Art School Trip To Nice

Explore the narrow winding streets of the Vieille Ville, a quaint neighborhood with a strong Italian influence. You can stop at the main square, Place Rossetti, for an ice cream. Then head up the hill past waterfalls, pools and gardens to take in great views from Le Chateau, a shaded hill and park named after a 12th-century château that was razed by Louis XIV.

This museum houses a splendid assortment of works by Henri Matisse including his paper cut-outs of Blue Nude IV and Woman with Amphora. The permanent collection is displayed in a 17th-century Genoese villa overlooking the Parc des Arènes. Nearby is the Hotel Regina where Matisse lived. Temporary exhibitions are hosted in the futuristic basement building.

Housed in an architecturally-inspiring modern building this museum is home to 1,300 works by 300 artists from 1950 to the present day, including Andy Warhol, Sol Lewitt, Niki de Saint Phalle, Alain Jacquet, David Tremlett, Claude Viallat, and Arman. The roof terraces are also used as display space and there are regular temporary exhibitions. Image by Jesmar CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons.

Close to the Promenade des Anglais the museum opened in 1928 in a former private residence. Many fine works have been donated by collectors over the years. The collection covers art from the 16th to the 20th century including works by Fragonard, Rodin, Rude, Ziem, Raffaelli, Boudin, Monet, Sisley, Van Dongen, Dufy, Cheret and Degas.

The museum houses the largest public collection of the Russian born artist’s paintings including seventeen Old Testament scenes interpreting stories from Genesis, Exodus and the Song of Songs. In addition, there are over 400 paintings, gouaches, drawings and pastels of this important 20th-century Jewish artist. Image by Rosino, CC BY-SA 2.0.

This exceptional private gallery contains one of the most important modern and contemporary art collections in Europe. There are paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphic works from the 20th century. Works have been integrated into the building’s design and outdoor spaces including the sculpture garden, The Miró labyrinth, Braque’s pool and stained glass window. Image by Lexaxis7, CC BY-SA 3.0 from Wikimedia Commons.

Matisse considered this Catholic chapel which he designed and decorated to be his masterpiece. Matisse started the project in 1947 at the age of 77 when he was already confined to a wheelchair. The stained glass windows with their abstract designs in vibrant blue, yellow and green flood the white marble floor with light and colour. Image by Claude ALMODOVAR.

Learn about the life and work of this multi-talented artist who was also a poet, designer and film director through the exhibits of his works in different media. It is also possible to visit the nearby Bastion Museum which Cocteau restored and created. Image By Paolo Schubert CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons.

Auguste Renoir spent the last 12 years of his life in Cagnes-sur-mer and his former family home is now a museum giving a unique insight into his life and work. See the artist’s studio, fourteen original paintings, sculptures, photographs and personal items. The beautiful grounds afford outstanding views of the coastline and the village of Haut de Cagnes. Image by ClaireL28 CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons.

The most famous market area in Nice is the Cours Saleya in the old town. Bustling any day of the week, it serves as a flower and produce market every day but Mondays, when it becomes an antiques market. On summertime evenings, there is an arts and crafts market from 6pm. Besides the vendors under tents, there are several shops, boutiques and cafés.

Monaco has attracted international glitterati for more than a century thanks to its staunchly maintained independence and tax-free policy. Its capital, Monte Carlo, is a world-famous symbol of glamour, with a grand casino, royal castle, luxury shops, and chandeliered palace hotels. Students can mingle with the super-rich at its many museums, monuments and gardens.