The Centre du Patrimoine or the Heritage center is located at 75 Quai des États-Unis in a villa built in the 1800s. It is a great place to learn about the history of Nice and the Provence region. The exhibits include information on the culture and the architecture of the city as well as the historical aspects.

The center also offers walking tours of Nice. Tours in English need to be arraigned at least 48 hours in advance. The tours are very informative and unrushed. The price is amazingly reasonable and with 11 tours available, there will be something to please everyone.

While most people think of the French Riviera when pondering Nice, this city has a long history as it was pulled between France and Italy for so long. It is interesting to understand the cultural influences that have made Nice unique. The language, the food, the Baroque architecture, and ancient ruins are all explained and a new appreciation for this city is gained. Comfortable shoes and a camera are a must for the tour, plus a bottle of water.

The Musée-Galerie d' Alexis at Gustav Adolf Mossa is dedicated to the works of Alexis Mossa and his son Gustav. Alexis painted in watercolors and was influenced by both symbolism and Art Nouveau. He also was the father of the carnival procession in Nice that is still enjoyed by locals and visitors every year.

His son followed in his footsteps and also became an extraordinary watercolor artist. Artworks from both artists are shown at the museum. There is one whole room dedicated to pastel paintings of Nice which is in contrast to some of the symbolist artwork of Gustave which can be rather bold and edgy. This is especially true with his works that feature decadentism.

The museum is located at Quai des Estats- Unis number 59. It is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm with the usual 2 hour break for lunch from 12- 2. Guided tours are also available with advanced notice.

The Naval Museum or the Galerie de la Marine is located on the Colline du Chateau in the Tour Bellanda. This beautiful round tower was built in the 16th century and has an incredible observation platform at the top of the building. The view from the museum is almost more impressive than the museum itself. From here there is a breathtakingly beautiful view of the port and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as that world famous beach on the French Riviera.

Inside the museum there are models of sailing vessels and relics of the maritime history around Nice. There are nautical instruments used to calculate a ship’s position in relation to the moon and stars, barometers, paintings, coats of arms, pennants and engravings. Even the parquet floors are interesting and add to the naval ambiance. This is a must see for anyone interested in the sea or sailing. Everyone will enjoy the views that the building affords.

The museum is open from 10am to 6 pm except for Mondays. Be prepared to walk up the 214 steps to the museum or take the elevator for a nominal fee. Entrance to the museum is free.

The Terra Amata Museum is located on top of an old archeological dig. So, it is no wonder that they specialize in Human Paleontology. The homonym site dates back around four hundred thousand years. The location also has displays that talk about the first humans that inhabited the area around Nice.

Inside, you can see displays of what an elephant hunter’s camp might have looked like, and what cave dwellings look like. You can also see the actual artifacts of the period, which were taken from the excavation site here. You can also see a footprint here that is some of the only evidence around for proof of Terra Amata’s homo erectus species. The museum also has some wonderful research faculties available for people wishing to do some scholarly research.

The museum is open to the public every day of the week except Monday, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They are closed on most major holidays. The library is open by appointment from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. The museum is also open to the public for free, so that is a great vacation budget stretcher. It is definitely worth the visit.

When you visit the Museum of Natural History, you will get a chance to see one of the oldest museums in Nice. It is also one of the best institutions of its kind to be found in France. So, if you have any interest in natural history at all, you need to plan on paying a visit.

The museum was made possible through the generosity of Jean Baptiste Barla and Jean Baptiste Verany. It was organized and opened to the public in 1846. It has been in continuous operation throughout that time period.

The biggest attractions here are the vegetable displays, as well as the geological collection. Both are quite impressive. There is also a wonderful photo gallery inside also. The major theme of the institution centers on showing life in all its frailest elements. There are some great dry habitat displays here, as a result of the main theme.

The museum is open every day of the week except Monday, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They are also closed on major holidays. One other nice tidbit is that the museum is free of charge.

The Musee Chagall is another of the wonderful museums of modern art to be found in Nice. It houses the biggest collection of his paintings of Old Testament scenes to be found anywhere. There is also a beautiful Cathedral built on the premises, though Chagall is not actually buried there. His final resting place is in a nearby town, called St. Paul de Vence.

The main hall is dedicated to the pictures he did from Genesis to Exodus. Nearby, you can see his mosaic of Elijah in the famous chariot of fire. The little off room also contains his paints of the zodiac. You will also be able to see the paintings he dedicated to his wife here. They are among the most dramatic and colorful of his works.

The museum is located on the Boulevard de Cimiez, and is very near the Matisse Museum also.
The place is open every day of the week except for Tuesdays, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm. They are closed on major holidays also, so make sure you call ahead, if you want to go on a holiday.

This is a wonderfully eclectic little museum that sits atop the hill of Cimiez. It is devoted to the life and work of Henri Matisse. The building is a grand old 17th Century villa that sports a beautiful red paint job, as is adorned with trompe-l’oeil. It used to be the home of the old museum of archeology. It is surrounded by a lovely park that is a wonderful place to take a walk. The olive and pine trees are quite beautiful.

The ground floor of this building is completely dedicated to the early works of the grand painter. This covers his creative period from 1890 to 1905. Among the works on the first floor is his first painting, the Nature Mortem aux Livers.

As you move through the building, you will find more and more of the later works of the master. Besides the permanent collection of Matisse, the new modern wing that was added on houses many wonderful temporary collections that change periodically.

The museum is open every day but Tuesday each week, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The location is closed on major holidays and all bank related holidays. One nice perk here is that children 18 years of age and under get in for free.

The Museum of Archeology at Cimiez was opened in 1960. It used to be located in the building that now houses the Musee Matisse. The current location has been in existence since 1989. The place is most well known for the collection of artifacts from the Metal Ages and the Middle Ages. There is also a fine collection of items from the 2nd and 3rd Century A.D. Inside the building is also some of the best preserved Roman style baths that you can find anywhere. They date from this same time period.

The whole area sits atop the ancient city of Cemenelum, which was the capitol of Alpes Maritimae Province of the old Roman Empire. There have been many successful archeological digs in the area, which have helped to provide quality items for the exhibits.

The museum is open to the public from Wednesday through Monday of each week, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. They are closed on Tuesdays and some of the major holidays. You may want to call ahead and check to see if they are open on a holiday.

The monastery itself is located in the hills that surround the city of Nice. It was built by the Franciscan Order, and includes several parts. The Notre Dame Church is attached to this, as well as the museum owned by the brotherhood. The exhibitions inside show a history of the Order from the 1200s until the present day.

There are some wonderful sacred works of art on display here, some of which are paintings by none other than Louis Brea. You can also find some important historical documents about the Fransiscans on display also. You may also want to check out the flower garden that surrounds the complex, as it presents a beautiful view of the surrounding area. The ancient cemetery of Cimiez is also attached to the gardens. There are many famous people buried there, such as Matisse and Dufy.

This old monastery and museum is a great place to visit, especially to get away from the classic beaches and beach life of the French Riviera. The Order has been here for hundreds of years, and provides a unique perspective to the history of Nice. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and holidays.