After five long years, we can finally enjoy the Picasso Museum. From the very first day, hundreds of visitors lined up in front of Hotel Salé, to admire the most impressive Picasso’s collection. The magnificent building, erected in the 17th century was originally the mansion of a rich farmer, whose fortune came from the salt tax. After the Revolution, the Marais was left empty and in ruins. Le Corbusier, a french architect, had a wacky project : wiping out the place to build a dozen of skyscrapers, thankfully he did not.

In 1985, Hotel Salé, remodeled by Roland Simounet became a museum and received the collection of 5000 pieces. The ancient stairs remain the column, in the original spirit of the mansion. Now this second transformation, by Jean-François Bodin modernize and add 13 new rooms. Unfortunately it’s still recommended to book in advance to enjoy this peerless collection.

Other mansions are to notice in the area. The Institut Suédois, rue Payenne, is famous for his terrace in a quiet courtyard. Also Musée Carnavalet, a free museum to learn about Paris and the French Revolution. More extravagant, the brand Uniqlo choose to settle rue des Francs-Bourgeois in an ancient gold recycling company. If you’d like to relax in a park, search for the Archives Nationales or the garden inside Hotel Sully by place des Vosges. Absolutely gorgeous !