Hotel Salé, a mansion financed by the salt tax
The Hôtel Salé is a private mansion with a rather unique history: it was actually built using revenue from the salt tax, but this is not where the story stops!
It all began with Pierre Aubert, Lord of Fontenay, who was then charged with collecting the royal salt tax. Between 1632 and 1656, Aubert abused his position and embezzled some of these funds, amassing a considerable fortune that he used to finance his lavish lifestyle as well as the construction of a grand private mansion in the Marais district.
The Hôtel de Fontenay was completed in 1659 and quickly nicknamed “Hôtel Salé” because of the dubious origins of its owner’s fortune. That said, Aubert only enjoyed his wealth until 1663, when he was brought to court for embezzlement. He was completely ruined, and his mansion was seized.
The Hôtel Salé had several owners and underwent numerous transformations and renovations over time to adapt to its evolving functions, from being a private residence to housing various institutions.
It was saved from ruin in the 1960s when André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, designated the Marais district a protected area to safeguard its unparalleled architectural and cultural heritage. So, like many other private mansions, the Hôtel Salé was classified as a historical monument.
Hôtel Salé, home to the Picasso Museum
The Hôtel Salé is considered one of the jewels of the Marais district.
The City of Paris acquired it in 1964 and, throughout the 1970s and 1980s, undertook an ambitious restoration project to restore it to its former glory. The renowned architect Roland Simounet was commissioned to oversee the interior renovations, meticulously preserving the architectural integrity of the private mansion while adapting the space to showcase the extraordinary Picasso collections.
The celebrated artist Alberto Giacometti made a significant contribution to the museum’s atmosphere by designing a multitude of bespoke furnishings, including chandeliers, benches, chairs, and tables.
Thus, on September 28, 1985, the Musée Picasso opened its doors to the public, offering visitors a journey of discovery into the life and work of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Picasso Museum
Pablo Picasso died in 1973, leaving behind an immeasurable artistic legacy of approximately 40,000 pieces, including his own creations and those of his illustrious colleagues such as Braque, Miró, Matisse, and Derain.
Keen to honour his memory, his heirs generously bequeathed numerous pieces to the Musée Picasso, thus enriching its collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other works. Several works, initially intended for the Louvre Museum were ultimately brought together at the Hôtel Salé, thanks to the efforts of Picasso’s friends.
In 1990, his wife, Jacqueline Roque, further enriched the museum’s collections with a significant bequest of artworks. As a result, the Hôtel Salé underwent significant expansion and renovation in 2013/14, tripling its exhibition space to house the majority of Picasso’s work.
A Must Visit when in Paris!
Directions: 3rd district – 5 rue de Thorigny
Coordinates: Lat 48.860146 – Long 2.362264
