matisse“When I realized

I would see that light

every morning,

I could not believe

my happiness.”

On the French Riviera,retracing Matisse’s footsteps

ByEdigraphie

Designed and producedby the Culture and Tourism DevelopmentDept.and the Communication Dept. of NiceCôte d’Azur - 2011.

Cover

“When I realized I would see that light everymorning, I could not believe my happiness.”Quoted by Georges Salle, in the preface to theexhibition catalogue Henri Matisse, Nice, 1950

« Nu Bleu IV » (Blue Nude IV), 1952Gouache paper cut-out,charcoal sketch, 103 x 74 cmMatisse Museum, NiceDirection des Musées de France, JeanMatisse donation, on loan from the State,1978Photo: François Fernandez © Succession Henri Matisse

Photo: Rauba Capeu, Nice© Olivier Monge, 2003

Matisse and the Côte d’Azur,the alchemy of a passion

When the 48-year-old Henri Matisse discovered Nice, theencounter felt like a revelation. The quality of the daylight and thesparkling Mediterranean awoke such echoes in the master colouristthat he remained loyal and unshakeably devoted to the Côte d’Azurever after. The painter was to live almost 40 years in the regionaround Nice, and drew from it an inspiration which is to be seenin work of great sensitivity, dedicated to meaning and beauty.

From Nice, where he lived for 27 years, to Eze, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and Cagnes-sur-Mer, not forgetting his encounters with Renoir in retirement atVence during the war, Matisse set his flamboyant imprint on thislight-filled and richly coloured land.

Nice Côte d’Azur invites you to inspect the unparalleled riches ofour land as you review this Modern Master’s inspired career,teeming with creativity.

CChhrriiss ttiiaann EESSTTRROOSSIIMP for Alpes-Maritimes

Mayor of NicePresident of Nice Côte d’Azur

Lantosque

Utelle

Duranus

Coaraze

Levens

La Roquette-sur-Var

Saint-BlaiseSaint-Martin-

du-Var

Tourrette-LevensCastagniers

Carros

Saint-JeannetVence

La Gaude

Aspremont

Colomars FaliconSaint-André-

de-la-Roche

Saint-Laurent-du-Var

Cagnes-sur-MerSaint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Villefranche-sur-Mer

La Trinité

Nice

EzeCap d'Ail

Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Not to be missed� The historic town

With its elliptical layout, Vence isone of the few towns to havepreserved its ramparts, againstwhich people were allowed tobuild their houses starting in the15th-century stalls. Themediaeval town offers manyinteresting sights: picturesquestreets, fountains (includingFontaine du Peyra), the formerbishop’s palace and the Villeneuvecastle-Fondation Émile Hugues.

� Cathedral of Vence dedicatedto Notre-Dame de la Nativité

First built in the 4th century onthe site of an ancient Romantemple, the Cathedral acquired itspresent form in the 12th century.It has many listed remains, amosaic by Marc Chagallrepresenting ‘Moses Saved fromthe Water’ (baptistery), splendid15th-century stalls and 17th, 18thand 19th-century woodenpolychrome statues.

Villa Le Rêve in 1943 and today

In 1943, Matisse rented Villa LeRêve in Vence to get away fromNice, under threat of bombing.He planned to stay only a fewweeks, but, deeply touched by the

prevailing light and the charm ofhis home, with its terrace andflowers, “the fine plumes of itspalm trees that fill the windows,”he remained five years. In Vence,Matisse went to see his friendsGide and Rouveyre, and received

visits from Picasso, Aragon, Bretonand Bonnard. This beautifulhouse, which has belonged to thetown since 2000, is now a homefor established artists and also foramateurs who enrol for coursesand have the opportunity toexpress their art in thesurroundings which captivatedMatisse. The importance of thepresence of artists in Vence startingin the 20th century incited theChâteau de Villeneuve-Fondation Émile Hugues, in1992, to become a haven formodern and contemporary art onthe French Riviera. A donation bythe Matisse family has just enrichedthe collection. A visit to theFoundation in its fine 14th-centurylordly chateau quite naturally leadsto exploring the lovely historictown of Vence. Strollers canadmire the well-preserved rampartswith five remaining gates, narrowstreets and houses that havesurvived the ravages of time,squares and fountains and ancientRoman inscriptions.

