Visit Nice through its 12 museums to better understand its origins, its heritage and its relationship with art. Home to modern and contemporary art, archaeology, nature, photography: you’ll discover arich and diverse cultural offering in the Côte d’Azur capital and symbol of the French Riviera. Between dream and reality, culture, history, concrete, Belle Époque architecture, Italian influence, nature, greenery and coastline all come together to create a beautiful balance.
Whatever your tastes, we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for. Nice has inspired many artists.
In this article, you’ll find our opinions and tips for organizing your visits to the 12 best museums in Nice.
These reviews are completely independent, we visited anonymously and paid our entrance fees in full.
Tips for visiting Nice’s best museums
Nice museum map
The reality of Nice’s museums
In the Côte d’Azur capital known for its inspiring setting for the creation and appreciation of the arts, some museums are larger than others, with richer collections. All these suggestions are listed in our 15 ideas of things to do in Nice.
You’ll learn a great deal about Nice’s artistic, cultural and heritage heritage, which is very much in evidence. Discovering all these places of art and history, where the museography is immersive and quite exceptional, we understood why Nice inspires so much. Dynamic and cosmopolitan, it is also a candidate to become the European Capital of Culture 2028.
So take good shoes, comfortable clothes and something to cool off in!
Our favorite places
You’ll find details on each museum later in this article, but we couldn’t resist sharing our favourites with you right now!
We really enjoyed Nice’s many museums:
- Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC): an emblematic venue where we enjoyed an artistic experience combining creativity, innovation and emotion.
- the Musée national du Sport and the Stade Allianz Riviera: we were surprised by this experience, even though we’re not sports fans, but the collections and immersive museography aroused our curiosity.
- Musée Masséna: in this sumptuous neoclassical Belle Époque villa, we discovered the history of Nice from the time it became part of France in 1860.
3-day Museum Pass
The City of Nice has a policy of access to culture, enabling its residents to enjoy its museums free of charge or at a reduced cost.
For non-resident visitors, the municipality offers a 3-day Museum Pass that gives you access to all municipal museums and galleries for 72 hours for €15.
We strongly recommend that you opt for this Pass, which will facilitate your access and visits during your stay. More information on the city’s official website.
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
1. Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC)
Why visit it? Our review
If you’re passionate about modern and contemporary art, the MAMAC is a must-see venue in the Côte d’Azur capital, the cradle of modern art:
- The richness of its avant-garde collection: over 1,400 works are exhibited on 4 floors, featuring New Realism, Pop Art and Minimalist Art.
- A tribute to 2 figures of twentieth-century art: artists Yves Klein and Niki de Saint Phalle form the heart of the MAMAC collection, with special displays dedicated to them.
- Modern architecture with panoramic views of the city: the building, designed by Yves Bayard and Henri Vidal, is a work of art in itself. Its high bay windows gave us a breathtaking view of the city of Nice, the Baie des Anges and the surrounding mountains.
The 3 things to see during your visit
Later in this article, we’ll give you the details of our visit, but we couldn’t wait to share our favorite moments with you:
- The bold, colorful works of Niki de Saint Phalle: immerse yourself in a fantastic world with her famous “Nanas”, revealing her militant spirit and boundless creativity.
- The section devoted to Yves Klein: captivating, fascinating and powerful, his monochrome canvases and “Anthropometries ” in the deep blue of Bleu Klein (or IKB) enveloped us in a mystical atmosphere.
- The museum’s rooftop terrace: a 360° view of the city, with in situ temporary exhibitions. The marriage between the raw, urban character of the building and the work of the artists spoke volumes to us.
Practical advice
- Open all year round, closed Mondays, January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: May to October, 10 am to 6 pm; November to April, 11 am to 6 pm.
- Suitable for children.
- Visit duration: between 1h30 and 2h30 for a complete visit.
- Full adult price: €10.
- The official MAMAC Museum website.
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2. Palais Lascaris – musical instruments museum
Why visit it? Our review
Built in the mid-17th century for a noble family from Nice, the Palais Lascaris is worth a visit for several reasons:
- Listed as a historic monument: with its monumental staircase, frescoes and collections of antique art and furniture, it’s the city’s most emblematic Baroque building.
- Became the municipal Museum of Musical Instruments in 1970: harps, string and wind instruments, pianos, old documents… The instrument collection boasts 65 classified instruments, including 18 harps belonging to harpist Gisèle Grandpierre-Desaux.
