Musée Matisse Nice
The Musée Matisse Nice's collection comprises works donated to the city by the artist and his heirs. Its presentation allows the public to fully experience the work of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.
The Musée Matisse Nice's collection comprises works donated to the city by the artist and his heirs. Its presentation allows the public to fully experience the work of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.
Programme
The collection
Formed thanks to the generosity of Henri Matisse and his family, the collection of the Musée Matisse Nice brings together works that come directly from the artist’s studio. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, cut-outs, prints and illustrated books make up an exceptional ensemble, offering a comprehensive overview of his work. Also comprising numerous personal objects belonging to Matisse—true models and active protagonists in his art—this collection provides a close insight into his creative process and the breadth of his aesthetic experimentation.
A chrono-thematic display, spread over four levels, illustrates the diversity of the works and highlights recent acquisitions, including Nature morte à la statuette africaine (Still Life with African Statuette, 1907), and the deposit by the Centre national des arts plastiques of four aquatints from the late 1940s.
Access
Musée Matisse Nice
164, avenue des Arènes de Cimiez
06000 Nice
+33 (0)4 93 81 08 08
musee-matisse-nice.org
Open daily from 10am to 6pm (5pm from
1 November to 31 March), closed on Tuesdays.
Ticket office closes 30 minutes before.
Closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st and December 25th.
Locate other art venues in the vicinity on the map.
Discover our address book
PLACES TO DISCOVER
• Le musée d'archéologie de Nice/Cimiez : next to the Matisse museum and located on the archeological site of the Roman city of Cemenelum, where the remains are displayed.
• The monastery of Cimiez and its garden : don't hesitate to visit the Franciscan monastery, classified as a historical monument, to admire the works of the Nice primitive Louis Bréa. The garden, formerly the monks' orchard and vegetable garden, is now a bucolic setting where climbing roses bloom on ancient pergolas. A small terrace, adorned with a fountain and ponds, opens below and offers an exceptional view of the Paillon valley and, further on, the sea.
• The Cimiez cemetery: a short detour to the cemetery located behind the monastery will allow you to see the tomb of Henri Matisse, but also those of other painters like Raoul Dufy.
• The Cimiez district: take advantage of your visit to Cimiez to stroll through the streets around the museum. This residential area of Nice, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, is of great architectural interest. It is home to luxurious Belle Époque residences, such as former palaces (e.g. the Régina, where Matisse's last studio was located) that have been converted into homes, or princely palaces of Moorish inspiration (the Alhambra).
• La chapelle du Rosaire à Vence: located 30 minutes by car from the museum, this total work of art entirely conceived by Henri Matisse is a must-see.
PLACES TO EAT
There are few offers in the Cimiez district. The easiest way is to go back down to the city center (direct with buses n°5 and n°33) and, why not, sit down at the terrace of one of the restaurants of the Cours Saleya, where Matisse used to come for lunch when he lived in the Caïs de Pierlas palace, located on the Place Charles-Félix.
PLACES TO DRINK
A refreshment stand is located in the garden of the Arena, in the shade of the olive trees.
PLACES TO STAY
• L'hôtel Beau Rivage : it is in this hotel located on the Promenade des Anglais that Henri Matisse stayed the first time he came to Nice, at the end of December 1917.
