Best Museums in Nice: Matisse, Chagall & More
The two must-sees are the Matisse Museum and the Marc Chagall National Museum, both on Cimiez hill. Add the Villa Masséna on the Promenade des Anglais, the Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of Asian Arts. The MAMAC is closed for long-term renovation, so don't plan on it.
Painters have been drawn to Nice for more than a century, and its museums tell that story beautifully. Most are run by the city, so you can combine them with a single pass. Here's how to plan your visits without wasting time.
The Matisse Museum, in Cimiez
Set in a red Genoese-style villa amid the olive groves of Cimiez, next to the Roman arena, the Matisse Museum (164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez) traces the career of Henri Matisse, who lived and worked in Nice. If you only see one museum, make it this one.
- Opening hours (City of Nice): April 1 to October 31, 10am to 6pm; November 1 to March 31, 10am to 5pm. Closed Tuesdays, as well as January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and December 25. The ticket office closes 30 minutes earlier.
- Admission: a single €10 ticket, according to the city's website .
- Getting there: take a Lignes d'Azur bus up the hill from the city center . The arena park right next door is perfect for a picnic.
The Marc Chagall National Museum
Heading back down from Cimiez toward the center, the Marc Chagall National Museum (36 avenue du Docteur-Ménard, at the corner of boulevard de Cimiez) is home to the Biblical Message cycle, which the artist designed specifically for this building. As a national museum, it has its own ticketing.
- Opening hours (tourist office): 10am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 6pm from May 2 to October 31, and until 5pm from November 1 to April 30 (4:30pm in March). Closed Tuesdays, January 1, May 1 and December 25.
- Admission: €10 full price, €8 reduced outside temporary exhibitions; €12 and €10 during exhibitions .
- Free entry: under-18s, and on the first Sunday of the month, according to the tourist office.
The two Cimiez museums are linked by boulevard de Cimiez: allow a morning or an afternoon for both, starting with Matisse at the top and walking down to Chagall.
Villa Masséna, on the Promenade des Anglais
Between the Promenade des Anglais and rue de France, the Villa Masséna is an art and history museum devoted to Nice and its Belle Époque high society, set in a palatial mansion with gardens. It's easy to squeeze in between swims. The tourist office lists opening hours of 10am to 6pm from May to October, with later winter hours from November; closing days vary depending on the source .
Fine Arts, Asian Arts and other museums
The Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum
In a villa in the Baumettes neighborhood, west of the center, the Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum displays paintings and sculptures from the 17th to the 20th century. It's part of the municipal museum network .
The Museum of Asian Arts
On the edge of the lake in Parc Phoenix, at 405 Promenade des Anglais (Arénas area), the Museum of Asian Arts is run by the Alpes-Maritimes department. Its marble-and-glass building, designed by Kenzo Tange, is worth the trip on its own. It's closed on Tuesdays; several sources say admission is free . It's close to the airport, so it's easy to fit in before a flight.
The MAMAC: closed for renovation
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) closed on January 7, 2024 for a major renovation. The tourist office says it will be closed "until 2028," while specialist sources put the works between 2027 and 2030 . In the meantime, part of the collection is on show at other venues around the city.
Museum passes and free entry
- 10-Museum Pass (Pass 10 Musées): the City of Nice offers a 4-day pass covering the municipal museums, listed at €15 (€10 reduced) . It pays for itself after two or three visits. National museums (Chagall) and departmental ones (Asian Arts) aren't included .
- Free entry to municipal museums: under-18s, students, jobseekers and recipients of certain French welfare benefits (RSA, ASS or ASPA), with proof, according to the City of Nice.
- Residents of the Nice metropolitan area: the Nice Museum Pass, free and valid for three years, is available on site with ID and proof of address.
Tips for planning your visits
- Avoid Tuesdays: Matisse, Chagall and Asian Arts are all closed that day.
- Group by neighborhood: Cimiez in the morning (Matisse, Chagall), the seafront in the afternoon (Masséna).
- Combine with the sea: after a morning of museums, you can always head for a swim at one of the beaches in Nice. For a full itinerary, see what to do in Nice in one day.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most important museum in Nice?
For most visitors, it's the Matisse Museum and the Marc Chagall National Museum, neighbors on Cimiez hill.
Are museums in Nice free?
Not for everyone, but municipal museums are free for under-18s, students and several other groups with proof of eligibility. The Chagall Museum is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Is the MAMAC open?
No. It has been closed since January 2024 for renovation, with reopening announced for 2028 at the earliest.
Which day should I avoid visiting museums in Nice?
Tuesday, when the Matisse Museum, the Chagall Museum and the Museum of Asian Arts are closed.
Kayak with Azurkay
Matisse and Chagall were captivated by the light on this coast. To see it from a different angle, right at water level, our closest tour to Nice leaves from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, just minutes away by TER train or bus: a four-hour kayak trip toward Cap Ferrat, in a small group led by state-certified instructors. Find all the details on the kayaking in Beaulieu-sur-Mer page.
