4 Unforgettable Art Day Trips from Nice, – Èze, Antibes, Menton, Renoir Museum | Nice, France

4 Unforgettable Art Day Trips from Nice, – Èze, Antibes, Menton, Renoir Museum | Nice, France

What happens when you find places where time 
moves exactly as slowly as you need it to? In this video, I am showing you four 
little art-inspired day trips from Nice. Each place gave me something to reflect on. Hi, I am Satomi. I am a Japanese artist 
based in London. On my channel, I explore how Eastern and Western creativity 
meet through my own Japanese lens. I spent two months in the South of France, and 
for three of those weeks, I was based in Nice. Before coming here, I had been in London 
for eight years. I was looking for a shift—not just in pace, but in light, 
in colour, and in how I see the world. Impressionist painters have always 
been a big inspiration to me, so I decided to leave London for a while to follow 
the light and atmosphere that shaped their work. During that time in Nice, I 
visited a few nearby towns. Each place felt quiet, thoughtful… and 
in some ways, surprisingly familiar. There’s a certain stillness, a sense of beauty that isn’t loud — 
something that reminded me of home. First, Antibes – a town that surprised me in the 
best way. The reason I visited Antibes was to see the Picasso Museum, but once there, I discovered 
it was much more than that. The old town is full of character with lively markets and small 
boutiques that give the place a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you 
just enjoy walking around, browsing little shops, and taking in the relaxed seaside atmosphere.
As I wandered through Antibes, I came across a few small artist studios. It made me wish I 
could live there for a while — just settle into the town’s rhythm and rent one of those 
quiet, light-filled studios to create. In 1946, after World War II, Picasso 
stayed there for about 6 months. The curator had offered him the 
château as a temporary studio space, and during that time, he worked intensely.
He created a series of paintings inspired by the sea and Mediterranean mythology. Many 
of those pieces remain in the museum today. One of the things I loved most was seeing 
his ceramic works. I’ve always found his ceramics playful and full of life. 
The museum has a beautiful collection, including pieces he made in nearby Vallauris, 
which I’ll show you in another video. Next, Èze. Located high above the Mediterranean, Èze offers breathtaking panoramic views that 
really impressed me. It almost felt unreal, like something from a painting.
For me, the cobbled streets, stone houses, and lush gardens made Èze feel 
like such a peaceful and inspiring place, somewhere that would be perfect for 
artists or anyone who loves quiet beauty. I visited La Chèvre d’Or, a hotel known for its 
beautiful interiors and stunning terrace views. I just stopped by to take a short break 
on the balcony, but both the view and the interior design were truly unforgettable. 
One day, I’d love to stay there properly. On my way to the hilltop, I found 
a tiny artist’s studio with one of the most inspiring views I’ve ever encountered.
Èze is also known for its connection to perfume. I visited Parfumerie Galimard’s museum and 
also looked around the Fragonard shops. The village became part of the perfume tradition 
thanks to its location near flower-growing regions and coastal trade routes.
Perfumes have their own stories. And the way people here care about 
that felt quietly beautiful to me. The next place I visited was Menton, a town 
near the Italian border with a gentle charm and a mix of French and Italian influences.
Jean Cocteau, a French artist known for working across many different fields — art, poetry, and 
film – had a profound connection to the town. The Jean Cocteau Museum showcases his evocative works.
Artist Raoul Dufy was also drawn to Menton’s scenery.
As I was walking around, I suddenly came across the very spot he once painted.
I wasn’t even looking for it. It just appeared! Menton is also known for its gardens and 
citrus cultivation, especially lemons. The town celebrates this every February during the 
annual lemon festival with colourful displays and parades. I also remember trying a 
lemon-infused olive oil at La Perouse Hotel in Nice. It was made with local lemons from 
Menton, and it had such a fresh, clean flavour. When I visited, there happened to be 
a big antique market going on next to Menton’s main indoor market. They 
told me it was a special annual event. Apparently, there’s also a smaller 
antiques market held here more regularly, so if you’re into antiques, 
it’s worth keeping an eye out. Lastly, if you are a fan of Renoir, of course, you 
can’t miss the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Renoir moved here in 1908, looking for a 
warmer climate that could help ease his illness. He bought a large house 
surrounded by olive and citrus trees, with a peaceful view of the Mediterranean Sea — 
just a small glimpse of it, but it’s there. The place itself is quiet and calm, and I could really 
feel why it would be a good space for an artist. Inside the house, you’ll find his original studio, 
some of his paintings, sculptures, and personal belongings. I also learned that Renoir didn’t 
often invite many people to his studio, but a few close friends, like Matisse and Bonnard, did visit
The studio still has his easel and tools, and it really gave me a sense of how he kept creating, 
even when his health made it difficult. It’s a special place full of inspiration.
In this video, I didn’t include Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Mougins because I’ve 
made separate videos about those places. But if you’re visiting the South of France, I highly recommend them. They’re both beautiful and full of character. So definitely don’t miss them!
Sometimes we travel not just to explore new places, but to notice what we’re drawn to.
And that can change everything. In the next video, I will take you to one of 
my favourite towns in the South of France, Saint-Paul de Vence, where I stayed in a 
former house of an impressionist artist. If you are short on time and want a glimpse of the places that inspired me, I’ve put together a curated guide you can download below. Also, l would love to hear from you – what’s your favourite 
art spot in the South of France? Or if you’ve been to any of these 
places, let me know your thoughts. Thank you for watching, and I hope 
to see you again in the next video.

During my three weeks in Nice, I took four quiet, art-inspired day trips—each one offered something to reflect on. In this video, I share the places that stayed with me.

Featured places:
• Èze
• Antibes
• Menton
• Cagnes-sur-Mer (Renoir Museum)

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