PAISLEY PARK

A mythical place for all fans of Prince and music in general, just a twenty-five-minute drive from Minneapolis. Before the tragic death of the "Minneapolis Kid" in April 2016, Paisley Park served as both his recording studio and private residence; it was here that he spent most of his time. It was in 1985 that he had this gigantic square building built, with its white façade (and not purple, as might have been expected). Prince frequently organized mythical concerts and parties in Paisley Park, to which he invited everyone: friends, collaborators, Twin Cities residents... An official invitation was not necessary: word of mouth did its job, and when the rumor spread, thousands of people made the trip to Paisley Park, without any certainty of seeing the singer, but in an atmosphere that was always overexcited. Sometimes, he would arrive in the middle of the night and set Paisley Park alight until dawn, delighting his die-hard fans. Strongly inspired by Elvis Presley's Graceland, it was always Prince's ambition to turn Paisley Park into a museum, and during his lifetime, some of the rooms already displayed some of his costumes, records and awards. A visit to Paisley Park, which the star considered both his home and his spiritual center, is truly awe-inspiring. Certain rooms, such as his study, have remained frozen in time, giving us the feeling of entering his private world: a suitcase left in a corner, a few notebooks on a desk, everyday objects that have not been moved since his death. On the left in the hall, we can see the elevator in which he was found unconscious before being taken to hospital. Paisley Park is also a mausoleum, as the urn containing Prince's ashes, after being on display in the lobby for a time, is now in the basement vault, which unfortunately cannot be visited. The urn takes the shape of Paisley Park, naturally, and features the famous Love Symbol. The private apartments upstairs are not accessible either. Photos and videos are strictly forbidden and, on entry, your cell phone will be placed in a locked pouch. The guides leading the tours are passionate volunteers who know a wealth of anecdotes about Paisley Park and Prince. A captivating tour.