Riviera Museums

Art, history - and a place to get out of the sun. The Riviera has some of the world's finest museums, and here you can find out how to make the most of them.

The Côte d'Azur has, quite literally, hundreds of museums, sites of historical interest and art galleries with something for everyone. One need not be a tourist to get pleasure from all the sights.

Museum Passes

There are various discount passes and packages focusing on different subjects or regions in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Côte d’Azur Museum Pass: The Carte Musées Côte d’Azur allows unlimited, priority entry into museums, historic sites and gardens. This pass can be bought from any branch of FNAC, participating museums or certain Tourist Offices. Note that that 3-day and 7-day passes must be used on consecutive days.
Nice’s Museum Pass: The Carte Passe-Musées Nice allows access to all the municipal museums. Information and the card are available from the Nice Tourist Office at 5 Promenade des Anglais.
Museums and galleries within the City of Nice are open 10:00 to 18:00, 6 days a week.
- Note: Entry is free on the first and third Sunday of the month, all year.
Menton’s Museum Pass: The Passeport Côte Musées is valid for one year and allows access to the museums and gardens around Menton. Enquiries at the Menton Tourist Office, 8 Ave Boyer

For more information on museum passes: Click here
For a list of all galleries and museums on the French Riviera: Click here

All the Tourist Offices have comprehensive guides available in English, and English-speaking staff to help.

Museums in Monaco

Monaco does not offer an equivalent short-term museum pass. However, the tourist office have Le Club Diamant Rouge de Monaco, which is a luxury travel club providing its members with exclusive benefits in hotels, shops restaurants and museums throughout the Principality. More information is available through the Tourist Office.

For the Monaco Tourist Office guide to the museums and attractions in the Principality: Click here
Monaco Tourist Office
At: 2A Boulevard des Moulins
Tel: +377 92 16 61 16
Fax: +377 92 16 60 00
Website

Useful Contacts

Comité Régional du Tourisme Riviera Côte d’Azur
At: 55 Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Tel: 04 93 37 78 78
Fax: 0493 86 01 06
e-mail
Website
Nice Tourist Office
Tel: 04 92 14 48 00
Fax: 04 93 92 82 98
e-mail
Website
Menton Tourist Office
Tel: 04 92 41 76 76
Fax: 04 92 41 76 58
e-mail
Website

Museums on the French Riviera

There are a great number of museums on the French Riviera. Here are just a few:

Musée Océanographique de Monaco: Founded in 1920 by Prince Albert 1er, this museum is entirely dedicated to the sea with an aquarium and exhibitions of the Prince's historical collections.

At: Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000 Monaco
Tel: +377 93 15 36 00
Fax: +377 93 50 52 97
e-mail
Website
Open: All year except the day of the Monaco Grand-Prix

Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain de Nice: Nice's museum of modern and contemporary art houses a collection of contemporary and avant-guarde art from Europe and the US from the 60s to now.

At: Promenade des Arts, 06364 Nice
Tel: 04 97 13 42 01
Fax: 04 97 13 42 02
e-mail
Website
Open: Every day from 10:00-18:00 except some public holidays

Musée Matisse: Visitors can discover the collections of works by Henri Matisse and the Hotel Regina where Matisse lived.

At: 164, av. des Arènes de Cimiez, 06000 Nice.
Tel: 04 93 81 08 08
Fax: 04 93 53 00 22
e-mail
Website
Open: Every day except Tuesday from 10:00-18:00

Musée Terra Amata: Reconstruction of prehistoric camps and shelters discovered in the Nice area. Audio-visual tours of the excavation process available.

At: 25 boulevard Carnot, 06300 Nice
Tel: 04 93 55 59 93
Fax: 04 93 89 91 31
Website
Open: Every day from 10:00-18:00 except Mondays and some public holidays