Musée Matisse Nice
Musée Matisse Nice
3.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located on top of a hill, the Musée Matisse is part of the vast heritage complex of Cimiez, the former Roman city of Cemenelum which became the central feature of Nice’s development into a winter resort town in the 19th and 20th centuries. The city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum, inaugurated in 1963, consists of a 17th century villa which was revamped and extented with a new wing by the architect Jean-François Bodin between 1987 and 1993. It sits in the middle of a public garden and stands in harmony with the surrounding area, offering the public a simple and engaging introduction to Henri Matisse’s work. The collection which comprises works donated to the city by the artist and his heirs is displayed in a 1200 square meters exhibition space. Its presentation helps the public to experience Matisse’s art more fully and measure the importance of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Tommaso RavasioItaly11 contributionsI recently came to the Matisse Museum to visit the exhibition "Matisse-Mirò" and I was deeply impressed. The organization was impeccable and the storytelling was excellent, which helped a lot to fully understand the characters. The exhibition was accompanied by texts available in both English and French, making it accessible to an international audience. The exhibition was quite large and we spent almost two hours visiting it all, but every minute was well spent. Interestingly, students can enter for free, so be sure to bring proof of your status to take advantage of this opportunity. I strongly Recommendation to stop and read the various explanatory paragraphs that tell the relationship between Matisse and Mirò and their ideas. Although it may seem a little uncomfortable to stop and read, the texts are flowing and allow you to fully understand the exposition. Ultimately, it was an enriching experience and I highly recommend this exhibition to all art lovers.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 29, 2024
- MikeFrankfurt, Germany26 contributionsWe were at the Matisse Museum yesterday and found the exhibition ok. The only drawback is the parking situation, there is no parking garage and also no direct parking in the area. It's a stroke of luck to find one in the surrounding side streets. The fact that you get direct access as a severely disabled person past the long queue is positive. It is also worth noting that admission is free for oneself and one accompanying person. The museum is worth a visit, especially if the weather is not perfect.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 24, 2024
- Gary RCalifornia85 contributionsWe had a lovely visit to this museum recently. We took an Uber to the museum from our hotel on the Promenade des Anglais. The artwork was very interesting and I learned quite a bit about the artist from this visit. There was no line at the time of our visit and it was not terribly crowded. It is a very pleasant visit and I recommend it.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 8, 2024
- Hartmut SLyon, France202 contributionsThe special exhibit" MIROMATISSE au-dela des images" is indeed interesting - but highly intellectual and at times bit difficult to understand what the curator wanted to express or show. The museum is impressive and both the Matisse and Miro paintings on display are in itself very much worth a visit! The staff at the Museum couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant with a special thanks to Cristopher.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 9, 2024
- ERIC-PARIS-08Paris, France257 contributionsThe museum is located at the top of the hill Ce Cimiez in the beautiful Arena Park. The Permanent Collections (works by Matisse) are of high quality in both painting and sculpture. The museum organizes important temporary exhibitions. The welcome is smiling and inviting. This is a place to visit if you are in the area. Moreover, the museum is air conditioned.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 18, 2024
- 32ericoLille, France82 contributionsThe MATISSE museum is located on the heights of Nice, in the Cimiez district, very close to the old Regina hotel where the painter spent these last few years, which were still very active creatively. Recently the painter Djamel TATAH was exhibited, it was a happy discovery, his works being compared to those of Matisse. The staff is very welcoming . On leaving, you can go and pay your respects at the tomb of Henri Matisse, nearby, near the Cimiez monastery.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 29, 2024
- Sandrine S1 contributionWhat a great time spent with our guide Veronique. A journey tracing the evolution of Matisse's work, from his first sketches to his last monumental creations. A magnificent museum in the Cimiez Arena Park. And the nice surprise of having found some of Klein's works on temporary exhibition.Visited January 2025Traveled with familyWritten January 12, 2025
- HRL700070 contributionsA colorful experience. Great and nice exhibition. Many beautiful and well-known works, as well as information about Matisse himself. It is a colourful exhibition with paintings, sculptures and more. A good exhibition for both children and adults, because it is so varied. Nice location and a big quiet park to end your visit in.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 25, 2024
- MargeTurku, Finland1,614 contributionsSome of Matisse's works, drawings and sketches. The rooms alternated between old and modern art. The latter should have been left out. No line at all. Free with a museum pass. The building is magnificent and the surroundings have a nice park, an archaeological museum, a Franciscan monastery with gardens, etc. Bus 5.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 20, 2024
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3.5
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ced0209
Apt, France44 contributions
Feb 2025 • Business
The museum is quite nice... large empty spaces with 4-5 items to look at. The tour is done in less than 10 minutes.
On the other hand, the security staff is worth the visit because they border on ridiculous with their attitude of robocop guards pre-retired with chain glasses: unable to manage more than 10 people at once with the rigidity and incomprehension of a CDI guard in the 1980s. It hurts to see. Award of honor for the self-appointed security manager who wins the first prize of antipathy with her totally inappropriate moralizing attitude.
