The back story 1
In-depth stories behind the list.
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The back story
The artists’ Riviera: the back story
Renoir’s olive trees, Matisse’s chapel, Picasso’s castle, Chagall’s Bible and Bonnard’s mimosa: how the light drew the painters south.
14 of the best · the French Riviera, France
Art, Museums and the Painters’ Riviera
Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Léger, Renoir, Bonnard and Cocteau in their own museums, the Fondation Maeght and the opera of Nice.
Our 14 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in the French Riviera
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love the Riviera.
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Matisse – Alex Katz, to 18 Jan 2027
Musée Matisse
Matisse in a red Genoese villa among the olive groves of Cimiez.
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France’s first independent art foundation
Fondation Maeght
Giacometti, Miró and Chagall among the pines above Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Chemin des Gardettes, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-VenceExplore View on map
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On the ramparts
Musée Picasso, Château Grimaldi
Picasso in the castle where he worked, on the sea walls of Antibes.
The full list: Art & Culture, A–Z
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Neighbourhood
Museums 10
The painters’ museums.
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France’s first independent art foundation
Fondation Maeght
Giacometti, Miró and Chagall among the pines above Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Chemin des Gardettes, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-VenceExplore View on map
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Les Toilettes de Marthe, to 31 Oct 2026
Musée Bonnard
Bonnard in Le Cannet, the town above Cannes where he lived and painted.
16 boulevard Sadi-Carnot, 06110 Le CannetExplore View on map
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On the seafront
Musée Jean Cocteau, Le Bastion
Cocteau in the old bastion on the seafront at Menton.
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Matisse – Alex Katz, to 18 Jan 2027
Musée Matisse
Matisse in a red Genoese villa among the olive groves of Cimiez.
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Closed Tuesdays
Musée national Marc Chagall
Chagall’s Biblical Message in a museum he helped to design.
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Picasso’s chapel
Musée national Pablo Picasso – La Guerre et la Paix
Picasso’s War and Peace on the vault of a chapel in Vallauris.
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On the ramparts
Musée Picasso, Château Grimaldi
Picasso in the castle where he worked, on the sea walls of Antibes.
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Renoir’s last home
Musée Renoir, Les Collettes
Renoir’s house and studios among the olive trees of Les Collettes.
19 chemin des Collettes, 06800 Cagnes-sur-MerExplore View on map
Stages & palaces 3
Opera and palaces.
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Van Gogh’s hospital garden
Espace Van Gogh, Arles
The former Hôtel-Dieu of Arles, whose courtyard garden Van Gogh painted.
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Opera, ballet and concerts
Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur
The opera house of Nice, a block from the sea.
4–6 rue Saint-François-de-Paule, 06300 NiceExplore View on map
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Musical instruments
Palais Lascaris
A Baroque palace in Vieux Nice with a collection of musical instruments.
15 rue Droite, 06300 NiceExplore View on map
Explore more of the French Riviera
25 of the best Restaurants
5 of the best Cafés
8 of the best Bars
25 of the best Hotels14 of the best Sights
12 of the best Beaches & Gardens7 of the best Walks
9 of the best Shopping
14 of the best Health & Spas6 of the best Property6 of the best Developments5 of the best Driving13 of the best Getting Around15 of the best Beach Clubs & Marinas6 of the best Casinos7 of the best Vineyards7 of the best Film & Cinema6 of the best Mountains & Ski6 of the best Diving & Water Sports