State, which established the Chapel as a national museum.

Watch out for

As with most museums, shops and smaller galleries in France, they shut at lunch time! Beware!

Visitor comments

"Imagine an antique fortress nested in the old village of Antibes. Take the access ramp, and enter the intimate Musée Picasso. It offers that perfect mix of historic beauty with modern art, the one resonating, echoing and enhancing the other. Because the city and the area have so much to offer, this 'little' museum will not require your whole day - it is an easy and rather rapid visit... but you can of course take plenty of time to wander, admire the art (include temporary exhibitions), and dream from the terrace of the chateau while admiring the sea, the ballet of the boats and the nearby coast." - Trip Advisor
"The new Picasso museum deserves to be visited. Nice building, from the ground up to the third floor where the woodwork can be seen. Art collection well enhanced. Two hours there, time has flown... We strongly recommend the visit." - Trip Advisor
"Would highly recommend this museum. Many works and changing displays. Affordable entry charges for young and old. Expand your mind a little in a beautiful building." - Trip Advisor

When to come

The museum is open every day except Tuesdays, but hours vary depending on the season:
Winter: 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:30
Summer: 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 (In July & August it stays open until 20:00 on Wednesdays & Fridays)