On the other hand, the security staff is worth the visit because they border on ridiculous with their attitude of robocop guards pre-retired with chain glasses: unable to manage more than 10 people at once with the rigidity and incomprehension of a CDI guard in the 1980s. It hurts to see. Award of honor for the self-appointed security manager who wins the first prize of antipathy with her totally inappropriate moralizing attitude.
Automatically translated
Written February 17, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco C
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
During my visit the experience was awful. The paintings of Matisse were not on display until may 2024. We waited one hour in queue not knowing this. There were insane security measures and they made everyone pay the full price 10€. Terrible experience
Written April 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stella g
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
we arrived today to visit the museum and were annoyed at the behaviour of the staff. We booked our tickets online and as in most art museums across europe you proceed to enter and do not queue. we approached the staff to enter as he was allowing others in and was told to join the very long queue . the situation got worse as an elderly gentleman, obviously disabled was told to either join the very long queue or climb the stairs and enter the accessible entrance. this deplorable situation only was relieved by a member of the public allowing the gentleman to take the first place in the queue. a series of applause could be heard from the public who witnessed this atrocious customer service. really you need to address this situation.
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrangescaG
Naples, Italy160 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The museum is not worth much, there are few works and there are no activities for children. Obviously Matisse wanted it and it's still a thrill to enter it. No bags or food can be brought inside. However, I give two recommendations: monoprix for excellent sandwiches and desserts a 5-minute walk away to be enjoyed in the adjacent park and the Roman Eppca excavations nearby. Search the archaeological talents of Nicola, the Lucanian custodian of Forenza, very friendly and helpful, who will give you various explanations. He left his land many years ago for love but he can't wait to talk to Italians. :-)

Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandrine
81 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
On our cruise at Villefranche Port, there are lots of touring choices. We decided to focus on local culture, less crowds in the Musee Matisse area of Cimiez within Nice. We took a taxi (35-40 Euros each way) from the tender port in Villefranche directly to the Musee Matisse.
The museum is high up, great views overlooking a Roman city! We love museums and the Musee Matisse did not disappoint, clean, good lighting, modern touches in a historical building. It also has an archeological museum included with your museum ticket and Roman ruins, very informative and not too large. There is a Roman amphitheater in the park next door to the museum. We saw local residents enjoying a game of badminton there, while others were walking or sitting outside having an espresso or sandwich from the Olive tree orchard park's cafe. The park has clean, pay for toilets available.
A short walk from the Musee Matisse is a Franciscan Monastery, (Monastere de Cimiez) its gardens are a must see, explore, enjoy the peaceful setting and the best view! Across the way you can see the hilltop Observatory, (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur).
There is a Historical building, Hotel Regina, also within walking distance of the Musee Matisse, we were unable to go inside due to time limits back to the ship but enjoyed the hotels regal, beautiful architecture. It took a while to get a taxi for our return, best to stay in front of the Musee Matisse entrance main street or call for a taxi.
Enjoyed and recommend the Musee Matisse and the charming Cimiez area.
Happy travels!
The museum is high up, great views overlooking a Roman city! We love museums and the Musee Matisse did not disappoint, clean, good lighting, modern touches in a historical building. It also has an archeological museum included with your museum ticket and Roman ruins, very informative and not too large. There is a Roman amphitheater in the park next door to the museum. We saw local residents enjoying a game of badminton there, while others were walking or sitting outside having an espresso or sandwich from the Olive tree orchard park's cafe. The park has clean, pay for toilets available.
A short walk from the Musee Matisse is a Franciscan Monastery, (Monastere de Cimiez) its gardens are a must see, explore, enjoy the peaceful setting and the best view! Across the way you can see the hilltop Observatory, (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur).
There is a Historical building, Hotel Regina, also within walking distance of the Musee Matisse, we were unable to go inside due to time limits back to the ship but enjoyed the hotels regal, beautiful architecture. It took a while to get a taxi for our return, best to stay in front of the Musee Matisse entrance main street or call for a taxi.
Enjoyed and recommend the Musee Matisse and the charming Cimiez area.
Happy travels!
Written September 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OkayTC
London, UK474 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We have sympathy with the reviews about booking online and then having to queue with people buying tickets. Today they had a security person upstairs overlooking the entrance and they quite aggressively told us to queue - only one cashier - who when it was our turn simply scanned our online tickets. The management need to get a grip so either stop selling online tickets or position someone at the door to facilitate entry rather than standing in the wrong place. Complete farce which spoilt our visit. The latest exhibition is interesting though unclear and poorly structured. Not a great experience and as regular visitors to Nice we may not bother to walk up to the museum again.
Written September 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
littlej0y
Southampton22 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Not sure how they can charge 10 euros when the main collection is not here…
A Matisse museum with no Matisse paintings?!
The work of the artist they have displayed was interesting but not what we expected.
The ticket did get us in to the archeology museum next door which was fascinating for the scale of the ruins ( unexpected)and we would not have gone there otherwise.
A Matisse museum with no Matisse paintings?!
The work of the artist they have displayed was interesting but not what we expected.
