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Museums

Musée d'Art Moderne de Céret

4.5 · 2,334 reviews
Intellectual and serene
Musée d'Art Moderne de Céret, 8 Bd Maréchal Joffre, 66400 Céret, France
Interesting facts
1

The museum holds a specific 'Bullfighting' series of ceramics by Pablo Picasso, inspired by his time in the town.

2

Céret was known as the 'Mecca of Cubism' between 1911 and 1914 due to the presence of Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso.

3

The museum's 2022 expansion was built to house the massive collection of works donated by the sculptor Frank Burty Haviland.

4

The site includes a collection of music-themed art, reflecting the town's history as a hub for Catalan musicians.

5

The museum building features a restored 17th-century cell block from the town’s former prison.

Overview

The Musée d'Art Moderne de Céret is world-renowned for its historic connection to the Cubist movement, having hosted artists like Picasso, Braque, and Gris during the early 20th century. The museum’s collection features extensive holdings by Pablo Picasso, who lived in Céret in 1913, including his notable ceramic works and paintings. It also maintains significant archives and works from artists of the School of Paris, such as Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Joan Miró. The original building was a former prison before its transformation into a museum in 1950. A major contemporary extension, designed by architect Pierre-Alain Croset, was completed in 2022, doubling the exhibition space. The facility integrates light-filled modern galleries with the historic structure. It is located in the French Pyrenees, a region that became a cultural refuge for avant-garde artists during the World Wars. The museum frequently organizes thematic retrospectives that explore the interaction between local landscape and modern artistic development.

Photo spot

The minimalist, white-walled architectural transition area between the old prison wing and the new 2022 glass-fronted extension.

Insider tips

Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby historic town center to see the sites where Picasso actually painted.

Check the official website for rotating temporary exhibitions, as the permanent collection is often rearranged to match these themes.

What to avoid

Do not overlook the modern extension; many visitors stay only in the historic section and miss the newer, larger galleries.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays. Open daily during the peak summer months.

Etiquette

Photography without flash is permitted for personal use, but tripod usage requires prior authorization.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Late spring or early autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds than the summer tourist season.
Address
Musée d'Art Moderne de Céret, 8 Bd Maréchal Joffre, 66400 Céret, France
42.486, 2.749
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsPicasso's ceramic collections and works by the School of Paris

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Late spring or early autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds than the summer tourist season..

The minimalist, white-walled architectural transition area between the old prison wing and the new 2022 glass-fronted extension.

Close by you'll find Pont du Diable, Canyon Cascades de Baoussous, Museum of Musical Instruments.