Major summer exhibitions

From 7 May to 8 September, the Musée Matisse in the heart of Nice is staging a fascinating exhibition entitled “MATISSE MÉDITERRANÉE(S)“. Henri Matisse was constantly inspired by the light, colours and cultures of the Mediterranean, which became an essential source of inspiration for him.

Through a variety of works – 5 paintings, drawings and objects – rarely shown in France, the exhibition highlights the intimate link between the artist and this territory, which was at once real, dreamt of and symbolic.

From 8 May to 24 August 2025, Villa Arson presents the exhibition Becoming Ocean – a social conversation about the Ocean. As part of the Nice Biennial of the Arts and the Ocean, this group exhibition brings together more than twenty international artists around the same theme, that of the ocean.

Becoming Ocean opens up a collective and artistic dialogue on the major contemporary oceanic issues, from the ecological crisis to geopolitical changes, not forgetting the forgotten stories, indigenous perspectives and myths that still inhabit the ocean depths.

Then off to Mougins where, from 5 April to 28 September 2025, the entire village will be transformed into an open-air gallery with the “Mougins Monumental 2025” exhibition by Emmanuel Michel. Some fifteen sculptures, some over two metres tall, will take over the narrow streets in a free, open-air tour. The artist celebrates humanity in all its diversity, delivering powerful works inspired by his encounters in the four corners of the world.

Another not-to-be-missed event in Mougins: the Centre d’Art opens its doors from 17 May to 28 September 2025 for the exhibition “Les rêveries de l’enfant Totem” by Fabien Verschaere. The artist invites us to discover an imaginary world filled with strange creatures: clowns, monsters, fairies, mermaids and characters from fairy tales, cartoons and even our everyday lives. With a style reminiscent of childhood, but also dealing with serious subjects such as illness, madness and death, Fabien Verschaere mixes dream and reality. It’s a funny, mysterious exhibition that plunges us into a unique universe.

In Le Cannet, just a few kilometres away, from 22 March to 8 June 2025, the exhibition “Bonnard, Nature as Standard” explores the intimate link between Pierre Bonnard and the natural world, as part of the “100 works that tell the climate story” initiative organised by the Musée d’Orsay. In the spotlight: La Symphonie Pastorale, an exceptional work on loan for the occasion.