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Le musee des arts asiatiques Musée des Arts Asiatiques Review

A round museum situated next to the Parc Phoenix and overlooking the same lake. Very Asian in design and holding a tea-ceremony room with sea-through walls; the impression you get is that of a very bare and white gallery - very minimalist.

The collection is constituted from objects (statues, clothes, idols, furniture...) from Japan, China, India, Cambodia and others, and it's possible to follow a few themes, like Buddhism, ceremonies, the house,...

The museum welcomes temporary exhibitions and holds some introduction workshops to the ceremonies around tea, ikebana, calligraphy.

Free entrance - 10 euros if you want to attend workshops (with a visit)
Open everyday 10-17, later in season
Bus: 9, 10, 23. Stop: "Arenas"

Address: 405, Promenade des Anglais

Directions: Next to the Parc Phoenix and the Arenas centre

Phone: + 33 (0) 4 92 29 37 00

Website: http://www.arts-asiatiques.com

Theatre de la Photographie et de l'Image

The Theatre de la Photographie et de l'Image is a free photography museum, comprising several large rooms, a theatre and a library.
Most exhibitions last for several months and revolve more around a theme or a country than a photographer, but there are some exceptions.

You'll love the place. It was first the meeting place of a cultural club at the beginning of the 1800th century, and has retained the large decor and the wonderful ceilings.
It truly has a cultural mission and you'll often meet groups of students there.

NEXT EXHIBITION: March 7th - Mai, 31st: Jean Ferrero

Address: 27 boulevard Dubouchage

Directions: Just off Jean Medecin, south of Nice Etoile - City centre

Other Contact: theatre.photo@ville-nice.fr

Phone: +33 (0)4 97 13 42 20

Website: http://www.tpi-nice.org/

Terra Amata museum of Prehistory

The Museum was opened in 1976 on the site of an excavation that made history: 400 000 years ago, Terra Amata was a beach where humanoids dwelled, hunted and...most importantly, had domesticated fire. The site is the first occurrence in the world of domesticated fire, as well as having proved that there have constantly been variations in the sea level throughout times.

The museum in itself looks quite old, and the displays are very technical, which is very good for teachers (many schools go there). There is a downloadable pack online, and if you're visiting with children, you can ask for a booklet of games to be done as you go through the displays.

On groundfloor there's the mold of the beach floor as it was discovered in 1966, as well as a chronology of the evolution of the human race, illustrated by skulls.

The first floor hosts temporary exhibitions and deals with every aspect of the the life of Homo Erectus. You can see them hunting, discover their tools, and even see a reconstitution of their wooden cabin on the beach.

1st room: geology and study of plants.
2nd room: housing.
3rd room: bones from animals (elephants, deer, boars, rhinoceros...).
4th room: tools.
5th room: scientific explanations on datation.

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Until June 2009: Temporary exhibition of the historian Pierre Cadenat's stamp collection, dealing with Prehistory, museums or sites (even megalithic ones) all over the world.

There is also a library, holding 2500 books.

Opened 10-18. Closed on Monday and bank holidays.

Address: 25 boulevard Carnot

Directions: Near the Harbour (check the map on their site)

Phone: 04 93 55 59 93

Website: http://www.musee-terra-amata.org/

Parc Phoenix: Nature within the city

Spend an entire afternoon in the Parc Phoenix!
Breathe some fresh air, see animals (owls, ostriches, crocodiles), visit the aquarium and look at the koi fish in the pond. You can also rest in the shadow in the Isle of the Past, or visit an old medieval garden.
Several vegetation patterns are reproduced open air all around the park, whereas the green house (The Emerald House) holds exotic flowers and reptiles.
There are two exhibition rooms (one for art, the other presents ecologically-centered information), a snack, a child's amusement section, and musical fountains.

Entrance: 2€ - Children under 12: Free

Address: 405, Promenade des Anglais

Directions: Near the airport / Arénas

Phone: 04 92 29 77 00