Musee national Picasso (Picasso Museum), Paris

In 1659, a private mansion was erected in the charming neighborhood of Marais, originally intended for a salt-tax farmer. Today, it is hailed as the most remarkable historical residence in the entire district, embodying the fusion of Italian Baroque and neoclassical elements, commonly referred to as the "Mazarin" style. Adorned with intricately sculpted cupids and sphinxes, lavish stucco and stone embellishments, Corinthian pilasters and a grand central staircase, the edifice exudes an air of refined aesthetics, beckoning visitors to ascend its steps.

The City of Paris acquired the mansion in 1968, deeming it worthy not only of preservation, but also of a meticulous transformation, whereby a modernist internal structure ingeniously utilizes ramps and mezzanines to create a diverse array of spaces – a fitting backdrop for the museum's extensive collection. With over 5,000 works of art encompassing paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, prints, engravings, and personal notebooks, this treasure trove offers a captivating exploration of the legacy of Picasso-the revered pioneer of Modernism. Additionally, the mansion preserves tens of thousands of invaluable archival pieces from the artist's personal repository, including an extensive photographic archive, intimate personal papers, correspondence, and manuscripts.

Immerse yourself in these, and when you emerge, filled with newfound inspiration, let the enchantment of the mansion's confines guide you as you venture further into the labyrinthine laneways of Marais, ready to uncover even more hidden gems.