Colline du Château & Museums

The Castle Hill

The Colline du Château (Castle Hill) rises 92 meters above the sea at the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais. Nothing remains of the medieval castle — Louis XIV had it demolished in 1706 — but the park is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Côte d'Azur: to the left, the Baie des Anges and the Promenade, to the right, the old port Port Lympia with its colorful houses, below the roofs of the old town.

You can reach the top on foot via the stairs at the end of Rue des Ponchettes (15 minutes, steep), with the free elevator (Ascenseur du Château) at Quai des États-Unis, or via the comfortable path from the port. At the top, there is a waterfall, remnants of the cathedral, shady benches, and a small bar.

The Great Museums

Nice has an exceptional museum landscape — many of them free. The city was the chosen home of Matisse (37 years), Chagall, and numerous other artists who sought the light of the Côte d'Azur:

• Musée Matisse (Cimiez) — In a Genoese villa from the 17th century, the museum displays the life's work of Henri Matisse: paintings, gouaches, sculptures, and the famous cut-outs. Matisse lived and worked in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954. Admission: free.
• Musée National Marc Chagall (Cimiez) — The only national museum dedicated to a living artist (opened in 1973): 17 large paintings on biblical themes, a concert hall with Chagall stained glass, and a mosaic in the garden. One of the most touching museums in Europe. Admission: 10€.
• MAMAC (Promenade des Arts) — The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: Yves Klein (a native of Nice), Niki de Saint Phalle, Arman, and the New Realists. The terrace offers a panoramic view over the old town. Admission: free.
• Musée Masséna (Promenade des Anglais) — In a magnificent Belle Époque villa directly on the Promenade: the history of Nice from the Savoy period to the tourism boom. The gardens are a green oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Admission: free.