Matisse in Vence“This work has taken me four years ofconstant exclusive work; it is the resultof my entire active life.”

(June 1951, letter by Matisse read by Father Couturier at the inauguration of the Chapel, then printed in L’Art Sacré, no.11-12, July-August 1951)

Nature morte aux grenades(Still life with pomegranates), 1947

oil on canvas, 80.5 x 60 cm - Matisse Museum, Nice

Photo: City of N

ice - © Succession Henri Matisse

The historic town of Vence

©Pom

pidou Centre, Kandinsky Library - Hélène Adant Collection

© City of Vence / D.Zintzmeyer

Photograph by J. Audry ©Succession Henri Matisse

vence

Some time before leaving Vence,Matisse agreed, out of friendshipfor the Dominican Sister JacquesMarie who had once posed as a

model for him, to decorate theRosary Chapel. The painter hadfirst thought only of thewindows. But he ended upworking on the very design andthe completion of the RosaryChapel. This realization is hisspiritual will. A major work heenjoyed calling his masterpiece,“despite all its imperfections,” a place one cannot visit withoutemotion. As you walk along theBoulevard Henri Matisse, all thatcan be seen of the Chapel is theblue-and-white tile roof and tallwrought-iron cross. Once inside,the beauty of the volumes defined byMatisse, solid white, simple andpure on the floor, walls andceiling are fascinating.Lemon yellow (light),

Here, Matisse painted:Femme à la robe blanche (Woman in a white dress) - Intérieur rouge (Red interior) -Nature morte sur table bleue (Still life on blue table) - La liseuse à la tablejaune (Woman reading at a dressing table, Matisse Museum collection Nice) - Nature morteaux grenades (Still life with pomegranates, Matisse Museum collection Nice) - Jazz (MatisseMuseum collection Nice) - Les Abeilles (Bees, Matisse Museum collection Nice).

Things to know� Rosary Chapel466, Avenue Henri-MatisseTel: +33 (0)4 93 58 03 26e-mail: dominicaines@wanadoo.fr

� Château de Villeneuve -Fondation Émile HuguesA haven for modern and contemporary art2, Place du FrêneTel: +33 (0)4 93 24 24 23.Closed Mondays, open from 10am to12:30pm and from 2pm to 6pm. Guided visits available. Email:artculturepatrimoine@wanadoo.frwww.museedevence.com

� Villa Le Rêve261, avenue Henri Matisse, visible fromthe road to the Chapelle du Rosaire. No visits. Weekly painting classesoffered, with lodging from April toOctober, without lodging fromNovember to March. More informationon www.villalerevevence.com

� Tourist Bureau (Office de Tourisme de Vence)Place du Grand Jardin (06140)Tel: +33 (0)4 93 58 06 38e-mail: officedetourisme@vence.frwww.vence.fr

� How to get thereBy car: approximately 20km from Niceto VencePublic transport by coach: Lines 400 &94, stop: Halte Routière de l’Ara.www.lignesdazur.com

bright green (plant life), pureultramarine blue (the Mediter -ranean sky) give the stained glassfrank colours that transcend thelight. Everything here is sublimeharmony, majestic simplicity, sovisitors can feel, in Matisse’s ownwords, “purified and relieved oftheir burdens.”

Rosary Chapel, VenceAltar, Virgin and Child and Way of the Cross

Rosary Chapel, Vence - The spire

Photo by H.Del Olmo - © Succession Henri Matisse

Photo by H.Del Olmo - © Succession Henri Matisse

Photo: City of N

ice - Musée Matisse

© Succession Henri Matisse

Purple chasuble for the season of Advent and LentCollection Château de Villeneuve/

Fondation Émile HuguesDonated by Sister Jacques-Marie

Photo François Ponçin - © Succession Henri Matisse

vence

Rosary Chapel, VenceSanctuary with stained-glass window, altar and Saint Dominic

Villa des Collettes in 1917 and today

In Cagnes-sur-MerMatisse met Renoir“I look out over Nice, I am at Col deVillefranche, with the sun rising behindme. I can see the first colours appear onthe mountains towards Cagnes...”

