Modern Art Meander
France
The French Riviera and its hinterland produced more Modern Art masterworks per square kilometre than anywhere on earth, from Matisse's cut-outs in Nice and Chagall's biblical message to Renoir's olive grove studio, Picasso's antibes castle, and Cézanne's Mont Sainte-Victoire, ending with Van Gogh in St-Rémy.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Menton
Lemon capital of France, this Italian-border town has pastel Baroque facades and a town hall painted floor-to-ceiling by Jean Cocteau in 1957.
- Musée Matisse, Nice
Matisse spent 37 years in Nice; his adopted hilltop villa holds the world's finest collection of his paintings, drawings, and paper cut-outs.
- Musée Chagall, Nice
Built for Chagall's Biblical Message series, 17 monumental canvases glow in Mediterranean light. The largest permanent Chagall collection in the world.
- Renoir Museum, Cagnes-sur-Mer
Renoir spent his last 12 years painting outdoors here despite crippling rheumatism. The studio is preserved as he left it among 2,000-year-old olive trees.
- Picasso Museum, Antibes
Picasso worked in the Château Grimaldi for six months in 1946 and donated everything he produced there to the city. The sea-facing terrace is part of the display.
- Chapelle du Rosaire, Vence
Matisse designed every detail of this Dominican chapel, from the stained glass to the vestments. He called it his masterpiece and the culmination of his life's work.
- Aix-en-Provence
Cézanne's city. His preserved studio and the Route Cézanne lead to the viewpoints where he returned to paint Mont Sainte-Victoire obsessively until his death in 1906.
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Van Gogh committed himself to the Saint-Paul asylum here in 1889 and produced 150 paintings in 12 months, including Starry Night. The olive groves he painted are unchanged.
Where to Eat
- Le ChanteclerFrench Gourmet
A two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Nice offering exquisite French cuisine in an opulent setting.
- La Colombe d'OrProvençal
Historic restaurant in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, known for its art-filled ambiance and traditional Provençal dishes.
- Les Deux GarçonsFrench Brasserie
Iconic brasserie in Aix-en-Provence, once frequented by Cézanne, serving classic French fare.
- L'Oustau de BaumanièreMediterranean
Three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Les Baux-de-Provence, offering refined Mediterranean cuisine.
Things to Do
- Fondation MaeghtArt Museum
Renowned modern art museum in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, featuring works by Giacometti and Miró.
- Musée GranetArt Museum
Art museum in Aix-en-Provence showcasing works from the Renaissance to modern art.
- Les Baux-de-ProvenceHistoric Site
Medieval village perched atop a rocky outcrop, offering panoramic views and historic ruins.
- Carrières de LumièresArt Exhibition
Immersive art show in Les Baux-de-Provence, projecting masterpieces onto quarry walls.