The 3 things to see during your visit
This aristocratic residence is quite fascinating, with its well-preserved antique furniture, moldings and period frescoes. What stood out for us during the visit:
- Our favorite instruments: the pochette or miniature violin on display in the antechamber, the clavichytherium or miniature Florentine harpsichord, and finally the Renaissance birdwing spinet.
- The harp collection: 18 carved and engraved wooden instruments belonging to the artist Gisèle Grandpierre-Desaux are on display in this museum.
- The grand salon or salon de Phaéton: unfortunately, this space was closed due to the installation of an exhibition, but this room must nevertheless be very interesting. Its ceiling depicts “The Fall of Phaeton struck by Jupiter”.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of visit: 1 hour.
- Full adult price: €5.
- The official website of the Palais Lascaris – museum of musical instruments.
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OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- 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.
3. Matisse Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Since 1963, the Musée Matisse has been dedicated to the work of the great gouache painter. Located in the villa des arènes on the Colline de Cimiez, this museum houses a magnificent collection of works by Henri Matisse, a favorite of the city of Nice. Paintings, engravings, drawings and sculptures… The artist’s essential works are on display for our viewing pleasure!
The 3 things to see during your visit
The Musée Matisse is a truly inspiring place to visit in Nice. What stood out for us during our visit:
- the artist’s emblematic creations, such asthe statue Le Serf and the painting La Tempête in Nice,
- the L’arbre de vie stained glass window with ultramarine blue, bottle green and lemon yellow glass, considered one of Nice’s artistic treasures,
- Blue Nude IV, one of our favorites, a large azure gouache cut-out and pasted on canvas, taken from a set of 4 gouache cut-out compositions, the Blue Nudes series.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November to April, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May to October.
- Suitable for children.
- Visit duration: between 1h30 and 2h.
- Full adult price: €12.
- The official website of the Musée Matisse.
Read more
- Our full article on the Musée Matisse in Nice will soon be available.
4. National Sports Museum
Why visit it? Our review
We’re not sports fans in general, but this museum was a really nice, enriching and immersive discovery. The collection is rich in different types of art and antique objects: old bikes, interactive screens, authentic suits, medals, interviews, trophies, jerseys, photographs, paintings, archive images. This temple to sport recalls the defining moments and innovations that have shaped the French sporting landscape.
The 3 things to see during your visit
The whole collection is pretty impressive, but if we had to pick out 3 items that stood out for us..:
- the section dedicated to cycling and the Tour de France: captivating staging and installation of vintage bicycles, jerseys worn by cycling legends and accounts of historic stages,
- the room dedicated to competitive swimming and water sports: the exploits of Olympic swimmers and practices in France are revealed through a wide variety of art objects. Paintings, sculptures and even pieces that belonged to the sport’s greatest figures are on display,
- Stade Allianz Riviera, home to the Musée National du Sport: for our 1st visit to a stadium, we were transported into the electrifying atmosphere of sporting events and backstage.
Practical advice
- Open all year round.
- closed Mondays from September to May, December 25, January 1 and May 1.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. September to May, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June to August.
- Suitable for children.
- Length of visit: 2 hours for the guided stadium/museum tour, 1 hour for each.
- Full adult price: guided tour of museum/stadium €16, museum temporary or permanent exhibition €6, complete museum €8.
- The official website of the National Sports Museum.
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A LITTLE MORE patience
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5. Musée national Marc Chagall
Why visit it? Our review
Located in the heart of Nice’s Cimiez district, the Musée Chagall is one of the few museums created during the artist’s lifetime. The diversity and richness of his work is astonishing: drawings, sculptures, paintings, mosaics, stained glass and tapestries.
The 3 things to see during your visit
We had the pleasure of admiring Marc Chagall’s entire oeuvre in this museum dedicated to him. We think this is a must during your visit:
- The Biblical Message cycle, a masterly work in 17 tableaux. The first 12 illustrate “Genesis and Exodus”, and the other 5 the “Song of Songs”.
- The museum garden, where you can take a leisurely stroll.
- His 4 works date from his early years in Russia and Paris: La Sainte famille ou le couple, L’Atelier, Autoportrait, Autoportrait en vert between 1903 and 1914.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January1, May1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May to October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November to April.
- Suitable for children.
- Visit duration: between 1h and 1h30.
- Full adult price: €8.
- The official website of the Musée Chagall in Nice.