(In Correspondance Matisse-Camoin, published by Danielle Giraudy, Revue de l’art n°12, 1971)

On 31 December 1917, Matissevisited the great painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir in his Villa desCollettes. This meeting delightedthem both and was followed by

many others, during whichMatisse showed Renoir what hewas painting in Nice, at the BeauRivage. Alongside his elder,thanks to their conversations,Matisse was able to sharpen hisperception of the very specialcolours of the ‘Midi’. He wascomfortable in this peaceful

home and garden with itscenturies-old olive trees where he,too, set up his easel. Renoir spentthe last twelve years of his life atLes Collettes until 1919. Matissewas very impressed with themaster’s courage, despite thesevere physical constraints of hisillness: “Never have I seen sohappy a man and I have promisedmyself that, in my turn, I will notbe cowardly.” The Villa has beena municipal museum since 1960,one of the most movingtestimonials to one of thefounders of Impressionism.Everything has remained in place:furniture, objects, studio... no one can remain indifferent tothis little paradise on earth,aficionados and novices alike.With eleven of the master’spaintings and many of hissculptures, the Renoir Museum isin a flower garden, with the farmof Les Collettes, so oftendepicted by the artist.

Not to be missed� The mediaeval villageThe mediaeval village offers a maze ofsloping cobbled streets, vaultedpassages, flower-decked steps,remarkable houses, unusual vistas,restaurants, artists’ studios and craftsshops, like Terraïo, displaying itsturquoise faience creations for thirtyyears near the Castle. At the entrance,stands a chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Protection, decorated withmurals dated 1530.

� Grimaldi Castle-MuseumIt dominates the mediaeval village withall its nobility. A municipal museumsince 1946, this listed historic buildinghouses the “Musée ethnographique del’olivier” (ethnographic museum of theolive tree), the Suzy Solidor Donationand temporary exhibitions ofcontemporary art.

� Espace SolidorLike many other artists, Suzy Solidorlived in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Her house,located on Place du Château, hasbecome an artist’s workshop andexhibition space dedicated tocontemporary jewellery (consequently,Cagnes-sur-Mer the “Ville & Métiersd’Art” (City of Arts and Crafts) label.

Renoir’s studio at the Renoir Museum

Jardin de Renoir (Renoir’s garden), 1925Oil on wood panel, 37.8 x 46 cm

Switzerland, Private collection

© Succession Henri Matisse

© City of Cagnes-sur-Mer Com

munication Department

© City of Cagnes-sur-Mer Com

munication Department

© City of Cagnes-sur-Mer Com

munication department

cagnes-sur-mer

history and perceive its proudnature. With each step, newlandscapes enchant the eye and,climbing slowly towards theGrimaldi Castle-Museum to thetower, there appears a grandiose

From the seafront recentlyredesigned in contemporary style,elegant and planted with trees,you can glimpse the mediaevalvillage of Haut-de-Cagnes as didMatisse on his first visit to Renoir.The old Provençal stronghold hasretained some of its mystery anddiscloses itself as you advancetowards it. Nothing should bemissed of its many sloping streets,its houses (some of which datefrom the 15th century), its stepscovered with flowers, to savour its

Things to know� Renoir MuseumChemin des CollettesTel: +33 (0)4 93 20 61 07Closed Tuesdays, Christmas Day,New Year’s day & 1 May. Open from10am till noon and from 2pm to 5pm(6pm from 2 May to 31 Oct).Free parking.Guided visits on Wednesdays andSaturdays, and Sunday afternoon.

� Grimaldi Castle-MuseumHaut-de-Cagnes, Place GrimaldiTel: +33 (0)4 92 02 47 30

+33 (0)4 92 02 47 35Closed Tuesdays, Christmas Day,New Year’s day & 1 May. Open from10am till noon and from 2pm to 5pm(6pm from 2 May to 31 Oct). Guided visits on Wednesdays andSaturdays, and Sunday mornings.Free shuttle from Bourdet square.

