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Museums of Art in Nice, France

There is perhaps no better way to enjoy 20th century art than to take a tour along the French Riviera.

In moving to the south of France, Van Gogh started a trend that was to continue well into the 20th century (and still does to some extent). Other especially famous artists who followed in his footsteps are Picasso and Matisse.

These artists all say the same thing - the light in this part of France is better than anywhere else, and the scenery - with the stark blues, yellows and greens (sea/sky, sunshine, nature) - is more attractive than elsewhere.

Nice has played an important role in this movement, above all with Matisse. Some of the popular art museums in Nice include!

The Matisse Museum: Matisse lived much of his life in the Cimiez region of Nice, and the city was bequeathed a significant number of his works, including some very well known examples.

These paintings form the basis of the very important collection held at the Matisse museum, which includes examples of many styles of Matisse' artwork and covering a large period of his working life.

The Chagall Museum in Nice has a very good collection by artist Marc Chagall - the largest in one place to be found anywhere in the world. Of particular note is the series of 17 paintings representing scenes from the Old Testament.

The Museum of Contemporary Art focussed more on the 1960's and the pop artists such as Andy Warhol and Yves Klein.

Stepping back in time to the 18th-early 20th centuries, there is also an impressive collection at the Nice Museum of Fine Art, taking us up to the late-impressionist painters