ART
& CULTURE
Museums
in the Riviera:
There are dozens
of museums to visit on the Cote d'Azur and the hinterland reflecting
its rich cultural heritage. Many famous painters past and present
have their works exhibited here but also featured are museums which
reflect the maritime traditions of the area such as the the Naval
and Napoleonic Museum in Antibes and the Naval Museum in Nice. There
are other museums which cater for special interests. Grasse has
been long famous for its perfumes and there are two museums that
are dedicated to these fragrances.
Museum Cards
Click here for
more information about Côte d'Azur Museums Card - French Riviera
Museum Pass
Thiese new cards allow prepaid entry into the museums of the Côte
d'Azur and can be purchased any time during the year, and become
active the first time they are used. They're accepted in 58 museums
and monuments, roughly between Cannes and the Italian border, including
Antibes, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Nice, Blausasc, Eze, Le Cannet, La Trinité,
Levens, Mougins, Saorge, Vallauris and the Vallée des Merveilles.
A card is for one named person only, and good for an unlimited number
of visits during its time period. The cards are available from museums,
monuments and Offices de Tourismes.
Carte-Pass Museums of Nice
This card allow prepaid entry into the museums of the Nice. This
card is valid for 7 days, from the date of purchase.
Reductions
There are no reductions for the museum cards. Some museums have
reductions (for kids or senior citizens) that apply to normal entry.
Reductions, if any, apply to everybody, regardless of nationality.
For more information, contact the Intermusé:
Phone +33(0)493 52 33 25.
Picasso Museum
City: Antibes Juan Les Pins
Address: Rues des Remparts - Antibes Juan Les Pins
Phone: +33(0)492 90 54 20
Fax: +33(0)492 90 54 21
Description: The artist spent several months in the Château
Grimaldi, where he created numerous works. The images painted here
all express the joy of living in a country that has regained its
freedom.
Opening Hours: 1st June 30th September, open 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. 1st October to 31st May, open 10 a.m. to noon - Closed Mondays
and public holidays
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Guided tours.
Website
Greek Villa
”Kérylos"
City: Beaulieu sur Mer
Address: Impasse Eiffel - Beaulieu sur Mer
Phone: +33(0)493 01 01 44
Fax: +33(0)493 01 61 70
Description: A reconstitution of an Antique Greek villa, the tastefully
furnished Villa Kérylos overlooks the Baie des Fourmis at
the entrance to Cap Ferrat. Institut de France - Théodore
Reinach Foundation.
Opening Hours: Open year round, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Guided tours. Foreign languages spoken: English, Italian, German, Greek.
National
Fernand Léger Museum
City: Biot
Address: Chemin du Val de Pôme - Biot
Phone: +33(0)492 91 50 30
Fax: +33(0)492 91 50 31
Description: Home to a unique collection of works by this great
master of contemporary art : of particular interest, numerous polychrome
works.
Opening Hours: Open year round, every day except Tuesday, 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Guided tours. Foreign languages spoken: English, Spanish.
Renoir Museum
City: Cagnes sur Mer
Address: Avenue des Colettes - Cagnes sur Mer
Phone: +33(0)493 20 61 07
Fax: +33(0)493 73 09 20
Description: On Renoir's family estate, this museum contains furnishings,
personal belongings, sculptures and 11 canvasses by the master,
surrounded by a magnificent park with olive-trees several hundred
years old.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Tours with commentaries
on Sundays at 2.30 p.m.
Town Hall
- Local Museum of History
City: Frejus
Address: Iimm Maria 153 r Jean Jaurès
Phone: +33(0)494 51 64 01
Museum of
the Troops of Navy
City: Frejus
Address: 21 Route Bagnols
Phone: +33(0)494 40 81 75
International
Perfumery Museum
City: Grasse
Address: 8, Place du Cours - Grasse
Phone: +33(0)493 36 80 20
Fax: +33(0)493 36 44 73
Description: The history of perfume from A to Z, all about the Capital
of the Perfume Industry (collection of flacons, perfume-making workshops,
mini greenhouse where specimens of aromatic plants are cultivated).
Opening Hours: Open every day : in summer, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Access: Guided tours. Foreign languages spoken: English, Italian,
German, Spanish.
