Galleries Galore Tour

It would be a shame to leave the French Riviera without seeing the cultural side of the region and some of the exceptional works of world-famous artists who were inspired by the local surroundings.

The galleries and museums dedicated to the work of big names such as Matisse, Chagall, Léger, Renoir and Picasso are dotted around the hills of Nice, Antibes, St Paul de Vence, Cagnes sur mer and Biot, so to cover the necessary ground and optimise your cultural day trip a driver and vehicle is ideal.

We've outlined a day trip in the itinerary section, but wonderful art galleries are plentiful on the Côte d'Azur, so if you would like us to tailor make an itinerary to include the cultural sights you have your eye on, just let us know.

THE ITINERARY :

1st STOP - St Paul de Vence Village

Head inland with your guide, just a 20 minute drive from the coast, to a beautiful medieval village which is picturesque and full of stories. 

Wander through the medieval streets in the footsteps of world-renowned artists to discover the little art galleries, workshops and historic monuments in this ancient village.

2nd STOP - Fondation Maeght

Hop back into the van for a 5 minute drive to the Fondation Maeght, one of the largest private collections of modern art in Europe.

Located within an exceptional estate where Giacometti, Miro, Chagall and Braque designed the villa and it's surrounding gardens as an integral part of the art collection. 

3rd STOP – Biot

After St Paul de Vence, we head west towards Antibes to visit the village of Biot, a cultural hub full of local arts & crafts. There is a great place to stop for lunch on the terrace of a local restaurant.

As you leave the village, your Friend in France guide will take you to the National Fernand Léger Museum located within the artist's own Riviera home.

3rd STOP – Nice

Follow the coastal road eastwards from Biot to Nice, or more precisely Cimiez – A hill steeped in history. Home to a large community of ancient Romans 2000 years ago and later the winter home of Queen Victoria during the Belle Epoque Era.

Today, Cimiez boasts two very important museums...

Chagall Museum– The Chagall Museum, created before the artist’s death, enabling him to contribute to the museum project himself, which is a rare  occurance. The collection brings together sculptures, paintings, etchings and stained-glass windows.... most of which are strongly inspired by his religious faith.

Matisse Museum – Located in a stunning XVIIth century villa overlooking the Roman ruins, this impressive collection includes: 236 drawings, 95 photographs, 57 sculptures, 218 engravings and 68 paintings. The art retraces the Artist's life work from his first canvases in 1890 to the brightly coloured ‘gouache’ paintings of his final years.