Bucket list experience:
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.
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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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
France
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France
Where to go and what to see in Nice to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
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.
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
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:
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:
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:
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
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.
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.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
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, 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
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[2 miles]
This superb late 20th- and 21st-century art collection features many artists associated with Nice and the French Riviera. Nice’s answer to Paris’ Pompidou Centre.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[2 miles]
A spectacular train ride on a narrow-gauge railway through scenic French countryside, that you can ride from Nice on the Cote d’Azur to Annot in Haute Provence.
Best for ages: 4+ | £22 | 1 day
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[3.6 miles]
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.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Villefranche-sur-Mer , Cote d'Azur, France[3.7 miles]
Tucked between chi-chi St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Nice, the charming Medieval village of Villefranche-sur-Mer is the relaxed, boho antidote to the moneybags Riviera. A kilometre of coarse, gently shelving golden sand and crystalline waters, it’s all free and open to the public.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[5 miles]
Built in 1908 in an ancient-Greek-style, this villa in a ravishing seaside garden setting features replica 2nd-century AD interiors typical of the island of Delos. The project of two scholars obsessed with the period.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Nice, Cote d'Azur, France[5.1 miles]
A superb collection of art from France’s ‘Naive’ art movement, housed in a delightful pink mansion. Over 600 works from 27 countries.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