Jean-Honoré
Fragonard Museum
City: Grasse
Address: 23, Boulevard Fragonard - Grasse
Phone: +33(0)493 36 01 61
Fax: +33(0)493 36 44 73
Description: This private mansion is dedicated to many major works
by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Temporary exhibitions also held.
Access: Guided tours. Foreign languages spoken: English, Italian,
German, Spanish.
Museum of
Provençal Costumes and Jewelry
City: Grasse
Address: 2, Rue Jean Ossola - Grasse
Phone: +33(0)493 36 44 65
Fax: +33(0)493 36 57 32
Description: Collection of Provençal objects and antique
jewelry.
Opening Hours: Open April to October, daily, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and
2-6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Foreign language spoken:
English.
Jean Cocteau
Museum
City: Menton
Address: 2, Quai Napoleon III - Menton
Phone: +33(0)493 57 72 30
Fax: +33(0)493 57 72 30
Description: Collection of pastels and other works donated by artists,
Cocteau's friends. The museum also contains the preliminary sketches
made by Cocteau for his decoration of the registry office at the
Town-hall.
Opening Hours: Open year round, every day except Tuesday and national
holidays, 10-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome.
Automobile
Museum
City: Mougins
Address: Autoroute A8 - Mougins
Phone: +33(0)493 69 27 80
Fax: +33(0)493 46 01 36
Description: Very fine collection of cars, both old and new, assembled
by Adrien Maeght.
Opening Hours: 10-12 a.m. / 2-6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome.
Website
Alexis and
Gustav-Adolph Mossa Museum
City: Nice
Address: 59, Quai des Etats-Unis - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 62 37 11
Description: Inventor of the floats for Nice's Carnival, Alexis
Mossa and his son were past-masters in the art of form and color.
This museum is devoted to their most important works.
Opening Hours: Open year round, every day, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Late
night Fridays, until 10 p.m.
Anatole Jakovsky
International Museum of Naive Art
City: Nice
Address: Avenue Val Marie - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 71 78 33
Fax: +33(0)493 72 34 10
Description: Wide-ranging collection of naive artworks (sculptures,
paintings, models) collected by the Jakovsky family.
Opening Hours: Open year round, every day except Tuesday.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome.
Art and History
Museum (Palais Masséna)
City: Nice
Address: 65, Rue de France - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 88 11 34
Description: The entire history of the Town and County of Nice can
be traced in this palace, inspired by an Italian villa dating back
to the First Empire. Many different collections on display : Nice's
"primitive" painters, religious sculptures, 16th- 19th
century ceramics.
Opening Hours: Open 10-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Dufy Museum
(Galerie des Ponchettes)
City: Nice
Address: 77, Quai des Etats-Unis - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 62 31 24
Description: The Galerie des Ponchettes, where Matisse held his
first exhibition in Nice, hosts temporary exhibits of work by contemporary
artists.
Opening Hours: Visits : Museum : 10-12 a.m. / 3-6 p.m. Church :
8.30-12.30 a.m. / 2.30-6.30 p.m.
Fine Arts
Museum
City: Nice
Name Fine Arts Museum
Type Museum & Gallery
Address: 33, Avenue des Beaumettes - Nice
Phone: +33(0)492 15 28 28
Fax: +33(0)493 97 67 07
Description: Vast collections of paintings from the 17th century
(especially Italian), 18th C. : Romanticism, Realism, Orientalism,
Symbolism, Impressionism : Degas, Boudin, Sisley…
Opening Hours: Open year round. From October 1st to March 31st :
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. From April 1st to September 30th
: 10-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome.
Franciscan
Museum, Cimiez
City: Nice
Address: Place du Monastère - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 81 00 04
Opening Hours: Open year round. July to September : 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. October to June : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Marc Chagall
Museum
City: Nice
Address: Avenue du Docteur Ménard - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 53 87 20
Fax: +33(0)493 53 87 39
Description: In this museum entirely devoted to Chagall, visitors
will find the 17 "Biblical Message" paintings and many
other works inspired by the Bible.
Opening Hours: Open 10-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Guided tours.
