Musee Matisse

Culture and Museums

Nice has plenty for culture lovers among its attractions.

There are numerous museums and theatres, and a visit to the Opera De Nice is highly recommended.

The opera

is located within the old town in a very grand building that was initially constructed as the municipal theatre of Nice and then became the city’s main opera venue from 1902 onwards.

There’s a regular programme of performances here, so check their schedule when you’re visiting to see what’s on.

Website: opera-nice.org

Museums

Nice has an excellent selection of museums, some of which feature the works of artists who visited the city for its incredible light.

Matisse was one artist drawn to Nice, and you can see some of his works at the Musee Matisse, which is situated within a 17th-century Genoese villa.

Other works of art are featured in the Museum of Asian Art, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The early history of Nice as a settlement can be discovered at the Museum and Archaeological Site of Cimiez.

This is where an ancient Roman settlement was situated, and there are still ruins from this period to be seen here.

Another ancient site is Terra Amata, and there’s a museum focusing on prehistoric Nice here.

Parks and Gardens

Nice has a couple of lovely parks and gardens to explore when you want a break from the busy streets.

The Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice is a small municipal botanical garden.

There are over 3,500 species of plants here, many of which are Mediterranean, plus 6,000 species of the herbarium.

Parc Phoenix is a more extensive botanic garden and zoo that features one of the largest greenhouses in Europe.

Plant species are displayed according to climatic zones, and you can see pelicans, turtles, and swans around the large pool.