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Cimiez is the name given to a residential area of Nicebuilt on the hill of the same name, north-east of the city center. Tour Azur, organizer of excursions and transfers on the Côté d’Azur, gives you its best advice for enjoying this atypical place. In a nutshell:
- Cimiez is Nice’s historic hill, the site of the Roman city of Cemenelum and a Mecca of the Belle Époque.
- It boasts three major museums and an exceptional Franciscan heritage.
- The gardens are unique.
- Cimiez can be discovered in a day, just a stone’s throw from the center of Nice.
Where is Nice's Cimiez district?
Location
To be very precise:
- Average altitude: around 90 to 130 metres.
- Boundaries: between the Libération, Saint-Pancrace, Gairaut and Pasteur districts.
So it’s a long way from downtown and the old town. But it’s not a mountain hike either: allow 25 to 35 minutes’ walk from the SNCF station. Nice is also a great place to visit in 1 day or in 2-day depending on the time you have available.
Access
The main access to Cimiez is via Boulevard de Cimiez, which links the city center directly to the hill.
- By bus: Lines 5, 16, 18, 33, 40, 70, stop Arènes / Musée Matisse.
- By car: two free parking lots are available (Monastère and Musée Matisse), but they are often full at weekends or in high season.
- On foot: feasible if you’re in good shape.
History of Cimiez
This was the site of the Roman city from which Nice partly sprang. In ancient times, Cemenelum was a Roman city in its own right. It was home to :
- Roman baths (the ruins of which can still be seen near the archaeological museum),
- an amphitheatre (today’s Cimiez Arena),
- homes.
Meanwhile, on the coast, another city existed: Nikaïa of Greek origin, which served mainly as a commercial port.
In the Middle Ages, the inhabitants gradually moved from Cemenelum to Nikaïa.
Cimiez enjoyed its heyday during the Belle Époque (from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the First World War), when it became a favorite vacation spot for the kings and queens of Europe: Victoria, Edward VII, George V and Leopold II all stayed at Cimiez, and several streets in the town now bear their names.
What to see in Cimiez
Here’s our map to help you find the places we’re talking about.
Cimiez Arena
These are the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, built in the 1st century and abandoned in the IVᵉ century. Classified as a Historic Monument since 1965, this venue continues to host a variety of cultural events, perpetuating its ancient vocation as a performance venue.
It is open all year round.
The gardens of the Cimiez Arena
The place has several names:
- “Jardins des Arènes de Cimiez” → official name used by the City of Nice.
- “Parc des Arènes” → common name for the people of Nice.
- “Olive Garden” → popular nickname, because of the hundreds of century-old olive trees planted on the site.
It’s a popular strolling area for the people of Nice, appreciated for its century-old olive trees, shady lawns and unobstructed view over the city. Families come here to picnic, play or simply relax, just a stone’s throw from the Monastère and the Matisse Museum.
🕰️Horaires opening hours (free admission) :
- Summer (April to October): 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Winter (November to March): 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Cimiez Monastery and its garden
The monastery was founded in the Middle Ages by the Franciscans, who still live here today. Here you can admire :
- Sound church which houses three paintings by 15th-century Nice painter Louis Bréa.
- A small Franciscan museum located on the second floor of the monastery, recounts the daily life of the monks and the history of the convent.
- the Garden of the Cimiez Monastery designed in the Italian style. It is laid out in symmetrical terraces, with panoramic views over the city. La rose garden is home to over a hundred varieties. Visit vegetable garden the orchard and aromatic beds are also present. If you love flowers, have a look at our articles on Fragonard perfumery in Grasse or at Nice flower market.
🕰️ Practical information :
- Opening hours: 9am-6pm Tuesday to Friday.
- Admission: free.
- Recommended length of visit: 30 to 45 minutes.
Cimiez cemetery
It is accessible from Place du Monastère. However, it does not belong to the Franciscans: it is a municipal cemetery, managed by the City of Nice. It is home to the graves of many of Nice’s artistic figures, including :
- Henri Matisse, whose museum is right next door,
- Raoul Dufy,
- Roger Martin du Gard, Nobel Prize-winning writer.
🕰️ Practical information :
- Opening hours: 8.30am-5pm daily (November to February) and closes at 6pm (March to October).
- Admission: free.
- Recommended length of visit: 1h30.
The Archaeological Museum
The Museum is built on the ancient Roman city of Cemenelum and comprises two complementary sections.
🧱 First, the archaeological site of Cemenelum (open-air) the area around the museum, which can be visited on foot. You can see :
- Remains of Roman baths (three complexes: small, medium and large baths),
- The remains of a residential and shopping district,
- Sections of ancient streets,
- An early Christian complex (cathedral + baptistery).
🏺 Then, the building where we find :
- Objects discovered during excavations: pottery, tools, lamps, jewelry, mosaics…
- Models recreating the ancient city.
🕰️ Practical information :
- Opening hours: open every day except Tuesday, from 10am to 5pm or 10am to 6pm in summer.
- Price: €7, free for under-18s.
The Matisse Museum
It houses a collection unique in the world, featuring works and objects taken directly from the artist’s studio and from his heirs. This exceptional collection traces the artist’s career, from his beginnings to his maturity.
The museum also offers temporary exhibitions, as well as a rich cultural and educational program throughout the year.
🕰️ Practical information :
- Opening hours: open every day except Tuesday, from 10am to 5pm or 10am to 6pm in summer.
- Price: €10, free for under-18s.
