DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
ARC1-27
COST
£3195
DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
ARC1-27
COST
£3195
Our classic tour to the South of France is brimming with exquisite modern art. From a base in Nice, we will consider what drew Matisse, Picasso and others to the region, and experience their enduring creative legacies at dedicated museums and cultural sites.
Overview
From the late 19th century onwards, the vivid colours of the Côte d’Azur, as well as the region’s mild climate and dramatic landscapes, captivated a succession of Europe’s leading artists.
Following in Cézanne’s footsteps, Monet and Renoir both visited the south of France in the 1880s, while Signac famously sailed into St Tropez harbour in 1892 and stayed, later building a house and inviting other artists to join him. Matisse arrived in Nice in 1917, and it was not long before his friend and rival Picasso also journeyed to the Côte d’Azur.
During our week in Nice and its environs, we will consider what drew these and other artists to the south of France and explore the legacy they left in the region: from Matisse’s stunning Chapelle du Rosaire to Picasso’s work at the former Château Grimaldi in Antibes and Jean Cocteau’s ‘Salle des Mariages’ at Menton.
A number of these artists have museums dedicated to them, amongst which are the Musée Matisse, Musée Renoir, Musée National Fernand Léger and Musée Chagall. The latter is home to the twelve great paintings that make up the Biblical Message series, whilst the Musée Renoir offers an opportunity to visit the house where this great artist spent the final decade of his life. It contains a number of his paintings and sculptures, and boasts beautiful views towards the sea.
Above the beautiful walled village of St Paul de Vence lies the Fondation Maeght, its pine-wooded grounds adorned with works by Giacometti, Calder and Miró. The foundation possesses one of Europe’s most important collections of 20th century painting, drawing and sculpture: Braque, Chagall, Léger and Calder are all represented.
Through various walking tours of Nice and Menton, we will take time to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, architecture and stunning vistas of the region that undoubtedly generated creative inspiration for these artists.
Tour Director
Sarah Burles
Sarah Burles has a passion and enthusiasm for making art accessible, engaging and enjoyable, and runs tours, courses and online lectures. She is an accredited Arts Society lecturer.
This tour will be led by Sarah Burles, MA, who read History of Art at the University of Cambridge before studying for a Masters at University College London and going on to a career in museum and gallery education. This included 12 years at the Fitzwilliam Museum as well as work in other Cambridge museums. Sarah has a passion and enthusiasm for making art accessible, engaging and enjoyable, and runs tours, courses and online lectures. She is an accredited Arts Society lecturer.
– ACE customer on a 2025 Art on the Côte d’Azur tour led by Sarah Burles
Our Accommodation
We will stay throughout the four-star Hôtel Beau Rivage, located in the Old Town of Nice. Our accommodation resonates closely with the content of our tour as Henri Matisse resided here when he first moved to the South of France in 1917. Enchanted by the quality of light, Matisse took the hotel as an inspiration and painted numerous interior scenes here. Today the hotel offers us modern and elegant interiors, and is well-located beside the Promenade des Anglais.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 0950 on British Airways, arriving Nice 1300. Transfer to Hôtel Beau Rivage for seven nights. Afternoon visit to Musée Masséna (presenting the history of Nice, located in a 19th century villa).
Day 2
Morning lecture: The French Riviera – Art, Love & Life followed by walking tour of Nice. Afternoon: Fondation Maeght (20th century art including Miró, Chagall, Matisse and Léger).
Day 3
Morning lecture: Chagall followed by Musée National Marc Chagall (Biblical Message). Afternoon: Musée Renoir. Free evening.
Day 4
Morning lecture: Matisse followed by Musée Matisse. Afternoon: travel to St Paul de Vence for lunch, followed by Matisse’s celebrated Chapelle du Rosaire.
Day 5
Menton (Salle des Mariages) followed by Villa Kérylos (expertly reconstructed ancient Greek villa with frescoes and mosaics) and Villefranche-sur-Mer (Cocteau’s Chapelle de Saint Pierre des Pêcheurs).
Day 6
Morning in Biot: Musée National Fernand Léger. Afternoon in Antibes: Musée Picasso (Château Grimaldi) followed by Château Vallauris (Picasso collection and chapel). Free evening.
Day 7
Morning visit to Musée Bonnard followed by the FAMM Museum, Mougins (museum of works by female artists).
Day 8
Depart Nice 1355, arriving Heathrow 1505.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
A good level of fitness is required for this tour. Participants must be prepared to navigate steps and walk for up to a mile at a time, occasionally uphill, on uneven, cobbled and slippery ground and along narrow pavements. There is a short but steep climb to the Fondation Maeght. Some museums do not have lifts. For more information on our minimum fitness requirements, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £190.
Cost Details
Art Treasures of the Côte d'Azur: Impressionist & Modernist Masters
March 8 - 15, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a superior city twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, one lunch, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, superior city double room for single use supplement £375.
Upcoming Departures
Art Treasures of the Côte d'Azur (Second Departure)
18th May–25th May 2026
with Andrew Spira
Join Tour Director Andrew Spira for an exploration of dedicated museums and exceptional architecture along the stunning Côte d'Azur.
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