French Riviera exhibitions in autumn 2026: six addresses

In autumn several major exhibitions are taking place on the French Riviera and in Monaco, each with its own closing date: one ends on 15 October, another on the 18th, most run until 31 October, and the Maeght Foundation stays open until 15 November. We have gathered six addresses, from prehistoric engravings in the mountains to abstraction by the water, so you can plan a route by dates and not miss any.

Villefranche-sur-Mer: «L’Absurde et le Rêve» until 31 October 2026

At Villefranche’s citadel an exhibition by Belgian sculptor Arne Quinze has been open since 20 June; he invited Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos to enter into dialogue. Thirty-three monumental works are arranged across the gardens, courtyards and bastions, while the halls show video, sound and more intimate installations. Curators — Camille Frasca, director of the citadel, and Seldjan Atilgan. Some pieces were made in collaboration with the Murano studio Berengo (glass) and the Vierkant workshop (ceramics). The idea of the exhibition alludes to Jean Cocteau, whose legacy in Villefranche is still visible at every turn: more on this in our piece about Cocteau, the citadel and Rue Obscure. Sources: Say Who, Sortir 06.

Le Cannet: «Bonnard intime» until 31 October 2026

The Bonnard Museum in Le Cannet is presenting a two-part exhibition, «Bonnard intime — Les Toilettes de Marthe»: scenes in which Pierre Bonnard paints his companion Marthe at her toilette, and the world of his studio. Paintings, drawings and works on paper show how the artist observed domestic gestures, the body and the play of light. Separately, on the museum’s third floor, «L’Atelier au mimosa» — a painting from the Centre Pompidou collection — is on display. Six scent installations have been added to the exhibition: Le Cannet mimosa, soap, warm linen, Mediterranean gardens, the air of the studio. Address: 16, boulevard Sadi Carnot. Sources: Sortir 06, The Art Newspaper.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Ellsworth Kelly until 15 November 2026

The Maeght Foundation is showing «Aux bords de l’eau» — the first exhibition to trace the theme of water across the work of American abstractionist Ellsworth Kelly. Curator — Éric de Chassey. The exhibition also recalls a personal story: returning to France in 1948, Kelly exhibited at the Galerie Maeght in Paris and often stayed with the Maeght family in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and he remained friends with Adrien Maeght throughout his life. The foundation is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (until 19:00 in July and August), address: 623, chemin des Gardettes. Source: Maeght Foundation website. Related on the topic — our piece about Mougins — Picasso’s village with the FAMM museum.

Tende: «Roches de mémoire» until 31 October 2026

At the Musée des Merveilles in Tende the exhibition «Roches de mémoire. 5 000 ans d’art rupestre dans les Alpes» is part of the museum’s 30th anniversary programme. These are photographs by Emmanuel Breté that lead the visitor through France, Switzerland and Italy following the traces of drawings and engravings left by the first inhabitants of the Alps. The Vallée des Merveilles occupies a central place — one of the most important ensembles of prehistoric engravings in Europe. Lectures, guided tours and creative workshops are taking place alongside, some of them free. Address: avenue du 16 septembre. Source: Alpes-Maritimes Department.

Nice: «Africa Pop» until 18 October 2026

At the Anatole Jakovsky Museum of Naïve Art (Château Sainte-Hélène, avenue de Fabron) an exhibition about African cultures is told through textiles: bright wax prints meet everyday objects. It was organised by the collective «2e arrêt» under the direction of anthropologist Anne Groffier and historian Claude Bolli, showcasing more than 200 works. The museum is open from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 18:00; entry €5. Sources: L’Essentiel, Sortir 06.

Monaco: «De Toumaï à Sapiens» until 15 October 2026

The earliest to close is the exhibition at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology of Monaco, located on the hill between Villa Paloma and the Exotic Garden. It traces seven million years of evolution — from the first hominins to Homo sapiens — and shows exact replicas of Lucy’s skeleton and Toumaï’s skull, one of the oldest known members of our lineage. The exhibition was prepared together with the Prehistory Museum in Solutré and the Institute of Human Paleontology. Source: Monaco Hebdo.

How not to miss them

The order is: Monaco (15 October), Nice (18 October), then Villefranche, Le Cannet and Tende (all until 31 October), and finally the Maeght Foundation (until 15 November). Before you travel, check the museums’ websites: opening hours and prices can change in season. For Villefranche and Nice it’s convenient to plan a day in the same area, while Tende is best allotted a whole day — it’s far from the coast. If you want to plan a route for another reason, see our piece on the restoration of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

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Photo: Broenberr / Wikimedia Commons