Museums: Masterpieces for Everyone

The Museum Pass Strategy

Before exploring individual museums, understand the money-saving options: - French Riviera Museum Pass: €15 for 24 hours, €20 for 48 hours - Individual museum free days: Usually first Sunday of month - Student/senior discounts: Widely available with ID - Group rates: Often starting at 10 people

Nice: Museum Capital

Musée Marc Chagall - Largest collection of Chagall's works - Biblical themes in luminous settings - €8 entry (€10 with temporary exhibitions) - Audio guide included - Garden perfect for reflection

Musée Matisse - Traces artist's evolution - Beautiful Cimiez setting - Free first Sunday of month - Otherwise €10 - Often uncrowded

MAMAC (Modern and Contemporary Art) - Nouveau Réalisme focus - Roof terrace with city views - Free first Sunday - Otherwise €10 - Yves Klein masterpieces

Musée Masséna - Belle Époque villa and history - Free gardens always - Museum €10 - Riviera's golden age explored - Beautiful architecture

Lesser-Known Gems: - Musée des Beaux-Arts: €10, often empty - Museum of Asian Arts: Free always - Palais Lascaris: Baroque palace, €10 - Archaeological Museum: Cimiez, €10

Antibes: Picasso's Playground

Musée Picasso - Château where Picasso worked - Mediterranean period focus - €8 entry - Sculpture terrace stunning - Photography prohibited

Monaco: Princely Collections

Oceanographic Museum - Spectacular cliff-top location - World-class aquarium - €16 (€11 reduced) - Allow 3 hours - Rooftop views free with entry

Prince's Palace - State apartments tour - €10 (April-October only) - Changing of guard free (11:55 AM) - Audio guide included

Menton: Cocteau Connection

Musée Jean Cocteau - Two locations - Bastion museum €3 - New collection €8 - Combined ticket €10 - Surrealist masterpieces

Village Museums

Fondation Maeght (Saint-Paul-de-Vence) - Modern art in nature - €16 entry - Architecture as art - Sculpture garden - Worth the price

Musée Renoir (Cagnes-sur-Mer) - Artist's home preserved - Gardens where he painted - €6 entry - Intimate atmosphere - Less crowded