Other Best Art Museums in and around Nice

Everyone knows about the Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and Renoir museums, but there are quite a few others that are well worth a visit.  Here is a selection of some of the other best art museums in the South of France.

FINE ARTS MUSEUM/MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS in Nice

Exterior of the Beaux Arts museum in Nice FranceA beautiful ‘old school’ type of museum set in a stately mansion built for a Ukrainian princess in 1878. Over 400 years of fine art are represented, including sculptures by Rodin and Picasso, paintings by Raoul Dufy, Kees van Dongen, Mossa, Bonnard, Bruegels, Jules Cheret, and Fragonard.

This museum was the site of a major art heist in 2007 when masked gunmen burst in and in 4 minutes chrono made away with 4 masterworks worth 22 million euros: a Monet, a Sisley, and 2 Bruegels.  The band was infiltrated by the FBI and was caught a few years later… and the paintings are now back on display for your viewing pleasure.

How to get there:  By tramway take line two and get off at the Centre Universitaire Mediterranean (CUM) stop. From there walk up the giant staircase (40 steps) and it’s on your left.

Hours: 10am to 6pm (11am to 6pm in winter); closed Mondays, May 1, Easter, Christmas and Jan. 1.

Guided Tours:  Only in French, at 11am on Wednesdays, for 6€

Tickets: 10€ for adults, or pop a little more for a 15€ for a 4-day museum pass to all 10 Municipal Museums in Nice.  Free for children under 18, students of any age with student ID, locals with the blue Pass Musée, or with the French Riviera Pass.

FONDATION MAEGHT in Saint-Paul-du-Vence

Gardens of the Fondation Maeght Museum in Saint-Paul-du-VencePronounced “mag“, this estate is filled with fanciful, mostly abstract works (both inside and throughout the gardens) by Joan Miro, Fernand Legér, Bonnard and Braque, among others, plus always-intriguing temporary exhibitions.

How to get there:  Now that Nice has redone their public transportation network it’s not easy to get to the museum by bus, but once you’ve found the right one, get off at the Fondation Maeght stop. Here are all the details on how to take the bus.

Hours: 10am-7pm July-Sept, 10am-6pm Oct-June.    Closed days: None!

Tickets:  It’s the most expensive museum on the Riviera at 16€!  Discount to 11€ for students of all ages (with student ID) and children under 18.  Children under 10 get in free.

BONNARD MUSEUM in La Cannet

Pierre Bonnard lived in La Cannet from 1922 until his death in 1947, and is one of the post impressionist masters.  These years on the Riviera were his most inspired and prolific, and created over 300 dream-like paintings many of which celebrate the special light and beautiful landscapes of the Cote d’Azur.

How to get there:  Take the train to Cannes, then take the Palm Bus #1 and get off at the Mairie du Cannet stop.

Hours:  10am-6pm in winter, 10am-8pm July and August.   Closed days:  Closed Mondays, plus Jan. 1, May 1, Nov. 1, and Dec. 25

Tickets: 5€ or 7€ for adults, depending on whether they are showing the permanent collection or a special exhibition.  Reduced price of  3.50€ or 5€ for students.  Special family deal for 2 adults and two teens for 10€ or 14€   Children under 12 are free.

      Audioguides:  Download the free audioguide to your phone with GuidiGo app.  Don’t forget to bring earbuds…

L’ANNONCIADE MUSEUM in Saint Tropez

In this former fishermen’s chapel, right on the port of Saint Tropez, you’ll find a veritable who’s who of the post-impressionist period that is so intertwined with the image of the South of France: Matisse, Bonnard, Braque, Seurat, Luce, Modigliani, Dufy, Rodin…  If you are going to take the trouble to get to Saint Tropez, don’t miss this little gem.

How to get there:  Saint Tropez is a full day trip.  You can drive, but the 2 1/2 hour drive from Nice to Saint-Tropez is not recommended in the summer, as you will sit in sweltering traffic for seemingly forever.  You can also get there by boat, either direct from Nice (summer) or via train to Saint Raphael and then a shorter boat.

Hours:  10am-7pm summer through September, 10am-5pm winter.    Closed days: Closed Tuesday.

Tickets:  4-6€ for adults, 2-4€ for students, and free for children.

Photo credits: Beaux-arts by Miniwark, Fondation Maeght by Lexaxis7, all licensed under creative commons.  

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