Website
Matisse Museum
City: Nice
Address: 164, Avenue des Arènes - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 53 40 53
Fax: +33(0)493 53 00 22
Description: Beautiful building in flamboyant colors, home to a
varied collection of Matisse's work (stained-glass windows, paintings,
ceramics etc.).
Opening Hours: Open year round, every day, 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Foreign languages spoken: English, Italian, German.
Website
Museum and
Archaeological site of Cimiez
City: Nice
Address: 160, Avenue des Arènes - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 81 59 57
Fax: +33(0)493 81 08 00
Description: Built on the site of the former Roman town, this museum
contains precious archaeological collections. Outside, visit the
ruins of the thermal spa (3rd century) and baptistery (5th century).
Opening Hours: Open year round. 10-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Access: Guided tours by request. Foreign language spoken : Italian.
Museum of
Modern and Contemporary Art
City: Nice
Address: Promenade des Arts - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 13 90 90
Fax: +33(0)493 62 19 46
Description: A temple to contemporary art and a showcase for the
"School of Nice", this museum, inaugurated in 1990 and
known as the "MAMAC", presents all the trends from the
'sixties and 'seventies to the New Realists, Pop Art and American
Abstract Painting : Roy Liechtenstein, Andy Warhol, George Segal
and, of course, Yves Klein.
Opening Hours: Open 10-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Guided tours.
Website
Palais Lascaris
City: Nice
Address: 15, Rue Droite - Nice
Phone: +33(0)493 62 05 54
Description: In a fine aristocratic residence built for Jean-Baptiste
Lascaris-Vintimille, this museum houses an impressive collection
of Genoese baroque art (17th and 18th century).
Opening Hours: Open year round, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Access: Guided tours. Foreign languages spoken: English, Italian,
German.
Ephrussi
de Rothschild Museum
City: Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
Address: Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
Phone: +33(0)493 01 33 09
Fax: +33(0)493 01 31 10
Description: Overlooking the sea on both sides, the Ephrussi de
Rothschild villa and gardens comprise a really amazing architectural
whole. Very beautiful collection of furniture and porcelain (18th-C.).
The gardens are laid out on seven different themes.
Opening Hours: Open daily, all year round.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome. Foreign language spoken:
English.
Maeght Foundation
City: Saint Paul de Vence
Address: Montée des Trious - Saint Paul de Vence
Phone: +33(0)493 32 81 63
Fax: +33(0)493 32 53 22
Description: Inaugurated in 1964, the Maeght Foundation is a hymn
to contemporary art with works by Calder, Braque, Miro, Ernst…
Very lovely garden containing an equally fine collection of sculptures.
Opening Hours: Open October 1st to June 30th : 10-12.30 a.m. and
2.30-6 p.m. July 1st to September 30th : 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Access: Permanent exhibition. Temporary exhibits.
The Annonciade
Museum
City: Saint Tropez
Address: Place Georges Grammont, facing the corner of the old port.
Phone: +33(0)494 97 04 01
Fax: +33(0)494 97 87 24
Description: The Annonciade Museum is an extremely brilliant reminder
that the village of Saint-Tropez was one of the most active centres
of the pictorial avant-garde of the beginning of the 20th century.
An excellent collection of paintings from the period of 1890 to
1950, located in the former 16th-century Chapel de Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciade.
The original collections, in 1922, were mainly from artists working
locally at that time. The old chapel had been shut down during the
Revolution; the building was restored and turned into a museum in
1955.
Opening Hours: Every day except Tuesday.
La Citadelle
- Naval Museum of the Citadel
City: Saint Tropez
Address: Quart Citadelle - on the hilltop east of the town.
Phone: +33(0)494 97 59 43
Fax: +33(0)494 97 06 53
Description: The citadel is a walled fortress sitting on the hilltop
overlooking the town and the surrounding gulf and sea. It was built
at the end of the 16th century, and its central donjon completed
in 1607. The local, independent-minded population protested strongly
enough that the citadel was torn down, but it was rebuilt in spite
of their continued protests in 1652. The thick walls have guarded
over St Tropez for 400 years, and was the most important coastal
defense between Antibes and Toulon. The museum is located in several
rooms of the donjon in the center of the citadel.