Read more
- Our full article on the Musée Chagall in Nice will soon be available.
6. Asian Art Museum
Why visit it? Our review
A real curiosity in the Arenas district, we discovered the Asian Arts Museum in the Côte d’Azur capital. Sculptures, paintings, chests, headdresses, traditional costumes, masks… Its museography showcases masterpieces in sober, uncluttered rooms. You can also attend workshops and a tea ceremony.
The 3 things to see during your visit
We thought these collections were simply stunning, but if we had to pick just 3 things, we’d be happy:
- The building, a work of art in itself: designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange in raw concrete surrounded by water, whose original style is influenced by Le Corbusier.
- The Japanese gold-leaf folding screen: this meticulous work with noble materials bears witness to the savoir-faire of the Land of the Rising Sun.
- The collection of sculptures and statues on the 1st floor: bronze, sandstone, volcanic stone, wood, iron… These objets d’art come from the 4 corners of Asia and date back centuries!
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January 1, May 1 and December 25.
- Free admission.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. September to June, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July and August.
- Suitable for children, download the fun tour guide here.
- Visit duration: between 1h and 1h30.
- The official website of the Museum of Asian Arts in Nice.
Read more
- Our full article on the Museum of Asian Arts in Nice will soon be available.
7. Musée Masséna
Why visit it? Our review
Dedicated to the history of the French Riviera, the Musée Masséna’s tour and collections cover the period from Nice’s attachment to France in the 19th century. Stop off at this sumptuous Belle Époque neoclassical villa designed by Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling. You won’t want to miss it on the Promenade des Anglais, as its small garden adjoins the Palace Le Negresco.
The 3 things to see during your visit
There are many beautiful pieces to see in this museum, the ones that caught our eye:
- Empress Josephine’s diadem, presented by her brother-in-law, King of Naples.
- The Grand Salon with wood moldings, antique furniture, marble columns and tall windows.
- Since 1937, the Reading Room has housed the Spitalieri de Cessole family library, built up over several generations and now owned by the City of Nice.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 11 am to 6 pm from November to April, 10 am to 6 pm from May to October.
- Tour duration: approx. 1h30.
- Full adult price: €10.
- The official website of the Musée et de la Villa Masséna.
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- Our full article on the Musée Masséna in Nice will soon be available.
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
8. Museum of Archaeology
Why visit it? Our review
To the west in the hills above Nice, in the Cimiez district, we pushed open the doors of the Musée d’archéologie sur la colline. Ruins, art objects, sculptures and relics await you to help you understand the daily life of the people of Nice in ancient times.
The 3 things to see during your visit
There are many beautiful pieces to see in this museum, the ones that caught our eye:
- The almost intact funerary urns date back to Roman times.
- A collection of bronze objects revealing foundry skills dating back over a millennium BC!
- Outside, the ruins of the Cimiez site, the thermal baths and ancillary buildings.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January1, Easter Sunday, May1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November to April, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May to October.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of visit: 1 hour.
- Full adult price: €5.
- The official website of the Musée d’Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez.
Read more
- Our full article on the Musée d’Archéologie in Nice will soon be available.
9. Terra Amata Prehistory Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Located in the Port district to the east of the city, the Terra Amata Museum of Prehistory stands on the site of the excavation of the site that bears its name. This archaeological site has revealed the way of life of the 1st inhabitants of Nice nearly 400,000 years ago! A place not to be missed if, like us, you love archaeology and relics.
The 3 things to see during your visit
What caught our attention in this museum:
- Fun and educational short films explaining the place of the remains in this museum.
- Miniature reconstructions of prehistoric scenes.
- Fragments of antique elephant tusk (yes, you read that right!).
Practical advice
- Open all year except Tuesdays.
- Closed January1, Easter Sunday, May1, December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November to April, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May to October.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of visit: 1 hour.
- Full adult price: €5.
- The official website of the Terra Amata Museum of Prehistory in Nice.
Read more
- Our full article on the Terra Amata Museum of Prehistory will soon be available.
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10. Charles Nègre Photography Museum
Why visit it? Our review
The Charles Nègre Museum owes its notoriety to the great names in photography that are exhibited there. The museum hosts mainly temporary exhibitions. Numerous talented contemporary photographers have the opportunity to showcase their work for our viewing pleasure.