� Hippodrome de Cagnes-sur-Mer (racecourse)Horseracing in winter and summer.Information: +33 (0)4 92 02 44 44

� Tourist Bureau of Cagnes-sur-Mer6, boulevard Maréchal-Juin (06800)Tel: +33 (0)4 93 20 61 64In the mediaeval village of Haut-de-Cagnes Tel: +33 (0)4 92 02 85 05Antenne du Cros-de-Cagnes: Tel: +33 (0)4 93 07 67 08www.cagnes-tourisme.comwww.cagnes-tourisme.com/blogwww.cagnesres.com

� How to get thereBy car: A8 motorway, exit at Cagnes-sur-Mer.Public transport by coach toCagnes-sur-Mer: Lines 94, 200, 400 and 500www.lignesdazur.com

Here, Matisse painted:Oliviers, jardin de Renoir à Cagnes (Olive trees, Renoir’s garden in Cagnes), 1917 -Paysage de Cagnes avant l’orage (Landscape in Cagnes before the storm), c.1918 -L’automne à Cagnes (Autumn in Cagnes), 1918 - Maison entre les arbres (Housebetween the trees), 1919.

panorama. This mediaeval fort built in 1310 by RainierGrimaldi, Lord of Cagnes and Admiral of France, wasoriginally a defensivewatchtower.In the 17th century, it became a fine lordly home with thecharm and opulence of a truepalace. Acquired by the City ofCagnes-sur-Mer in 1937, theGrimaldi Castle-Museum offersvisitors an opportunity todiscover remarkable collectionsranging from ethnography tocontemporary art, as well asrooms with exceptional paintedceilings in the Baroque style.

The mediaeval village

Hippodrome de la Côte d’Azur (racecourse)

Street in Haut-de-Cagnes

Le Carnet de dessins (sketchbook), 1946Black & white photoMatisse Museum, Nice

© Brassaï Estate/RMN - © succession Henri Matisse

© Olivier Digoit

© Olivier Digoit

© Nice & You

cagnes-sur-mer

In 1917, at the age of 48, thepainter came here to recover frombronchitis. He remained hereuntil the end of his life in 1954.From his little room at Hôtel BeauRivage - an elegant 4-star hotelover a century old, whose entrancecan be admired on Rue Saint-François-de-Paule - Matisse couldglimpse the sea and the play oflight. Dazzled, he rented a flat justa few metres away at 105 Quaides États-Unis for his studio.

In 1918, he moved to Hôtel de la Méditerranée & de laCôte d’Azur (gone today),where he stayed four years;Matisse long remembered thisplace that had so inspired him.Today, with much of its pastluxury restored, the Palais de laMéditerranée, located on thePromenade des Anglais, renewsitself over time and finds itsformer splendour. Behind theimmense façade (a listed historic

You are at the gates to Nice,already on Promenade desAnglais: a striking image,exchanges of bewitching blue,gentle sunshine, theMediterranean accompanyingyour steps for several kilometres...Like Matisse, you are discoveringthe magic of the Riviera.

Not to be missed� Jardin Albert Ier

The link between Promenade desAnglais and Quai des États-Unis, thisvast garden bounds Place Masséna,the city centre with its shopping area,luxury shops and hotels. Thebandstand evokes the charm of yore,while the Theatre in the Green(Théâtre de Verdure) and BernarVenet’s Arc add a modern touch.

� Cours Saleya

In addition to the flower and fruit-and-vegetable markets, Cours Saleyais lined with restaurants and caféswith their broad terraces brimmingwith life day and night; it hosts anantiques market every Monday.

� Baroque treasures of Old Nice

The Old Town of Nice is rich with asplendid Baroque heritage. Churches,chapels and palaces, like the PalaisLascaris Museum, illustrate the pastfor strollers.

“I decided never to leave Nice, and remained there nearly my entireexistence”.

(quoted in the preface by Georges Salle to the exhibition catalogue“Henri Matisse, Nice, 1950”)

Nice, the sea frontand the old town

Palais de la Méditerranée, 1935And Palais de la Méditerranée today

nice

© Fabrice Ram

bert

© Jean Gilletta

Intérieur à Nice - la sieste(Interior in Nice - the nap), 1922

oil on canvas, 66 x 54.5 cmMnam / Cci, G. Pompidou, Paris

Photo: CNAC/MNAM

Dist.RMN/Jacqueline Hyde - © Succession Henri Matisse

Photo by Agathe Maury

Nice and Baie des Anges

Things to know� Nice Tourist & Congress Bureau(Office du Tourisme et des Congrès)5, Promenade des Anglais Tel: +33 (0)8 92 707 407www.nicetourisme.com

� Guided tours of Old Nice* A guided walk [French/English] throughthe alleys of the old town, exploring itshistory and curious features. EverySaturday. 2 1/2 hours, starts 9:30am.

� Tour of “Art in the City"*Guided tour looking at the works of artalongside the tramway: a real open-airmuseum. Guided tours in French/English on Fridays. 2 1/2 hours, startingat 7pm.

