Exhibitions on over two floors
The Musée Masséna is spread over two floors. Visitors can enjoy seeing important works of art from the Belle Époque. Among them are important unique pieces from French contemporary history such as the old death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was once made by the famous surgeon Dr. Arnold. In addition, the mother-of-pearl tiara of Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's first wife, is in the museum's possession.
Entering the rooms on the top floor of the villa, one finds oneself in the library of Victor de Cessole. The famous mountaineer lived in Nice from 1859 to 1941 and was the first to climb Mont Clapier. He donated his collected works on the history of Nice to the museum. It also exhibits oil paintings, including battle scenes and maritime works of art, as well as large sculptures and the Book of the Côte d'Azur. It was handwritten and published by the French politician, jurist and poet Stéphen Liégeard. The book gives its name to the Côte d'Azur.
Each year, the Masséna Museum also hosts important temporary exhibitions - all with an exciting regional connection. Since its renovation in recent years, the museum is now even more visitor-friendly and, above all, handicapped accessible.
An interesting history
Villa Masséna was built between 1898 and 1902 according to the plans of Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling. The building today is considered an architectural masterpiece of the Belle Époque. A well-known building style on the Côte d'Azur at that time. If you visit the city on the French Mediterranean coast, you can see other representative villas. The rooms on the first floor were splendidly decorated by Hans-Georg Tersling and Aaron Messiah. Works of art decorate the walls and the furniture was planned in the Empire style. Another highlight of the villa is the extensive park, which was modeled on English gardens, but Mediterranean flowers and plants thrive here.
The Masséna family and Napoleon again and again
The villa and museum were named after Napoleon's grandson: André Prosper Victor Masséna. The clients were: Prince of Essling, Duke of Rivoli and Victor Masséna. After its completion, the villa initially served as the winter residence of the Masséna family for many years. After the death of the father, the son inherited the villa. He sold it in 1919 to his hometown Nice. The latter converted the villa into today's museum and made it accessible to the general public and so it is still today - many years later!
