History of the impressive building
The palace was built in 1648 for the aristocratic Lascaris di Ventimiglia family of Italian origin. It is a masterpiece of Italian architecture and at the same time a striking representation of the bourgeois baroque of Nice. The Lascaris di Ventimiglia family owned the magnificent and luxurious building until 1802. In 1942, the Palais was bought by the city of Nice with the aim of turning it into a museum. Restoration work began and was completed in 1970. Thus, the museum was opened to the visitors. The noble house has been listed since 1946 as well as on the list of French historical monuments. In 2011, the palace opened its doors to the tourists worldwide as a museum of art and musical instruments.
The elegant baroque style of the palace
The magnificent building has four floors. The exterior facade is designed by the many different tasteful elements, details and structures. On the first floor on the ceiling, there are breathtaking and at the same time fascinating vaults. The vaults contain the motifs from mysterious mythology. The splendid mansion from the inside welcomes the visitors with lavish and ornately decorated reception rooms marked by the particularly good taste as well as the wealth of the noble family. Inside the palace there is a grandiose staircase decorated with stylish frescoes and richly coloured wall paintings. The exclusive tapestries, princely decorated chairs and sofas as well as other existing pieces of furniture, which perfectly represent the bourgeois baroque, reflect the atmosphere of that time.
The Palais Lascaris as a museum
The museum with the name "Musée de France" shows the art and music of the 17th as also the 18th century. The museum displays the collection of musical instruments owned by Antoine Gautier (1904) and the collection of the Gisèle Tissier-Grandpierre Foundation of the Institut de France. The important collection of musical instruments contributes to the enhancement of Nice, a city rich in history. There are also Flemish carpets, various pieces of furniture and faience collections from the Baroque period. The museum impresses with its atmosphere of the period, magnificent exhibits and luxurious furnishings.
Opening hours
- High season (June - mid-October) daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Low season daily from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Closed on Tuesdays
Tickets and prices
