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 the exceptional architecture of the Côte d’Azur. Here you’ll find the Matisse Museum, a must-see, and right next door the Museum of Archaeology of 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 in 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 water’s journey, which was particularly well explained.
A Gallo-Roman baptistery
You’ll also find a Paleo-Christian complex on the site. It consists of a cathedral and a baptistery, which we particularly liked. The 2 buildings represent one of the last manifestations of urban life in Cemenelum (from the5th century onwards).
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- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
A Roman helmet
Once inside the museum building, we were intrigued by a Roman soldier’s helmet on a table next to a mirror. It’s possible to try it on and watch yourself wearing it. It’s easy to understand what it was like 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 had the road built.
The Ilonse wild boar
We have reconstructed a copy of this statuette of a wild boar found near the site of theancient Gallic village of Ilonse (north of Nice). The ears, backbone, tail and legs have been separated. For the Gauls, the wild boar was a sacred animal. This one was probably buried as part of a religious cult.
Jewels and precious stones
We loved the jewels and gems on display. Most of them were found in the thermal baths (at the bottom of the pools and in the sewers, where they must have been lost). Many came from the Western Baths. They suggest that this was probably a women’s bath.
Limestone sarcophagi
We were moved by the 2 sarcophagi we saw. Indeed, the inscriptions they bear tell the story of those who were buried in them, just like our modern tombs. 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 particularly liked the decoration on this one. The medallion features the figure of Eros, seated in profile, playing the lyre.
Glass perfume jars
Vials of perfume, balsam balsamaires made of bluish glass, intrigued us. They were found in the necropolis, buried in a layer of ashes. They were probably used during cremation rites, thrown into the fire with aromatic plants, alongside more personal objects and food.
Marble mortar
Mortars were indispensable to everyday life. They were used to grind grains, legumes and condiments, but also to prepare colors and ointments. The carved, finger-shaped pestle on this one amused us.
Silene’s mask
This little bronze mask is a marvel! It was originally part of the decoration on a situla (a bronze bucket-shaped container). Masks like this one adorned the base of the handle. We enjoyed discovering Silenus, a mythological character who was part of Dionysus‘ entourage.
Ceramics with geometric patterns
We really liked this little bowl with its high, horn-shaped handle. The braces all around and the motifs on the bottom are very delicate. It’s part of a group of ceramics attributed to the Iapygian populations who occupied what is now Apulia around the 3rd century BC.
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
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 Cimiez Monastery. And maybe take the opportunity to visit the Musée Matisse! Both museums are among our must-visit museums in Nice.
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 path 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 discover the remains outside first (the route is signposted). This allowed us to better contextualize the objects on display in the museum.
Visiting with children
- The Archaeology Museum 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. More info 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 Nice’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. There are 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
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SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
