Things to See in Nice

The Musée National Message Biblique Marc Chagall houses the largest public collection of works by Belarusian painter Marc Chagall (1887-1985), known for his characteristic flying animals, flowers, violinists and kissing couples.The exuberant swathes of colour used by Chagall to illustrate Old Testament themes are set off by the severity of this purpose-built museum.

The Musée Matisse, 2km north of the centre, houses a splendid assortment of works by Henri Matisse. Its permanent collection is displayed in a red-ochre 17th-century Genoese villa overlooking the olive-tree-studded Parc des Arènes. Temporary exhibitions are hosted in the futuristic basement building.

Vieux Nice's eastern extremity is flanked by Parc du Château, a towering 92m-high rock offering a cinematic panorama of Nice and the Baie des Anges.