The largest public collection of the works of Pablo Picasso
The Hôtel Salé, a 17th-century mansion listed as a historical monument, was fully renovated on a turnkey basis by Eiffage Construction and its specialist subsidiary Pradeau Morin.
Under the direction of the Bodin et associés architectural firm and Stéphane Thouin, chief architect of historical monuments, 70 craftsmen and a dozen engineers carried out the in-depth restructuring of the building over a period of two and a half years. Since 1985, it has housed the largest public collection of works by the artist and sculptor Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
Enlarging the space
While the old museum was cramped and no longer met safety standards, the new premises are spacious and majestic, accentuated by the whiteness of the walls and the omnipresent natural light.
With new layouts and the creation of new basement spaces, the number of exhibition rooms for the permanent collections was tripled.
The public can also explore the entire attic floor, with its large Baroque roof timbers, the 17th-century panelled room (listed as a historical monument) and the rooms on the second floor, which used to be private.
Precise, meticulous work
The total surface area accessible to the public was increased from 1,600 m² to 3,800 m². The Eiffage Construction teams carried out a meticulous, precise and refined renovation, respecting the historical building traditions.
Stonemasons, masons, carpenters, locksmiths and wrought iron craftsmen from Pradeau Morin all worked on the site. Wrought-iron craftsmen have restored the banisters of the main staircase, and the ceilings and interiors of this staircase with its period mouldings were also renovated.
Age-old expertise
To restore the frescoes, stone stucco was chosen because of its workability and resemblance to the original stone. This project demonstrates the expertise of the Eiffage Group's construction division in the restoration of historical monuments: Pradeau Morin is its trump card when it comes to renovating our historical heritage.
With 120 years of experience, the company is qualified not only to restore façades, but also to carry out structural work and masonry work on historical monuments.