During your stay in Nice, you’ll probably want to climb to the heights of the city to enjoy the view of the Mediterranean and theexceptional architecture of the Côte d’Azur. Here you’ll find the Matisse Museum, a must-see, and right next door the Musée d’Archéologie de Nice/Cimiez. Here, we discovered the origins of Nice through remarkable artefacts and remains.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Archaeology Museum in Nice.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Archaeology Museum of Nice/Cimiez worthwhile?
Yes, the museum is well worth a visit. We learned a lot about Nice’s fascinating history as we immersed ourselves in the treasures of the Musée d’Archéologie, nestled high above the city. With its rich and varied collections ranging fromAntiquity to the Middle Ages, and its open-air remains, the museum offers a real immersion in the region’s past. It bears witness to Nice’s former splendor and exceptional cultural heritage.
Visiting the Archaeology Museum is one of our favorite things to do in Nice.
The 3-day Museum Pass, available on the official Ville de Nice website, gives you access to all Nice’s municipal museums for 72 hours.
What you can see
Remains of Roman baths
The archaeological site of Nice/Cimiez is located on the hill of the Cimiez district. It was the ancient city of Cemenelum, capital of the Alpes Maritimes region. The site features the remains of three complete spa complexes (1st to 3rd centuries). We enjoyed following the path of the water, which was particularly well explained.
A Gallo-Roman baptistery
You’ll also find a Paleochristian complex on the site. It consists of a cathedral and a baptistery, which we particularly enjoyed. The 2 buildings represent one of the last manifestations of urban life in Cemenelum (from the5th century onwards).
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
A Roman helmet
Once inside the museum building, we were intrigued by a Roman soldier’s helmet on a table next to a mirror. You can try it on and watch yourself with it. It’s easy to understand what it meant to wear this metal helmet, which weighed 3.5kg!
The milestones of Augustus and Hadrian
Milestones marked Roman roads every thousand Roman paces. One mile corresponded to 1481m). We had fun trying to decipher the inscriptions. They indicate the distance from the main town or from Rome. They also bear the name of the emperor who built the road.
The Ilonse wild boar
We have reconstructed a copy of this statuette representing a wild boar, found near the site of theancient Gallic village of Ilonse (north of Nice). Ears, backbone, tail and legs separate. For the Gauls, the wild boar was a sacred animal. It was probably buried during a religious ceremony.
Jewels and precious stones
We loved the jewels and gems on display. They were mainly found in the thermal baths (at the bottom of the pools and in the sewers, where they must have been lost). Many come from the western spa. They suggest that this was probably the women’s bath.
Limestone sarcophagi
We were moved by the 2 sarcophagi we saw. Indeed, like our modern graves, the inscriptions they bear tell the story of those who were buried there. One was commissioned by a mother for her children, the other by a wife for her husband.
A terracotta oil lamp
Many oil lamps have been found on the Cimiez site, particularly in the necropolis. We really liked the decorations on this one. The medallion features the figure of Eros, seated in profile, playing the lyre.
Glass perfume jars
Vials of perfume, balsam balsamaires in bluish glass intrigued us. They were found in the necropolis, buried in a layer of ashes. They were probably used in cremation rites, thrown into the fire with aromatic plants, alongside more personal objects and food.
Marble mortar
Mortars were indispensable to daily life. They were used to grind grains, legumes and condiments, as well as to prepare colors and ointments. The finger-shaped pestle on this one amused us.
Silene’s mask
This little bronze mask is a marvel! It was originally one of the decorative elements of a situla (bucket-shaped bronze container). Masks like this one adorned the bases of its handle. We enjoyed discovering Silène, a mythological character who was part of Dionysus‘ entourage.
Ceramics with geometric patterns
We really liked this little cup with its high, horn-shaped handle. The all-round latticework and background motifs are very delicate. It is part of a group of ceramics attributed to the Iapygian populations who occupied what is now the Puglia region around the 3rd century BC.
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- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get to the Archaeology Museum in Nice
Where to find the Archaeology Museum of Nice/Cimiez
- On the heights of Nice
- In the Cimiez district
- Next to Musée Matisse
- The museum entrance is at 160 Avenue des Arènes, Nice (06000).
Access by car and parking
- During our visit, we found parking on Avenue Bellanda, opposite the entrance to the Archaeology Museum.
- There are also a few parking spaces on Avenue du Monastère, above the Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez.
- You can also take a look at the Musée Matisse parking lot in front of the Monastère de Cimiez. And maybe take the opportunity to visit the Matisse Museum! The 2 museums are among our must-visit museums in Nice.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Public transport access
The museum is accessible by bus: lines 5, 18 and 33.
Stop: Arènes / Musée Matisse
Find out more here.
Visiting difficulties
The route through the remains of the archaeological site is not very stable, and there are stairs inside the museum. We didn’t see an elevator, but the site is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Tips for visiting the Nice/Cimiez Archaeology Museum
Schedules and prices
The museum is open every day except Tuesday and certain public holidays (January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, December 25):
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1 to April 30
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 2 to October 31
- Price: €5
- Free for children under 18
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 1 to 2 hours to visit the archaeological site and museum.
Best moment
We advise you to come in the morning as soon as it opens, to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, and a bit of freshness if you come on a sunny day.
Direction of visit
You can choose to start your visit either at the museum or at the archaeological site. We preferred to explore the remains outdoors first (the route is signposted). This enabled us to better contextualize the objects on display in the museum.
Visiting with children
- The Musée d’Archéologie offers mediation activities and educational workshops for 6/12 year-olds. Find out more here.
- For those over 13, a virtual reality tour of the archaeological site is available every Wednesday, by appointment. Find out more here.
Eating out
The museum is located in the hills above Nice. It’s best to head back down to the city center to enjoy the Côte d’Azur’s many restaurants. Don’t miss our article on the best places to eat in Nice.
Hotels
The museum, although a little out of the way, is located in the city of Nice. You’ll find plenty of hotels nearby. In fact, we’ve devoted an article to our top places to stay in Nice.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
