Musee Matisse
Musee Matisse
3.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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
Surrounded by an olive garden, this museum has a collection of paintings spanning the length of Henri Matisse's career.
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  • JJJC_Family
    810 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Disappointing
    Very little of Matisse to see here and mostly underwhelming. In fact, they have perhaps more non-Matisse art than Matisse art. This is ok for an exhibition, not a museum that is supposed to be dedicated to an artist. If you are in Nice and have time, ok. Otherwise, unless you are a Matisse fanatic, I am not certain it is the best use of your time. Although if you combine it with a visit to the adjacent archaeological museum with the Roman ruins, it becomes a reasonable option.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 June 2023
  • Christel8
    Sprundel, The Netherlands427 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Disappointing
    Was it worth the visit ? Not fully sure, little disappointing. Lots of explanation is only in French, the map of the museum is slightly confusing and you will not see much famous art/work of Henri Matisse. The building itself is very nice, but I would not call this a Matisse museum. Can easily be skipped on your stay in Nice.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 28 June 2023
  • Susanne E
    Bouches-du-Rhone, France40 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Slightly disappointing but happy that I went
    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.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 8 July 2023
  • sharry2306
    65 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not as many works as expected but worth a visit!
    This is my second visit to the museum - the first was in 2001 and I seem to remember a lot more works on view, especially the cut-outs. I realise works are in galleries all over the world but I was slightly surprised at overall how little there was for a museum dedicated to Matisse in Nice. We thought we had missed another part of the building but we had finished!! Worth a visit though for some key works and the setting and main building outside were lovely.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 August 2023
  • Gunnar G
    Copenhagen, Denmark1,321 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent special exhibition summer 2023
    Until september 2023 this museum has a special exhibition that focuses on Matisse in the 1930's, where he among other visited the US three times. It shows a lot of Matisse-paintings, many of them normally being exhibited in US-museums. The permanent exhibition has some Matisse paintings and tells the story of the creation of the museum. The museum can among other be reached by bus 5 and it will take you 20 minutes from the stop close to Place Massena. Don't expect this museum to be a large retrospective museum with paintings from all periods of Matisses work and remember to check which special exhibition the museum show before you plan to visit in order to prevent you from being disappointed if they don't show many Matisse paintings at your visit.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 August 2023
  • Sandrine
    33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyed the museum and walking around the Cimiez area!
    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!
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 September 2023
  • Nancy Lulu P
    Nice, France15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Guided Tour of Musee Matisse
    I love this museum! I have been several times, but this last time I took a guided tour in French and English. Our guide Veronique was wonderful. Having her share little details about Matisse's life and influences was invaluable. I especially liked hearing about his later life and the time he spent working on the cutout pieces. Living in Nice makes this museum even more special. Veronique really enhanced our visit, I highly recommend her and this museum.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 6 December 2023
  • Diane E
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A good guided visit
    We had a wonderful tour in English led by a very knowledgeable guide. Elle était très sympa et j’ai beaucoup appris. L’art de Matisse et Shirley Jaffe a bien fonctionné ensemble. A very lovely well thought out museum situated near a park in Cimiez. Perfect for an outing. Highly recommend!
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled on business
    Written 7 December 2023
  • Aburel
    Bucharest, Romania2,514 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice but disorganized
    A long line must be in order because only one cashier sold tickets and only one security was bag checking. The Matisse work was mixed with another artist but this is fine.its a pantheon dedicated to Matisse with nice touch and dedication to his work. Park in front of the Cimiez Monastery and do not miss that one either. It’s just a small park in between.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles1,886 reviews
Excellent
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Poor
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mcdl_82
Oslo, Norway218 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
I was expecting something more and different. However, the museum is worth a visit on a rainy day if you do not have anything better to do.
Written 29 January 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.

Aburel
Bucharest, Romania2,514 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
A long line must be in order because only one cashier sold tickets and only one security was bag checking. The Matisse work was mixed with another artist but this is fine.its a pantheon dedicated to Matisse with nice touch and dedication to his work. Park in front of the Cimiez Monastery and do not miss that one either. It’s just a small park in between.
Written 1 January 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.

Josepha M
158 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
I had been a few years ago. I was disappointed by this return visit as there were very few Matisse works on display. Most of the works were by another artist inspired by Matisse. The museum is fully step free.
Written 11 December 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.

Diane E
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Business
We had a wonderful tour in English led by a very knowledgeable guide. Elle était très sympa et j’ai beaucoup appris. L’art de Matisse et Shirley Jaffe a bien fonctionné ensemble.
A very lovely well thought out museum situated near a park in Cimiez. Perfect for an outing. Highly recommend!
Written 7 December 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.

Nancy Lulu P
Nice, France15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
I love this museum! I have been several times, but this last time I took a guided tour in French and English. Our guide Veronique was wonderful. Having her share little details about Matisse's life and influences was invaluable. I especially liked hearing about his later life and the time he spent working on the cutout pieces. Living in Nice makes this museum even more special. Veronique really enhanced our visit, I highly recommend her and this museum.
Written 7 December 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.

Sunshine 67
Nice, France3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
An interesting area of Nice, great exhibitions, knowledgable staff. An opportunity to learn about many different aspects of Matisse and his work.
Written 2 December 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, UK414 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 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 24 September 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.

stella g
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 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 18 September 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
33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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!

Written 13 September 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.

Felicie O
Birmingham, UK37 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
You won’t see any of Matisse’s masterpieces - they are in the world’s great museums - but you’ll get a wonderful feel for his life in Nice, and a renewed love of his work
Written 7 September 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.

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