The House
of Butterflies
City: Saint Tropez
Address: 9, Rue Etienne Berry
Phone: +33(0)494 97 63 45
Fax: +33(0)494 97 14 96
Description: In the middle of a typically tropezian lane a small
door opens onto a fabulous collection of butterflies. Inside this
antique house, you will find a selection of all the day butterflies
of France which have been collected by Dany Lartigue over the past
ten years.
Opening Hours: every day except Tuesday from 1st of June to 31st
of August: 10-12 and 14-19. From 1st September to 31st May: 10-12
and 14-18.
Access: Guided tours by appointment.
Website
Museum of
Marvels
City: Tende
Address: Avenue du 16 Septembre 1947 - Tende
Phone: +33(0)493 04 32 50
Description: The "Museum of Marvels" invites you on a
fascinating trip back in time to the prehistoric heart of the Mercantour
Park with some 30,000 rock engravings in the Valley of Marvels.
Access: Guided tours in Italian. Reception service in English and
Italian.
Museum of
Arts and Popular Traditions - Abbey of Valbonne
City: Valbonne
Address: Rue Paroisse
Phone: +33(0)493 12 96 54
Museum of
the Squared Tower
City: Sainte Maxime
Address: Place Aliziers
Phone: +33(0)494 96 70 30
Château-Museum:
National Picasso Museum and Magnelli Museum, Ceramics Museum
City: Vallauris Golfe Juan
Address: Place de la Libération - Vallauris Golfe Juan
Phone: +33(0)493 64 16 05
Description: Housed in a 16th-century castle, this museum has an
important collection of pre-Colombian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco
pieces, plus superb engravings by Picasso and abstract paintings
by Alberto Magnelli. In the 13th-C. Romanesque chapel, you'll find
Picasso's monumental composition "War and Peace" (125
m2).
Opening Hours: Open July 1st to August 31st : 10-12.30 a.m. September
1st to June 30th : 10-12 a.m., 2-6 p.m.
Access: Guided tours by appointment. Foreign languages spoken:
English, Italian, German, Spanish.
Pottery Museum
City: Vallauris Golfe Juan
Address: Rue Sicard - Vallauris Golfe Juan
Phone: +33(0)493 64 66 51
Fax: +33(0)493 64 93 46
Galerie Beaubourg
City: Vence
Address: Vence
Phone: +33(0)493 24 52 00
Fax: +33(0)493 24 52 19
Description: Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. In its terraced
gardens, the gallery also boasts a collection of sculptures (Arman,
César, Sosno etc…).
Opening Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Access: Private visitors and groups welcome.
The "Lacordaire"
House and the Matisse Chapel
City: Vence
Address: 466, Avenue Henri Matisse - Vence
Phone: +33(0)4 93 58 03 26
Fax: +33 (0)493 58 21 10
Description: The chapel of our Lady of Rosary, bathed with light,
realised by Henri Matisse, invites you to contemplate, meditate
and to pray individually or with the community. From the Chapel,
a second room is available for the exposition of the work necessary
for its implementation. Drawings, lithography, chasubles, models...
Access to the Chapel : Monday : from 2 to 5.30 pm - Tuesday : from
10.00 to 11.30 am and from 2.00 to 5.30 pm - Wednesday : from 2
to 5.30 pm - Thursday : from 10.00 to 11.30 am and from 2.00 to
5.30 pm - Friday : from 2 to 5.30 pm (only during vacation time)
- Saturday : from 2 to 5.30 pm - Sunday : Mass at 10 am, visit at
10.45 am.
Website
Volti Museum
City: Villefranche sur Mer
Address: Villefranche sur Mer
Phone: +33(0)493 76 33 27
Fax: +33(0)493 76 33 28
Description: Museum dedicated to the Italian sculptor Volti whose
work is a hymn to Woman : bronze and terra-cotta sculptures, sketches,
drawings in red chalk.
Opening Hours: Open year round.
Access: Guided tours by appointment.
Town Hall - Citadel Museums
City: Villefranche sur Mer
Address: Citadelle 06230
Phone: +33(0)493 76 33 27
