In the footsteps of Picasso: where to buy in Spain and France

Pablo Picasso died 50 years ago, at the age of 91. Spain and France, the two countries in which the artist spent the majority of his long and productive life, have been hosting a series of exhibitions, events and initiatives throughout the year to celebrate his extraordinary legacy. But what of the places that inspired Picasso most?

The artist who famously said he would like to “live as a poor man with lots of money” gravitated to some of the most beautiful areas of the Mediterranean and lived in a handful of exquisite homes. While his footprint is celebrated in each, they are all popular locations for international buyers, too.

In recent years, the city of Málaga, where Picasso was born, has become a popular cultural and business hub. From the winding streets and tapas bars of its historic centre to the contemporary shopping and dining at the new Muelle Uno, the gateway to the Costa del Sol has much to offer. Add to this its city beaches and international schools and it’s easy to see why 35% of buyers there are foreign nationals.

According to José Félix Pérez-Peña, head of Savills Andalusia, the average price of new multi-family housing in the city stands at €3,969 per square metre, 18% higher than in 2022, yet still significantly more affordable than Barcelona or Madrid. In the central district – including Plaza de la Merced, where Picasso was born in 1881, at number 15 – apartments start at €5,847 per square metre, rising to €13,000 in the city’s most exclusive properties.

In 1895, Picasso moved to Barcelona, a city more visibly associated with architect Antoni Gaudí. It is now a magnet for entrepreneurs, digital nomads and investors looking to spend longer there – including “golden visa” buyers, who are granted residency in exchange for spending €500,000 or more on a property. Hosting the America’s Cup in 2024, Barcelona is experiencing an uptick in interest from clients in the United States, says Pablo Balea, head of residential, Savills Barcelona.

According to Balea, prime new apartments cost €10,000-€11,000 per square metre. In the ever-popular Eixample area, you can find a historic two-bedroom apartment at €600,000-€700,000.

After brief sojourns in the Catalan village of Horta and then Madrid, in 1900 Picasso moved to Paris, where he spent much of the first half of the 20th century producing many of his most celebrated works. From 1946 onwards, he moved to the south of France, and left his imprint in Antibes, Cannes, the ceramics town of Vallauris and Mougins. “Attracted by the light, the sea, the parties and the people, he loved the carefree environment,” says Alex Balkin, executive director of Savills French Riviera. “Its quality of life, the gastronomy and sunshine ensure it remains an attractive and stable place for homebuyers.”

An influx of American homeowners has also been a feature of Cannes, where prime apartments can sell for €10,000-€40,000 per square metre, says Balkin. Meanwhile, a two-bedroom pied-à-terre can be yours for around €1m. If the traditional market and charm of the old town of Antibes are more your style, you can find an apartment for €600,000-€700,000 near Château Grimaldi, now the Musée Picasso, where the artist painted and partied.

Purchased at the height of his fame, Picasso’s final home in Mougins was a three-hectare estate surrounded by olive trees, now named Château de Vie. He called his 35-room home “the house of my dreams”. One of the finest estates on the Côte d’Azur, it is to become an international art centre, having been purchased for €20m in 2017.

Mougins, a 25-minute drive from Nice airport and close to the bright lights of Cannes, is popular for international families for its schools and all-round convenience. A stone detached house with a swimming pool costs around €3m. “Offering the appeal of the hinterland yet enjoying a bit of a sea view, Mougins has the best of both worlds,” says Balkin. Picasso clearly thought the same.

Pictures from top: Mougins in the south of France; Picasso at work in Vallauris in 1948 (Alamy); the Picasso Museum (formerly Château Grimaldi) in the old town of Antibes (Alamy); and the Picasso Museum in Málaga (Alamy)