Musée des arts asiatiques de Nice

About the museum

The museum is housed in a building designed by the Japanese architect Kenzō Tange, winner of the Pritzker Prize in 1987. The building seems to float on a lake amid greenery; its white marble walls contrast with large glass surfaces. Its plan draws on two traditional Japanese forms: the square, symbol of the earth, and the circle, symbol of the sky.

The interior museography, by François Deslaugiers, displays objects in glass cases under carefully designed lighting. The building also includes a rotunda, a footbridge, a terrace and a tea pavilion.

The collections bring together court art, religious objects, everyday items and folk arts from across Asia, combining history, ethnography and decorative arts, with a few contemporary works. The routes cover China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Buddhism. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label and also offers guided tours, workshops, a meditative visit and a shop.

Highlights

• Kenzō Tange building on a lake, with footbridge, rotunda and terrace
• Collections from China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia
• Section devoted to Buddhism
• Tea pavilion and tea ceremony
• Meditative visit and workshops (origami, calligraphy, tai chi)

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes : Chine, Japon, Inde, Asie du Sud-Est et bouddhisme – Court art, religious objects, everyday items and folk arts from Asia, presented by major cultural areas.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Département des Alpes-Maritimes

Visitors per year

approx. 86,228

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Independent visits to the collections are free for individual visitors. Only guided tours, workshops and the tea ceremony are paid.

Accessibility

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

Access ramp at the entrance, a lift serving all exhibition levels, a wheelchair available at reception, and adapted toilets including on level -1. A free video guide in French Sign Language is available on request at reception; an easy-read visit guide in French can be downloaded; free guided tours for visually impaired visitors by appointment; adapted tours for people with intellectual disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Guided tours and workshops suited to families, family pricing and games to download. The museum holds the “Famille Plus” label.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Shop specialising in Asian products (books, postcards, handicrafts, textiles). Free cloakroom at the entrance for helmets, folding umbrellas and backpacks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Hire for evening events, cocktails, photo shoots and filming, for institutions and businesses; several bespoke packages.

Plan your visit