A Russian jewel on the Côte d'Azur, this turn-of-the-century cathedral is Tsar Nicolas II's tribute to a late Tsarevitch claimed by tuberculosis in 1865. A polychromatic masterpiece of brick and marble, the cathedral is lauded as a superior example of sacred architecture. Renowned for its hand-carved woodwork, religious icons, and ornate beauty, St. Nicolas's most characteristic feature is its gilded onion domes, recognizable throughout the city.

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.