Our top 3 must-see works:
- Still life with pomegranates.
- Dos II / Dos III.
- Reader at the yellow table.
The Chagall Museum
Away from all the places we’ve just listed, the Musée Chagall is nevertheless very much part of the Cimiez district, even if it’s located at its lower limit.
It is the only national museum in France built during an artist’s lifetime. Surrounded by Mediterranean gardens, it extends the peaceful, artistic ambience of the rest of the hill.
🕰️ Practical information :
- Opening hours: open every day except Tuesday, 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-5pm (November to April) and closes at 6pm (May to October).
- Prices: €8, free for under-26s.
Here are the Top 3 must-see works of art not to be missed during your visit:
- The Biblical Message.
- The Song of Songs.
- The stained glass window in the hall (or “The Creation of the World”).
The most beautiful residences in Cimiez
With the exception of Villa Paradiso, all these palaces are now luxurious residential buildings. They are not open to visitors, but can be admired from the street.
Excelsior Régina Palace
This immense palace was built at the end of the 19th century to welcome Queen Victoria of England. It was subsequently converted into a block of apartments and divided into apartments.
💡The painter Henri Matisse lived here from 1938 to 1943.
Opposite the building, a footbridge leads to the garden. Few of the original features remain today, but there is a lovely white marble statue of Queen Victoria receiving flowers from young girls. It’s known as
Villa il Paradiso
Located in the lower Cimiez district, Villa Il Paradiso was built in 1881 by architect Lucien Barbet for a wealthy businessman. Since then, its destiny has seen many twists and turns.
In 2025, the municipality is finally preparing to give it a new lease of life: an ambitious art center project will transform the site into a veritable “little palace of Cimiez” dedicated to contemporary creation.
Listed with its garden as a Monument Historique since 2021, the Villa is poised to return to its former glory.
Winter Palace
This former hotel was designed by the famous architect Charles Dalmas in 1900. It also boasts an immense park reserved for its residents. It features a rare innovation for its time: a roof terrace. Its Belle Époque architecture combines light facades and large bay windows.
Tony Pin Palace
Unlike the other Cimiez palaces, this was one of the first to be designed as a residence, not a hotel.
Living in Cimiez
Today, Cimiez is one of Nice’s most popular neighborhoods. Boosted by the presence of museums and heritage sites, Cimiez now attracts a younger population: working people and families attracted by its green environment, schools, nurseries and cultural and sports facilities.
The district also benefits from excellent accessibility: numerous bus routes, bicycle stations, proximity to CHU Pasteur and Clinique Saint-Georges, as well as rapid access to the A8 freeway.
At the time of writing, the average price per square meter is €5,000 for apartments and €6,000 for houses.
Our practical tips for visiting Cimiez
- Allow a full day to enjoy the museums, gardens and monastery without hurrying.
- Come by bus (lines 5, 33 or 70): parking lots are small and often full.
- Bring water, a hat and a picnic: the green spaces are perfect for a lunch break in the shade of the olive trees.
- Combine your visits: the Matisse and Archaeological Museums are located side by side.
- Round off your visit with the Chagall Museum, which is out of the way of all the places we’ve mentioned in this article.
Tour Azur takes you on a tour of Nice's Cimiez district
For over 25 years, Tour Azur has been accompanying travelers and professionals on their trips to the Côte d’Azur, with the same objective: to offer much more than just a trip.
Each itinerary becomes a tailor-made experience, combining comfort, elegance and safety.
Whether you’re traveling in a luxury minivan or a prestige vehicle like the Porsche Panamera, you’ll enjoy top-notch service from experienced private chauffeurs who know the Riviera and its finest secrets inside out.
From Nice to Monaco, Cannes to Saint-Tropez, Tour Azur offers you:
🚖 Private transfers (airports, train stations, hotels).
🚘 Chauffeur-driven vehicles for your business trips.
🌴 Shared or private tours to discover the most beautiful sites on the Côte d’Azur.
Which is Nice's chicest district?
Cimiez is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after. Perched on a hill, it boasts Belle Époque villas, elegant residences, renowned museums and a peaceful setting just a stone’s throw from the city center.
Other areas such as Mont Boron, Carré d’Or and Fabron are also highly sought-after, but Cimiez remains the historic benchmark of Nice chic.
What do people think of Nice's Cimiez district?
Most people have a very positive view of the Cimiez district. Here are a few recurring points of view.
✔️ Assets :
- Pleasant, quiet, well-frequented neighborhood.
- Unobstructed view from the hill.
- High quality of life with schools, green spaces, institutions and good accessibility.
- High property market, but in line with standing and demand.
⚠️ The drawbacks mentioned :
- Fewer local shops or street-side dynamism.
- The slope of the hill can be a slight hindrance.
- High property prices limit accessibility for certain profiles.
What can you do in Cimiez?
Read our article! The Cimiez district is a veritable melting pot of history, art and nature. You can visit several major museums:
- the Matisse Museum,
- the Archaeological Museum,
- the Musée national Marc Chagall.
Cimiez is also a haven of greenery:
- stroll through the Jardins des Arènes or under the hundred-year-old olive trees,
- discover the Franciscan Monastery and its Italian garden,
- or simply enjoy the panoramic view over Nice and the sea.
Last but not least, it’s the perfect neighborhood for strolling, picnicking, photographing Belle Époque villas or attending cultural events in the Parc des Arènes.
Where is the town of Cimiez?
Cimiez is not a town, but a residential district of Nice, located on a hill northeast of the city center.
