Musée de Préhistoire de Terra Amata

About the museum

The museum stands on the very site of the Terra Amata excavation, a deposit that yielded some of the oldest hearths in human history, dated to about 400,000 years ago. The site was revealed in 1965, during construction work on a building, by Henry de Lumley and his team. A rescue excavation carried out from 28 January to 5 July 1966 uncovered 21 levels of occupation and more than 28,000 objects.

On the proposal of Henry de Lumley, the Nice city council decided to create a site museum. The museum opened on 16 September 1976 and remains the first site museum opened in France; in 1977 it received the museum of the year award. The façade is adorned with a monumental sculpture by the Nice-born artist Raymond Moretti, “La place de l'Homme dans le cosmos”. The museum has held the “Musée de France” label since the 2002 law.

For the 50th anniversary of the excavation, in 2016, the museum closed for four months to renew its displays. Around the large cast of an archaeological floor of more than 70 m², the route evokes the life of the first inhabitants of Nice, their environment, their tools (handaxes, cleavers) and the domestication of fire, with films, screens and interactive devices. The museum is closed again for accessibility works and is due to reopen in autumn 2026.

Highlights

• Museum built on the Terra Amata excavation site, the first site museum in France
• Large cast of an archaeological floor of more than 70 m²
• Route on the first inhabitants of Nice and the domestication of fire 400,000 years ago
• Films and interactive devices on stone tool-making
• Children's trail game and free visit app

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent : les premiers Niçois de Terra Amata – Environment, tools and dwellings of people 400,000 years ago, around the large cast of the archaeological floor and the domestication of fire.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Ville de Nice

Visitors per year

approx. 24,098

Admission & discounts

Free admission on proof for under-18s, students, job seekers, recipients of RSA, ASS and ASPA benefits, holders of the disability card, holders of the ICOM and ICOMOS cards, journalists, teachers (Pass Éducation), tour guides, employees of the City of Nice, of the Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur and of the CCAS, members of the friends' associations of Nice museums, and residents of the Métropole (Pass Musées provided free). School groups from the Métropole: admission and visit or workshop free; from outside the Métropole: €21. Payment in cash, by bank card, cheque or holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is closed for accessibility works.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children receive a free illustrated discovery questionnaire on arrival, with several levels depending on age. Workshops and guided tours for children from age 7; the trail game is in the app.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit