Musée Masséna

Listed in the Historic Monuments inventory, the Villa Masséna is an architectural jewel in a tree-lined setting on the Promenade des Anglais that presents the history of Nice in the 19th Century.

This villa designed by the Danish architect Hans Georg Tersling, is inspired by Italians villas with its facades open to outside through galleries and loggias that offer views of the surrounding landscape. The villa's ceremonial spaces honor the two Napoleons (Ist and III). It was built in 1898, at Victor Masséna’s request, Duke of Rivoli and Prince of Essling, grandson of André Masséna, Empire Marshall and famous for his victories at the Battles of Rivoli, Marengo, Essling and Wagram under Napoleon Ist. The villa houses an exceptional set of Empire-style reception rooms, which include decorations and woodwork from the castle of Govone in Piedmont. The garden was designed by the famous landscaper Edouard André. Originally, the seaside was finished off with a promenade terrace forming a viewpoint over the landscape. The janitor’s lodge on Rue de France adopts a Parisian private mansion style.
The villa became a museum of art and history in 1921 and houses collections related to the history of the French Riviera resort.