The ticket did get us in to the archeology museum next door which was fascinating for the scale of the ruins ( unexpected)and we would not have gone there otherwise.
Written April 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susanne E
Bouches-du-Rhone, France40 contributions
Jun 2023
After waiting in line for quite some time I found this museum too crowded even though they only let in a certain number of people at one time. I am lucky that I understand French, I heard a lot of complaining about signs only in 1 language. Unfortunately it felt like something was missing, not that much art by Matisse.
Written July 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gi7
Belgium84 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
The collection is vast and magnificent and certainly worth seeing. Unfortunately, there is a major problem with welcoming visitors. Endless line outside, at the top of the steps in the park, in full sun (or in the rain depending on the weather), without distinction between visitors with tickets purchased online with reservation and the others. The collection is worth 5, the organization maximum 3.

Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janiceallan1034
Aberdeen, UK7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We are staying in Nice & took the No. 5 bus up to the museum. After following signs for the entrance we seemed to walk in a circle round the perimeter, & eventually got to the entrance down some stairs to the door which clearly displayed that the museum was open 10am-5pm except Tuesdays. This was Sunday 27th August at 12.30 pm. It had been raining in the morning but it was now stopped. The doors were locked! There were about 50 people waiting to get in. Eventually an employee appeared to say the museum was closed due to the rain!! It would be open on Monday, although rain is again forecast. It would appear to be an indoor event.
We were then all ushered back up the steps & out the gates which were then locked.
Very disappointing, poor explanation given. We will not be attempting entry tomorrow if it is raining again for fear it is again closed! It maybe because the many marble steps down to the entrance we’re slippy due to the rain, but the gates were open & we had all negotiated the steps before being denied entry.
We were then all ushered back up the steps & out the gates which were then locked.
Very disappointing, poor explanation given. We will not be attempting entry tomorrow if it is raining again for fear it is again closed! It maybe because the many marble steps down to the entrance we’re slippy due to the rain, but the gates were open & we had all negotiated the steps before being denied entry.
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buongiorno! Vorremmo visitare il vostro museo, ma ho un cane labrador, possiamo vederci?
Written September 14, 2023
Hello! I've read on the museum's website: "It is not possible to enter the museum with backpacks, suitcases, travel bags".
Please: Anyone who went to the museum carrying a backpack (as many tourists do), what did you do with it?
Written April 6, 2018
There are free lockers to use although I did see some people with small rucksacks but they had to wear them on their fronts.
Written April 6, 2018
Bonjour
Comment fonctionne ce pass 24H ? C'est 24h à partir de la date d'achat ? Ou 24 H à partir de l'entrée au premier musée ?
Merci
Cordialement
Written January 26, 2018
Bonjour,
Il nous a été indiqué que c’etait un pass valable pour la journée. (Je n’ai pas cherché à savoir si c’était « d’heure à heure »)
Written January 30, 2018
About the Matisse Museum Nice. Some visitors say there is a cafe on the grounds, but other reviewers swear there is no cafe.
Can anyone clear this up? Just where is the cafe? Does it have a name? Who runs it?
Many thanks.
Written October 30, 2017
Is the museum still under construction? Are all his works on display? Which ones are not? I am staying at Regence hotel
How do I get to Museum? What is admission? Is admission tied to Chagall museum as well?
Is there a time to visit which is less busy on Friday?
Thanks for your time.
JK Florida
Written March 16, 2017
There is no contruction that I know of, pls ask your hotel for best bus connection! The answers above contain all your requests, the ticket is vslid also for other museums, the staff at the museum is totally helpful! Enjoy your visit and the comfortable couches. This is a good time in general to visit Cannes, there is no queue in March! Best regards
Written March 17, 2017
Avec un nom comme «Etoile», et de la région francophone du New Hampshire, vous devriez accueillir l'utilisation du français pour expliquer les œuvres de Matisse
Written January 17, 2017
Robert, Sorry, do not get the point and the Google translator is not helpful. Was there a question?
Written January 17, 2017
Is there a gift shop where I can buy posters or prints to take home? And is there a cafe?
Written November 12, 2016
Yes there is a lovely gift shop in the musee Matisse. However, as far as a cafe is concerned, you might be disapointed (French museum have not all understood all the money they could make in having a café inside, mostly because they are funded by the state or the city).
Depending on your need for coffee and will to walk, your 5 choices are the following :
1) Go to the refreshment stall which is in the park around the roman arenas (not opened during the "cold months"),
2) Go to the Monoprix mini-mall which is 100 yards up the arenas in the rue de Flirey
3) Go to the nearest bar-café located on place Commandant Gerome (600 yards up the rue de Flirey)
4) (recommended) Go back down in the city where you'll find plenty (Cimiez is a residential area with scarce shops, and even less bar-cafés).
5) Get your own insulated coffee mug ;-) (may be the easier)
Nevertheless the Musee Matisse is a really nice place to see and understand Matisse work evolution. In addition, you can visit the roman city ruins, the monastery's church and related garden (from which you have a wonderful point of view on the eastern part of Nice, the mountains and the sea.
Enjoy your stay in Nice.
Written November 14, 2016
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