The 3 things to see during your visit
We were able to admire some beautiful shots in this museum, and here’s what caught our eye:
- The museum building: housed in the former Préfecture substation, in operation since the 1930s. The industrial character of the architecture really gave the place a special cachet.
- The museum’s documentation center: free access to the museum’s collection of books on photography.
- The adjoining museum gallery: dedicated to regional photographic creation.
Practical advice
- Open every day except Monday.
- Closed on December 25, January 1, Easter Sunday and May 1.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: the museum is open from 10am to 6pm and the gallery from 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 6pm.
- Suitable for children.
- Visit duration: between 45min and 1h30.
- Full adult price: €5.
- The official website of the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre.
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11. Collections of the 5-star Hotel Le Negresco
Why visit it? Our review
The Le Negresco palace is a legendary French Riviera landmark. This building embodies the Belle Époque architecture along the Promenade des Anglais. Considered the “French embassy for art”, we were lucky enough to discover its collection of over 6,000 works by contemporary artists, objets d’art, paintings and lighting fixtures that adorn the walls.
The 3 things to see during your visit
The highlights of our visit, apart from our meal at La Rotonde:
- The Salon Masséna, a jewel of the Belle Époque era, with its well-preserved antique furniture, curtains that glide along the high windows and bay windows.
- The Salon Royal , home to some 6,000 works of art from Louis XIII to the present day.
- The Salon Versailles, featuring Hyancinthe Rigaud’s early Enlightenment portrait of Louis XIV.
Practical advice
- Open all year round.
- Possibility of visiting the hotel and its art collection if you are a guest of the hotel or one of the 2 restaurants.
- Suitable for children.
- Length of visit: between 1h30 and 2h30 depending on whether you eat on site.
- See more photos here.
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12. Nice Museum of Fine Arts
Why visit it? Our review
This emblematic venue in the Côte d’Azur capital features major works from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Paintings and sculptures by artists such as Fragonard, Dufy and Carpeaux are displayed in this charming 19th-century princely residence.
The 3 things to see during your visit
We particularly appreciated it:
- the section dedicated to painting at the turn of the 20th century: impressionism, post-impressionism and the avant-gardes,
- Raoul Dufy’s masterpiece La statue aux 2 vases rouges: wool tapestry,
- Le déjeuner sur l’herbe famous painting by Jules Chéret dating from 1904.
Practical advice
- Open all year except Mondays.
- closed January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25.
- Included with 3-day Museum Pass.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May to October, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. November to April.
- Suitable for children.
- Duration of visit: 1 hour.
- Full adult price: €10.
- The official website of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice.
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- Our full article on the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nice will soon be available.
Museums to do with children in Nice
Natural History Museum
Did you know that Nice’s Natural History Museum houses over 1 million zoological, botanical and geological specimens? Close to Nice’s Coulée Verte, we enjoyed a naturalistic walk among the species of the Mediterranean coast. Birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, fish, flowers and mushrooms of the Nice region welcome you to this museum. The site is well documented and suitable for young and old alike. Included with the 3-day Museum Pass.
Read more
- Our full article on Nice’s Natural History Museum will soon be available.
Musée international d’art naïf Anatole Jakovsky
Curious to discover naive art at the Musée Anatole Jakovsky in Nice, we crossed the eras of virtual and authentic art from the 18th century to the present day, a non-academic but internationally recognized artistic style. The Château Sainte Hélène, the former home of perfumer François Coty, is home to this atypical museum with a lovely green park adjoining. Bauchant, Séraphine, Rimbert, Lefranc, O’Brady, Haddelsey, Ligabue, Vivancos and the famous Douanier Rousseau are exhibited in colorful collections. Included with the 3-day Museum Pass.
Read more
- Our full article on the Musée international d’art naïf in Nice will soon be available.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- 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.
Other museums around Nice
If you’re visiting the Nice area and love museums, here are our favorites.
In Vallauris
- The Musée Picasso in the chapel of the Château de Vallauris, home to the large-scale frescoes La Guerre et La Paix.
- The Magnelli Museum, dedicated to the work of Alberto Magnelli, collector and 20th-century abstract and figurative painter.
- The Musée de la Céramique traces the history of ceramics through the ages.
In the town of Cagnes-sur-Mer
- The Musée Renoir is dedicated to the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
- The Château-Musée Grimaldi, located in a medieval village, houses portraits of Suzy Solidor, the Olive Tree Museum, contemporary art exhibitions and a Baroque-style painted ceiling.
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice
