Visit museums dedicated to individual artists including Matisse, Chagall, Renoir, Picasso and Léger
Enjoy an excursion to the striking Modernist villa E-1027, the first architectural creation of Eileen Gray, containing exquisite furnishings
Discover the varied collections held at the Fondation Maeght, the Espace de l’Art Concret and the beautiful Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa
“The museums and galleries we visited were excellent… Andrew was not only extremely knowledgeable about (the entire) history of art but particularly insightful and inspiring about the particular art we saw on the tour. He is a real star and was so engaging.”
– ACE customer on the 2024 Art on the Côte d'Azur tour with Andrew Spira
We are pleased to announce that the Single Supplement for this tour has been reduced from £590 to £295
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 the footsteps of Cézanne, Monet and Renoir both visited the south of France in the 1880s. Matisse arrived in Nice in 1917, and it was not long before his friend and rival Picasso joined him on the Côte d’Azur.
During our week in Nice and its environs we will consider what drew these artists and others 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 National Fernand Léger and Musée Chagall, home to the twelve great paintings that make up the Biblical Message series.
Above the beautiful walled village of Saint-Paul de Vence lies the Fondation Maeght, its pine-wooded grounds adorned with work 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.
The Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa and Gardens, erected between 1907 and 1912 in the style of a Venetian palace, displays the superb collection of Baroness Béatrice. Paintings by the masters are shown alongside porcelain, furniture and decorative items from the 15th to the 19th century.
This departure will also include an excursion exploring minimal and abstract art, taking in the fascinating Cistercian Abbey at Le Thoronet and the nearby chapel of Sainte Roseline, with its Chagall mosaic, as well as the Espace de l’Art Concret, a contemporary arts centre housing abstract art in Mouans-Sartoux.
We will stay throughout at the Splendid Hotel & Spa in Nice, a stylish and centrally-located four-star hotel. Just a short walk from the Promenade des Anglais, our accommodation features comfortable rooms and panoramic views of the coast from its rooftop terrace.
Andrew Spira
Andrew studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and City University, London and has been leading tours to cultural sites in Russia, Armenia, Georgia and all across Europe for over 20 years.
This tour will be led by Andrew Spira, who studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and City University, London. He has worked as a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, and as a curator at the V&A Museum. Andrew was subsequently Programme Director at Christie’s Education, and has been leading tours to cultural sites in Russia, Armenia, Georgia and all across Europe for over 20 years.
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£3395
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