European Heritage Days 2026: a visit to the Picasso Museum in Paris

The Picasso Museum opens its doors to visitors for free for a weekend, as part of Heritage Days: a can't-miss opportunity on September 19 and 20, 2026.

Paris is a true paradise for art lovers, with its (many) museums offering year-round access to masterpieces of art history, paintings, sculptures and photographs by the world's greatest artists... Monet, Rodin, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Delacroix, Matisse, Cartier-Bresson, Rembrandt, Morisot, Klimt... Not forgetting, of course, Pablo Picasso.

The latter even had an entire museum dedicated to his art and career, in the Marais district of Paris. The Musée National Picasso-Paris pays tribute to this genius of painting, and regularly organizes exhibitions on a variety of themes to help visitors discover his artistic legacy.

The museum also takes part in the capital's major cultural events, such as the Journées du Patrimoine. The Journées du Patrimoine (JEP for those in the know) is a not-to-be-missed event on the Parisian calendar. A great celebration of culture andhistory, with visits and events at France's most important sites. Museums, religious buildings, places of power, department stores, railway stations, theaters and gardens all take part in these open days, which appeal to all publics.

So mark your calendars for September 19 and 20, 2026, for the new edition of Heritage Days, offering free admission to the Picasso Museum. A deal not to be missed!

What’s on for these Heritage Days at the Picasso Museum in Paris:

Guided tour: From the Hôtel Salé to the Picasso Museum
Built at the end of the 17th century for Pierre Aubert de Fontenay, a prominent financier, the Hôtel Salé later housed an embassy, the École Centrale, and a circus before becoming the Picasso National Museum. Accompanied by a guide, discover the splendor of the grand staircase, the Baroque décor of the Jupiter salon, and the openings and transparencies designed by Roland Simounet, the architect who embraced the challenge of turning the townhouse into a museum.

From its construction in the heart of the Marais to its latest renovation led by architect Jean-François Bodin, come explore, between courtyard and garden, the tumultuous history of Hôtel Salé, one of Paris’s most emblematic private mansions.
Participation conditions: Limited to 20 participants. On-site registration starts thirty minutes before the tour begins. - Free | Reservation required - https://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr/
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 11:00 ⤏ 12:00, 14:00 ⤏ 15:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 11:00 ⤏ 12:00, 14:00 ⤏ 15:00
Guided tour of the Picasso Study Centre
Come and discover the Picasso Study Centre, inaugurated in 2025 in the outbuildings of the Hôtel de Rohan. This visit offers a rare chance to explore a facility dedicated to the study of Pablo Picasso’s work, normally reserved for researchers, and to observe, alongside the museum’s scientific staff, the research library, documentation, and archives brought out specifically from the reserves.
Participation conditions: Meet us at 1, Rue des Quatre-Fils, 75003 Paris – Free admission | Booking required - https://form.jotform.com/261974312255357
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM

Are you a real museum rat? Here's a list of all the museums in Paris and the Île-de-France region that will be welcoming you during the Journées du Patrimoine.

Heritage Days 2026: Paris museums and art foundations across Île-de-France
During the 2026 Heritage Days, numerous museums and art foundations open their doors for free in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Mark your calendars for Saturday, 19 September and Sunday, 20 September 2026 to enjoy a program rich with exciting discoveries. [Read more]