� Nice: The Grand TourDiscover Nice in an open-top bus. Leaves from in front of the Jardin Albert 1er. Details from the Nice Tourist& Congress Bureau (Office du Tourismeet des Congrès).

� Petit train de Nice [little railway]45min round trip by the sea, Old Niceand the Castle. Leaves from in front ofthe Meridien Hotel.

� French Riviera PassA single ticket for exploring Nice andthe greater Nice area.On sale at the Nice Tourist & CongressBureau (Office du Tourisme et desCongrès).

*Booking required: offices of the Nice Tourist & Congress Bureau (Office du Tourisme et desCongrès), or by telephone or online.

Here, Matisse painted:Autoportrait (Self-portrait) - Ma chambre au Beau Rivage (My room at the Beau Rivage) -La Baie de Nice (The Bay of Nice) - Intérieur, femme lisant en manteau écossais(Interior, woman reading in a plaid coat) - Le Violoniste à la fenêtre (Violinist at the window) -Intérieur à Nice (Interior in Nice) - Fête des fleurs (Flower fête) - Tempête à Nice (Stormin Nice, Matisse Museum collection, Nice) - Decorative figure against an ornamentalbackground - Odalisque au coffret rouge (Odalisque with a red casket, Matisse Museumcollection, Nice) - Petite Pianiste robe bleue fond rouge (Little pianist, blue dress, redbackground, Matisse Museum collection, Nice) - Nu dans l’atelier (Nude in the studio).

landmark), the contemporarytouch and the harmony betweenthe residential and festivefunctions recall the persistence ofthis singular establishment in thecreative sphere. This is where thefirst great Matisse exhibition washeld in Nice in 1946. In 1950, asecond exhibition devoted to thepainter, very much involved inmodern art in Nice, inauguratedGalerie des Ponchettes.

This is the start of the great artadventure on the Côte d’Azur. Itbegins with the opening of manymuseums.

You are facing the sea, irresistiblyattracted to Cours Saleya, livelyand colourful, just behind you.On Place Charles-Félix at its eastern end stands a finebuilding. This is where Matisseonce lived: first on the thirdfloor, later on the fourth floor, in a larger flat overlooking all ofBaie des Anges.

nice

La Vague, 1952 (The Wave, 1952) - Gouache paper cut-out, 51.5 x 160 cm - Matisse Museum, Nice

© Succession Henri Matisse

© City of N

ice - Matisse Museum

The building at No. 1, Place Charles-Félix,where Matisse once lived

© Collection Com

munauté Urbaine Nice Côte d’Azur - Photo : François Fernandez.

© Paul Louis

Matisse at the inauguration of Galerie desPonchettes, 1950

Place Masséna “Art in the City” guided tourJaume Plensa “Conversation in Nice” 2007

© Nice & You

The market on Cours Saleya

Behind Place Charles-Félix whereMatisse resided, the Castle Hill,90 metres high, draws all yourattention. Climb to thiswonderful public parkoverlooking the city and the sea,to breathe in the delightfulfragrances of its typicallyMediterranean vegetation. Fromthis exceptional viewpoint that

you can also discover the Port of Nice, a splendid harbour ofmodest size, lined with Italianatefaçades.At No. 50 Boulevard Franck-Pilatte, the dynamic ClubNautique de Nice remembers: in 1927, a new member came tojoin. His name? Henri Matisse.Enthralled with canoeing, the

The port of Niceinspired the painter“...I love canoeing. I do it everyafternoon and paint only in themorning when the light is right”.

(Interview with Tériade, excerpt from “Visit to Henri Matisse”, L’Intransigeant, 14 & 22 January 1929)

Here, Matisse painted:Les Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus trees) -Mont-Alban (Mont-Alban Fort) - La Villa bleue (Blue Villa) - Plage àNice vue du Château (The beach ofNice seen from the Castle Hill).

Not to be missed� The Castle HillThe Castle Hill is a wonderful place tostroll; at nightfall it comes alive withmagical lights. It is accessible on foot,by lift or by car. Now a park, it hassome remains of the old citadel,destroyed in the 17th century, ofwhich only Tour Bellanda remains,overlooking the sea.

