The Musée Picasso. Built on the ruins of the 12th century Roman castle (the donjon was nicknamed “Sarrasin tour”), the château was
greatly altered during the Renaissance. It has been in its time a feudal dwelling, an archbishops quarters, a royal house of the Grimaldi family then
a Royal Governors residence when the city was bought by Henri the IV in 1608.
After the French Revolution it was taken siege by the army then left to dilapidate slowly after the 2nd World War. It was saved from ruin and
restored thanks to a local personality, M. Dor de la Souchère. He transformed the château into an archaeological museum and offered his
friend, Pablo Picasso, staying in Golfe-Juan at the time, to set up his workshop in one of the rooms on the second floor in the château. The Master graciously
accepted his offer. Throughout a full season Picasso painted many large canvases, exploding with joy and vivid imagination such as the famous work
“La Joie de Vivre”, now a symbol of his stay in Antibes.
The château was re-named the Musée Picasso in 1966 thanks to a large donation of his works by the artist, including paintings, lithographs,
drawings done in the château, works from the Vollard collection from the 30’s and ceramics created in Vallauris between 1948 and 1949. In
addition works of Léger, Nicholas de Staël, Germaine Richier, Hans Hartung, Picabia, Anna-Eva Bergman and Arman are also exhibited.
Today, the whole building, classified as a historic monument belongs to the city of Antibes. It reopened in the summer of 2008, after 2 years of restoration.
Opened all year round
September 16th to June 14th: from 10 a.m to 12 a.m and from 2 p.m to 6 p.m.
June 15th to September 15th : from 10 am to 6 pm
Closed on Mondays and on the 1st of January, 1st of May, 1st of November and
25th of December
Full price: around 7 euros / reduced price: around 3,5 euros (on presentation of a document in proof)
