A fascinating glimpse of the Franciscan order from the 13th century onward, this museum within a living monastery harks back to a time when the church was a repository of scholarship and art. Home to an abundance of historical works, the monastery juxtaposes the austerity of a monk's life with the artwork of the church itself. Especially notable is an impressive gilt and wooden altarpiece by the Brea brothers. The hilltop location, where Matisse is buried, affords a terrific view of the city.

This turn-of-the-century mansion is the site for a fine collection of "naive" art, a genre known as a forum for unschooled and untrained artists. Mr. and Mrs. Anatole Jakovsky donated this extraordinary ensemble of work to Nice in 1982. Jakovsky, a naive art connoisseur, provided more than 600 works that span 200 years and hail from around the world, each piece capturing the genre's development from the 18th century onward.

This museum offers insightful glimpses into the ongoing history of the Nice-Piémont region via paintings, furniture, decorations, weapons, uniforms, and other artifacts.

Matisse called Nice home from 1917 to 1954 and this fine museum is located across the street from his former residence. The stunning 17th-century villa houses a remarkable permanent collection, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs, plus some of the furniture and possessions that feature in his paintings. Cimiez is also home to Nice's annual jazz festival and extensive Roman ruins. Olive groves surround the museum, and it's just a short walk to the nearby cemetery where the artist is buried.

There is an impressive array of antiquity on display at this superb museum. Rare and unique artifacts preserve aspects of Cambodian, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cultures with items such as precious stones and metals, sandstone sculptures, fashions, textiles, decoratives, and contemporary art.