Musée Masséna

About the museum

The villa was built between 1898 and 1901 by the Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling in the Belle Époque style on the Promenade des Anglais. It served as the winter residence of Prince Victor d’Essling, grandson of Marshal André Masséna. The garden was designed by Édouard André and adjoins the Hotel Negresco.

In 1919, André d’Essling gave the villa to the City of Nice. It opened as a museum in 1921 and was restored between 1999 and 2008. The museum is now run by the City of Nice and presents the history of the region and of the Masséna family.

The ground-floor salons have kept their interior decoration, with furniture and art objects in the Empire style. The collections also include Napoleonic souvenirs, such as the emperor’s death mask, as well as paintings by 19th-century landscape painters from Nice. In the garden, a memorial honours the victims of the attack of July 14, 2016.

Highlights

• Napoleon’s death mask, made by Doctor Arnolt
• Mother-of-pearl diadem of Joséphine, a gift from Murat
• Ground-floor salons with Empire-style furniture
• Paintings by 19th-century Riviera landscape painters
• Garden designed by Édouard André

Permanent exhibitions

• Salons du rez-de-chaussée – Salons with their original decor, furniture, bronzes and lighting in the Empire style.
• Souvenirs napoléoniens – Napoleon’s death mask and Joséphine’s diadem, among the most remarkable pieces.
• Peintres de la Riviera au XIXe siècle – Paintings by landscape artists such as Joseph Fricero, Antoine Trachel and Alexis Mossa.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Ville de Nice

Admission & discounts

Free with proof for visitors under 18, students, job seekers, recipients of the RSA, ASS or ASPA, holders of the mobilité inclusion card, teachers with the Pass Éducation, tour guides, journalists, employees of the City, the Métropole and the CCAS, and members of museum friends’ associations. The Pass Musées de Nice is free for residents of the Métropole aged 18 and over (identity document and proof of address less than three months old; valid for three years).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

Step-free access for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Free for visitors under 18.

Getting there & parking

A cycling route via Géovélo is suggested on the museum’s page.

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