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Bucket list experience:

Exterior of grand, red-brick museum on a sunny day
Last updated: 04 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

World-renowned French artists Henri Matisse, like Picasso, is credited with revolutionising the visual arts in the 20th century. Many of his best works were painted at the turn of the 20th century, using his unique blend of intense colour, flattened form and decorative pattern.

Set in a grand 17th-century Genoese mansion, Nice’s Matisse Museum opened in 1963, containing works that Matisse left to his adopted city, where he lived from 1917 to 1954.

It isn’t focused heavily on his most famous works – instead, you’ll see how the artist’s style evolved over the years: touching on his bold, colourful paintings, gouache cut-outs, drawings, prints, and 57 sculptures (nearly all of his output). Steps lead down to the modern wing, built atop the city’s Roman ruins.

While you’re there

Make an afternoon of it and explore the wider leafy Cimiez district, with its Roman ruins, monastery and Mark Chagall Museum. There’s a lovely park right outside, perfect for a picnic while watching locals play petanque.

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Price from: £8
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

If you are using public transport, it’s a half-hour walk from the train station, or take city bus No 17 (or 15, 20, 22 and 25) to the Les Arenes-Musee Matisse stop.

There is an app audio guide you can access from the website – but only in French. The website does, however, have a nice section on the museum’s highlights – the ‘Essential Works’  – worth a read before you go.

If you’re visiting a few art museums in Nice, it’s worth buying the French Riviera Pass, which gets you into several for free.

When to do it

The museum is open all year round, Wednesday to Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Palais Saleya

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[2.6 miles]

Contemporary suites and apartments set in an attractive 18th-century building, in a superb location in Old Nice. A great base for a few days in Nice.

Official star rating:

Hotel Villa Victoria

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[2.6 miles]

This attractive, friendly and affordable 4-star boutique hotel stands out for its lovely garden. It’s handily located just outside the pedestrianised area of Old Nice, close to Nice’s main sights, and a short walk to its beach.

Official star rating:

Hotel Suisse

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[2.6 miles]

A charismatic and reasonably-priced boutique on the eastern end of Nice’s iconic Promenade des Anglais. It comes with panoramic sea views, handy parking, and access to a private beach club.

Official star rating:

Deck Hotel

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[2.6 miles]

This fun, colourful and affordable design hotel channels this area’s beach clubs, just off Nice’s Promenade des Anglais.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

French Riviera

Cote d'Azur, France

Money, glamour and bombshell looks: this beach-trimmed stretch of French coast offers decadent hotels, lounging in beach clubs, fine restaurants and world-class art.

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Nice

Cote d'Azur, France

The buzzing, art-filled, foodie capital of the French Riviera, with a charming, Italian-influenced historic centre. The ideal base for a first-time visit to the Cote d’Azur, and home to the world-renowned Nice Carnival.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Marc Chagall National Museum

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[1.2 miles]

This modern museum showcases Chagall’s joyful series of artworks inspired by the Bible – an explosion of colour and light. It’s the biggest public collection of works by one of the greatest 20th-century artists.

Best for ages: 18+ | £8

Nice Carnival

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[1.7 miles]

Parades, costumes, flower ‘battles’, lights, and sun: Nice holds one of the world’s best carnivals – second only to Rio.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 2 weeks

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Nice Museum of Fine Arts

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This magnificent former private mansion – built by a Russian princess – contains a fine collection of paintings and sculptures from the 16th to 20th century, by artists who lived in the Cote D’Azur.

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Best for ages: Any | Free

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Villa Kerylos

Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[5 miles]

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Best for ages: 18+ | £8

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