Musee Matisse – A Mile in My Choo's

A visit to Nice would not be complete without a trip to The Musée Matisse. The museum is located in the Villa des Arénes, a 17th century villa in the neighborhood of Cimiez. The villa is composed of breathtaking views best appreciated near the Cimiez monastery used by the Franciscan monks since the 16th century. Like much of the French Riviera all the best views are usually atop a treacherous hill and this was no exception. Matisse’s fondness for bright and expressive color is well denoted by the building’s exterior décor. The museum’s permanent collection is an eclectic mixture of photos,
drawings, sculptures, books and paintings all by Matisse himself (free to the public during the time of our visit), and a treat to anyone with an appreciation for modern art (if you’re ever in need of a local Matisse fix visit the Cone collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art).