� Quai Rauba CapeuConnecting Quai des Ponchettes andthe Port, thisprojection onthe sea offersresolutelycontemporaryarchitecturerewarded by aspecial prizefor urbanplanning andprovidesstrollers withtrulyastoundingvistas.

� Museum of Modern andContemporary ArtNot far from the Port, near PlaceGaribaldi, this great museum with itsfour towers connected by galleries,illustrates the commitment of the Cityof Nice to contemporary art, withpermanent collections (works fromthe School of Nice in particular) andtemporary exhibitions.Information: +33 (0)4 97 13 42 01

� FlorianAt 14 Quai Papacino, the formerChocolaterie Florian, well known toMatisse, is now called ConfiserieFlorian. Free guided tours in fivelanguages.Information: +33 (0)4 93 55 43 509am midday and 2pm - 6:30pm.Every day except 25 Dec.

painter loved rowing. His 154outings at sea in nine monthsearned him a medal for assiduity,a source of great pride for him.Just a stone’s throw from thePort, towards Villefranche-sur-Mer, the residential Mont-Boron district is a peaceful leafyhaven with a grandiosepanorama on the MediterraneanSea. This is where Matisse soughtrefuge with his son Pierre in1918 when he had to leaveHôtel Beau Rivage.

nice

Matisse rowing in the Port of Nice

Photo: M

atisse Archive (D.R)

© Succession Henri Matisse

Rauba Capeu, Nice© Olivier Monge, 2003

Odalisque au coffret rouge(Odalisque with a red casket), 1926

oil on canvas, 50 x 65 cm - Matisse Museum, Nice

You leave the seafront to headtowards Cimiez. Near LycéeMasséna, you will see RueDésiré-Niel where, in 1931,Matisse took over a former

garage temporarily converted intoa studio at No. 8. The spaceavailable was ideal for the workunderway, a commission from the

famous American collector, Dr Albert Barnes, for the maingallery in his Foundation. This was ‘The Dance’, amonumental work for which thepainter resorted to the techniqueof gouache-covered paper for the first time.Along Boulevard de Cimiez, youare charmed by the fine buildingson either side, witness to thesplendour of the Belle Époque inNice. You see the imposingsilhouette of the Régina, oncethe majestic residence of QueenVictoria, where Matisse boughttwo flats on the third floor in1938. This vast living area wherehe also made his studio, filledwith vases, furniture, plants,fabrics and wall hangings, was hislast home: he died there on 3 November 1954.Matisse now rests in a special areaof the Cemetery of Cimiez, wellkept up and always decked withflowers.

Matisse in Cimiez“Most people come here for the lightand the picturesque. I am fromNorthern France; what struck me werethe great flashes of colour in Januaryand the luminous daylight”.

(Yves Bridault, 1952, “J’ai passé un mauvais quart d’heure avec Matisse” ‘I had a hard time with Matisse’ - Arts, n° 371, 13 August 1952)

Not to be missed� The Matisse MuseumSee following page.

� Matisse’s tombLocated in the Cemetery of Cimiez, it is opento the public: entry left of the Monasterychurch, then follow the signs.

� The church of the Monastery of Cimiez and its gardenThis Franciscan church dedicated to “Notre-Dame” houses, among other splendours, afamous Pietà, one of three fine Late Gothicworks by Louis Bréa, the cloister and areligious museum. The Monastery Garden isa very popular place to stroll, with itsbeautiful rose garden and a breathtakingview on the city.

� The Amphitheatre of CimiezThis Roman amphitheatre is the oldestmonument of the city. It hosts folk shows, asthe May Celebrations or Lu Festin de Nissa,which takes place all May long, every year.

� The Archaeology MuseumBuild on the Gallo-Roman archaeological site,just a stone’s throw from the Amphitheatreand the Matisse Museum, it displayscollections of artefacts from the excavationsof the ancient Roman town of Cemenelum,witness to the great Mediterraneancivilizations and their rich trade.Tel: +33 (0)4 93 81 59 57

nice

The Monastery of Cimiez rose garden

© Nice Convention & Visitors Bureau

© Jean Gilletta

© City of N

ice, Photography Dept

Matisse’s workshop in Nice, rue Désiré NielPhoto: M

atisse Archive (D.R) - © Succession Henri Matisse

The west tower and wing of the Régina fromits private garden in 1897And the Régina today

Things to know� Matisse Museum

164, avenue des Arènes de Cimiez.Tel: +33 (0)4 93 81 08 08e-mail: musee.matisse@ville-nice.frwww.musee-matisse-nice.orgClosed Tuesdays and some publicholidays. Open 10 am to 6 pm.

