Musée Matisse (Matisse Museum), Nice

Musée Matisse (Matisse Museum), Nice (must see)

The Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse) is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts visiting Nice. Located high on the hill of Cimiez, the museum is dedicated to the life and work of the renowned painter and former Nice resident, Henri Matisse. The museum is housed in a beautiful 17th-century Genoese villa that belonged to the Guernatis family, painted in cheerful red and yellow tones and decorated with trompe-l'oeil (design intended to create a visual illusion).

Surrounded by the Cimiez Arenes Garden (Jardin des Arenes de Cimiez), which spans over 36,000 square meters and boasts olive, pine, and cypress trees, the Matisse Museum offers visitors a stunning visual experience. The ground floor of the villa is devoted to Matisse's first works, dating from 1890 to 1905, which provide an invaluable starting point for understanding Matisse's progression as an artist. Notable pieces include Nature Morte aux Livres and various copies he did of works found in the Louvre.

The museum also features Matisse's masterpieces that memorialize his stay in Nice, such as A Storm in Nice (1919) and Odalisque with Red Box (1926). Visitors can also admire his famous paintings from the 1930s, including Window in Tahiti and Nymph in the Forest. A room is dedicated to Matisse's paper cuttings, which he created in later years as his physical health declined. Visitors can also view a collection of studies Matisse executed in preparation for his magnificent stained glass in the Vence Chapel.

Throughout the museum, visitors can get a glimpse into the life and personality of the artist through displays of objects he admired enough to paint as well as photographs of Matisse, his wife, and his models. Additionally, a series of temporary exhibitions are mounted in the villa's new, modern wing, providing visitors with the opportunity to view a variety of art.

Why You Should Visit:
As long as you don't expect too many Matisse paintings, you will appreciate this museum that focuses on the artist's career development through many aspects of his work.
The ticket allows entry to other Nice museums within 24hrs of the visit, but for the Matisse fan, this alone is worth the entrance fee.

Tip:
Make sure you bring ID for under 18s, as they get in for free.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Nice. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Musée Matisse (Matisse Museum) on Map

Sight Name: Musée Matisse (Matisse Museum)
Sight Location: Nice, France (See walking tours in Nice)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Nice, France

Create Your Own Walk in Nice

Create Your Own Walk in Nice

Creating your own self-guided walk in Nice is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Centuries of somewhat turbulent history have left imprint on the face of Old Nice, which until the 18th century represented the entire urban area. The abundance of historic and often colorful churches – about nine per square mile – ranging from the most opulent to the most obscure, each with its own quirks and story behind their stained glass, has made Old Nice part of a heritage preservation...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Shopping Areas in Nice

Shopping Areas in Nice

Other than being just a fashionable French Riviera destination with lively streets, leisurely atmosphere, historical sites and beautiful architecture, Nice is also a true shopper’s paradise. With more than 7,000 shopping options scattered throughout its almost 72 sq km area, the city surely knows how to offer unique and varied goods to its trendy residents and similarly stylish travelers anxious...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Nice Introduction Walking Tour

Nice Introduction Walking Tour

Nice – an iconic destination sprawled along the pebbly shore of the Baie des Anges in Southern France – has been the lure for the rich and famous for centuries, thanks to its temperate Mediterranean climate and picturesque seafront.

Founded by the Greeks of Marseille around 350 BC as a permanent settlement called Nikaia, after Nike – the goddess of victory, the town has changed hands...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Shopping, Dining, and Playing in Nice, France: Good for You, Good for the Planet

Shopping, Dining, and Playing in Nice, France: Good for You, Good for the Planet

When we travel, sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. There are just so many wonderful things to see, do, eat, and drink that our well-being can suffer while we live it up. That’s why a stop in Nice is a great idea when you’re in France. A few years ago, the city of Nice decided to...