From Marseille to Nice, Summer Art Highlights along the Côte d'Azur
The Cultivist's Guide to the South of France!
Few places in Europe have drawn modern artists and collectors quite like the South of France. Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Gauguin were among the first to be inspired by its light and landscapes, followed by Matisse, Picasso, Léger, and Chagall. Today, the region is home to exceptional museums and foundations, from Antibes and Aix-en-Provence to Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Paul de Vence, and Arles. With direct flights to Nice from the Middle East, discovering its artistic legacy has never been easier (especially with our guide below!):
MARSEILLE
Marseille blends ancient heritage with a thriving contemporary scene, where layers of history meet bold artistic expression. From its Greek and Roman roots to the raw industrial charm of its cultural hubs, this port city has long-drawn creatives with an eye for the unexpected.
This summer, highlights include the Giacometti exhibition at Musée Cantini, which brings together rarely seen sculptures, drawings and paintings in a grand hôtel particulier. At MUCEM, Hervé Di Rosa reimagines the museum’s vast collections through his own colourful, comic-inspired lens.
Top tip: Just a short walk from the station, pop by Friche la Belle de Mai, a sprawling cultural centre brimming with exhibitions, performances and one of the best rooftop terraces in the city!
AIX-EN PROVENCE
Cézanne is enjoying something of a renaissance this summer. On 28 June, Jas de Bouffan, the estate in Aix-en-Provence where his family lived for 40 years, will open its restored rooms, gardens, and the artist’s very first studio to the public for the first time.
Nearby, the Musée Granet is hosting a major exhibition featuring more than 100 of Cézanne’s works. Highlights include Bather and the Rocks, The Four Seasons, The Card Player, and the beloved Still Life with Cherries and Peaches, all of which reveal the lasting influence of his family home.
Top tip: For an even deeper look into Cézanne’s world, visit the Bibémus Quarry. Its burnt-orange rocks and sparse pine trees, set against striking blue skies, inspired 11 oil paintings and 16 watercolours. These angular forms would go on to shape the foundations of Cubism.
ANTIBES
Antibes remains one of the most evocative stops on the Cézanne-to-Picasso trail along the Côte d’Azur. In 1946, Picasso took up residence in the Château Grimaldi, a medieval fortress overlooking the sea, where he produced a burst of new work in just a few months. Today, the building houses the Musée Picasso, home to an extraordinary collection of paintings, ceramics, and drawings he created during his stay, including La Joie de Vivre and The Sea Urchin Eater.
Just steps away, the old town of Antibes offers a charming mix of narrow cobbled streets, bustling markets, and sweeping views of the Mediterranean that have long attracted artists.
Top tip: Time your visit with golden hour and head to the ramparts for a view that once inspired the likes of Nicolas de Staël. It’s easy to see why so many artists found light and life in this corner of the Riviera!
ARLES
Few artists are as deeply connected to a place as Van Gogh is to Arles. Arriving in 1888, he created some of his most iconic works, inspired by the town’s vivid light and everyday life.
Today, the town honours this legacy while embracing contemporary creativity. The Van Gogh Route guides visitors through the sites that shaped his vision, including the Café de la Gare which inspired the infamous The Night Café.
A must-see is the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles which presents original works by the artist in conversation with contemporary artists and until October you can enjoy the retrospective dedicated to Sigmar Polke.
Top tip: Round off your culture-packed day with dinner at local favourite L'Oriel Restaurant which offers seasonal local produce including superb seafood!
SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE
Saint Paul de Vence captures a quieter, artistic side of the Riviera, with stone streets, ivy-covered façades and sweeping views down to the sea. Just beyond the village, some of the region’s most rewarding cultural stops await.
Start in Mougins at FAMM, a Cultivist-favourite new museum dedicated entirely to women artists. Opened by collector Christian Levett, the collection includes works by Berthe Morisot, Nan Goldin and Marina Abramović. Just opposite, L’Amandier is a perfect lunch stop between galleries!
In nearby Vence, the 'Matisse Chapel' (Vence Chapel) is a small but extraordinary space. Designed by the artist himself, its vivid stained glass casts dancing reflections across the white marble interior.
Over in Cagnes sur Mer, the Musée Renoir sits in a peaceful olive grove and offers a rare glimpse into the artist’s personal life, with many of his works still on view in the home where he lived and worked.
Back in Saint Paul, the Fondation Maeght celebrates its 60th anniversary with two major exhibitions. Hélène Delprat: Listen This is an Eclipse traces her artistic language within the foundation’s history, while Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life follows the sculptor’s evolution from early abstraction to spiritually resonant forms.
Top tip: Don’t miss the bookshop at Fondation CAB, filled with limited editions, rare design finds and beautiful views over Cap d’Antibes.
NICE
Nice captures the essence of the Riviera: sun-soaked, elegant and full of artistic flair. From the winding alleys of the Old Town to the turquoise sweep of the Promenade des Anglais, the city has long drawn artists with its light and laid-back charm.
This summer, two of the city’s most beloved museums are at the heart of the action. At the Musée Matisse, Matisse Méditerranée(s) revisits the artist’s ties to the region, exploring its languages, rituals and radiant light.
Just a 15-minute stroll away, the Musée Marc Chagall offers a deep dive into the artist’s mosaic works, many shown together for the first time. For something more contemporary, the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre presents underwater photography by Laurent Ballesta and haunting, eco-focused imagery by Manon Lanjouère.
Top tip: Take some time to walk the grounds of Musée Matisse which feature Roman ruins and peaceful gardens filled with olive trees and pines. Plus, don’t forget to admire the monumental Calder sculpture in front of the building!