� How to get there

Public transport:bus n° 15, 17, 20, 22 or 25 (get off at “The Arenes” or “CimiezMonastere"). Entry fee e1.www.lignesdazur.com

style villa with its red-ochrefaçades, expanded in 1993 withthe addition of a contemporarywing with pure discreet lines,houses works made by the artistthroughout his career, masterpiecesfrom his years in Nice in particularand, what is very interesting, a large number of personalpossessions that were the subjectof or elements in many of hiscompositions. The MatisseMuseum invites visitors to enterthe painter’s private creativeuniverse. The Museum’s new wingorganizes temporary exhibitions,and has an auditorium, a workshop for artistic teaching, a ‘cabinet de dessins’ created for

Located across from the Régina inthe Park of Cimiez, the MatisseMuseum is a perfect example ofsuccessful harmony between oldand modern. The fine Genoese-

Here, Matisse painted:La Danse inachevée (Unfinished Dance), 1931 - La Danse de Paris (The Dance,Paris version), 1931-1933 - La Danse de Mérion (The Dance, Barnes Foundation,Merion PA, USA), 1932-1933 - La Blouse roumaine (Romanian blouse) - Intérieurau vase étrusque (Interior with an Etruscan vase) - Nature morte à la dormeuse(Still life with sleeping woman) - Le Rêve (Dream) - Le Luxe (Luxury) - Nature morteau magnolia (Still life with magnolia) - Fauteuil rocaille (Rocaille armchair) -Nymphe dans la forêt (Nymph in the forest, la Verdure, Matisse Museum collection, Nice)- La Danseuse créole (Creole dancer, Matisse Museum collection, Nice) - La Vague(The wave, Matisse Museum collection, Nice) - Fleurs et Fruits (Flowers and fruit, MatisseMuseum collection, Nice) - Le Nu bleu IV (Blue nude IV, Matisse Museum collection, Nice).

nice

the Museum’s fortieth anniversary for the collection’s many drawingsand a shop. The painter enjoyedambling through the parksurrounding the Romanamphitheatre of Cimiez with itscenturies-old olive trees. It adds to the beauty of the site; Art andNature lovers never tire of it.

Inside the Matisse Museum

The park of the amphitheatre of Cimiez and its centuries-old olive trees

La Danseuse Créole (Creole Dancer), 1950gouache paper cut-out, 205 x 120 cm

Matisse Museum, Nice

© Succession Henri Matisse

Photo: City of N

ice - Photography Dept

Photo: City of N

ice - Matisse Museum

Photo: City of N

ice - Photography Dept

The Matisse Museum

Eze-Village, The Citadel of Villefranche-sur-MerVilla Kerylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Matisse’s publisher had a villa atSaint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Thepainter enjoyed visiting him,always dazzled by the light, thelandscape and the Mediterraneanenvironment that, between theland, the sky and sea, utterly

villefranche-sur-mer, saint-jean-cap-ferrat, beaulieu-sur-mer, eze

Matisse visitingCap-Ferrat“This is a land where light plays themain role; colour comes after... above all, you must feel that light, have it in you...”.

(Marchand, 1947)

Not to be missed� Saint-Jean-Cap-FerratThe harbour and its restaurantsThe seashell museumChapelle Saint-Hospice, which housesreproductions of Louis Marchand des RauxVilla Ephrussi de Rothschild3 hiking trails

� Villefranche-sur-MerThe 16th-century citadel and its threemuseums (sculpture and painting)The fishermen’s village and its bayChapelle Saint-Pierre decorated by Jean Cocteau

� Beaulieu-sur-MerThe Casino gardensThe Greek Villa KérylosThe yachting harbourBelle Époque architectural heritage

� EzeThe perched village, its narrow streets, art galleries and restaurants.The botanical garden and its exotic plants

Things to know� How to get thereBy car: East of Nice, on the Moyenne andBasse Corniche.Public transport by coach: Line 81 and line100 on the Basse Corniche (D6098) andline 112 on the Moyenne Corniche.www.lignesdazur.com

� Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Tourist BureauTel: +33 (0)4 93 76 08 90www.saintjeancapferrat.fre-mail: office-tourisme@saintjeancapferrat.fr

� Villefranche-sur-Mer Tourism &Culture Bureau (Office de Tourismeet de la Culture)Tel: +33 (0)4 93 01 73 68www.villefranche-sur-mer.com

� Beaulieu-sur-Mer Office of TourismTel: +33 (0)4 93 01 02 21www.beaulieusurmer.fr

� Tourist Bureau of EzeTel: +33 (0)4 93 41 26 00www.eze-riviera.com

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

© Olivier Digoit

© Office de Tourism

e de Beaulieu-sur-Mer

© Nice & You

© Villefranche-sur-Mer

enchanted him, so much so thathe sometimes stayed near theharbour at Villa Lou Mandiou.His son Pierre Matisse is buriedin the cemetery of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

1869

Birth on December 31 in Le CateauCambrésis (northern France);childhood in Bohain.

1887-89

Attendance at the Paris Law Schoolafter which he became a solicitors’clerk in Saint-Quentin, while taking artlessons at the École Quentin-Latour.

1890

First experience with painting, whileconvalescing.

1895

Admission to Gustave Moreau’sstudio at the Beaux-Arts in Paris,where he met Rouault, Camoin andManguin.

1898

Marriage to Amélie Parayre;honeymoon in London and visits toToulouse and Ajaccio (Corsica).

1901

Exhibition of his works at the Salondes Indépendants under Signac’spresidency and meeting withVlaminck.

1904

First personal exhibition at AmbroiseVollard’s gallery.

Key dates in the lifeof Matisse

1905

Summer in Collioure with Derain;exhibition at the Salon d’Automnewhere works by Matisse, Derain,Friesz, Manguin, Marquet, Puy,Rouault, Valtat and Vlaminckdisplayed together in one roomearned the artists the name Fauves(‘wildcats’ for their violent colours).

1909

Two murals on Dance and Musiccommissioned from Matisse byShchukin, an art lover from Moscow.

1910

Retrospective at the Bernheim Jeunegallery.

1912-13

Travels to Morocco with Camoin andMarquet.

1916

Arrival in Nice; first visit to Renoir inCagnes-sur-Mer.

1918

Exhibition at Paul Guillaume’s galleywith Picasso.

1921

Move to Nice where he would spendone half of the year, the other half inParis.

1922

Odalisques series.

1930-31

Travel to Tahiti and, at the end ofthe year, acceptance of a commissionby Dr Barnes for a large mural onthe theme of The Dance; rental of astudio at 8 Rue Désiré-Niel in Nice,to create The Dance.

1938

Move to the former Hôtel Réginaconverted into a block of flats on thehill of Cimiez.

1943

Temporary move in June to Villa Le Rêve in Vence to flee the threatof bombing in Nice.

1948

Beginning of work decorating theRosary Chapel for the DominicanSisters in Vence and use of gouachecut-outs.

1949

Return to the Régina in Nice.

1950

Major exhibitions in Nice and Paris.

1951

Inauguration on 25 June of theChapel in Vence; retrospectiveexhibition at the Museum ofModern Art, New York.

1952

Inauguration of the Matisse Museumin Le Cateau Cambrésis.

1953

Donation by Matisse to the City ofNice for the creation of a museumof four works - Nature morte auxgrenades (Still Life withpomegranates), La Danse créole(Creole Dance), Océanie le ciel(Oceania, the sky), Océanie la mer(Oceania, the sea) - and fourdrawings in the Themes andVariations series.

1954

Death in Nice on 3 November; finalresting place in Cimiez.

the life of matisse

Autoportrait - Grand Masque (Self-portrait - large mask), 1944

lithograph 53.9 x 37.9 cm Matisse Museum, Nice © Succession H.Matisse

Photo : City of N

ice - © Succession Henri Matisse

Femme à l’amphore(Woman with amphora), 1953Gouache paper cut-out,174.5 x 51.5 cm

Matisse Museum, Nice

Photo: CNAC/MNAM

Dist.RMN/Philippe Migeat - © Succession H.Matis

NICE CÔTE D’AZUR405, Promenade des Anglais 06202 Nice Cedex 3Tél. : +33(0)4 89 98 10 00 - Fax : +33(0)4 89 98 10 33www.nicecotedazur.org - info@nicecotedazur.org