The French Riviera has long been a source of inspiration for famous artists, like Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger or Pierre Bonnard. But it is also a fabulous place for young minds eager to explore their artistic potential. For parents keen to promote creative activities, the Côte d’Azur offers some of the best art classes for kids, housed in the museums named after these iconic painters. Give your budding artists an opportunity to unleash their imagination in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Best Art Classes for Kids on the French Riviera
1Musée Matisse, Nice
Musée Matisse runs art classes for children (6-11 years-old) on Wednesdays and during the school holidays. The next class starts on 14 May and runs over three consecutive Wednesdays.
Jonathan Cejudo, a graduate of the National Art School of Nice, will aim to inspire the youthful participants. During a three session workshop that will give them a chance to explore and reinvent the aquatic world that so fascinated Matisse. A chance for the budding artists to dream of the sea and the creatures that live there, through painting, drawing, cut-outs and collage to create their own bestiary.
When: Wednesdays from 10-11.30am (either 14, 28 May and 4 June or 11, 18 and 25 June)
Cost : 27€ for 3 sessions.
Over the summer break the children will, like Matisse before them, get to draw inspiration from the Mediterranean sea and landscapes. Using both the light and colour present in Matisse’s works to create their own masterpiece.
Holiday dates: 7, 16, 23 and 30 July then 4, 11, 20 and 27 August from 2.30-4.30pm.
Cost: 9€ per person.
For more information, please visit https://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/fr/evenement/ and for bookings: publics.musee.matisse@ville-nice.fr
Sketch Painting with Matisse
For teenagers (12-15 year-olds), the museum offers creative 2h sessions during the summer school holidays. They will follow in the footsteps of great artists who practiced in museums by reproducing major works. Participants will be inspired by the collections of the Matisse museum and will experiment with different techniques (pencil, charcoal and pastel) to create drawings on the spot. All art materials are provided by the museum.
Holiday dates: 11 and 25 July from 2-4pm, and 1, 8, 22 and 29 August from 2-4pm.
Cost: 9€ per session.
For more information, please visit https://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/fr/evenement/ and for bookings: publics.musee.matisse@ville-nice.fr
2Musée Picasso, Antibes
We have long been fascinated by the portraits painted by Pablo Picasso, at times realist, cubist, deformed or even scary. So what better way to give in to our fascination than with a visit to the Picasso Museum, where we get a chance to discover the artist’s many interpretations. After viewing a few of the artworks in the collection, participants are invited to pick up their brushes, paints and canvases to create happy family portraits.
When: Every Sunday from 10am to 12pm (except the first Sunday of the month),
Fridays at 2.30pm during the school holidays
Cost: 24€ (for 1 adult and 1 child, includes museum visit and art studio), 15€ for each additional adult and 9€ for each additional child).
For more information, please visit: https://www.museepicassoparis.fr/fr/demeler-les-pinceaux
3Musée National Fernand Léger, Biot
During the school term, the art classes and museum visits take place on Wednesdays from 2-4pm. This art class takes its cues from the legendary Pablo Picasso, inviting children to explore abstract and cubist art forms. The instructors blend educational content with hands-on activities. I was fortunate enough to go with my daughter. And we were both inspired to create very colourful paintings after a tour of some of the artworks on display.
When: 14 and 28 May from 2-4pm and 4, 11 and 25 June from 2-4pm.
Cost: 9€ per child, 11€ per adult participating in the activity.
To book, please visit: https://affluences.com/rmn-gp/musee-national-fernand-leger/reservation
4Musée Bonnard, Le Cannet
A list of the best art classes for kids on the French Riviera would not be complete without mentioning the Musée Bonnard, in Le Cannet. Here Wednesdays belong to 6-12 year-olds as they are encouraged to tap into their imagination and creative mind.
Accompanied by the class moderator, children observe and analyze a couple of the artworks on display. Next they attempt to reproduce them in the studio using a variety of artistic techniques, like collage, drawing, sculpture, painting or pastels. At the end of the session, each child gets to take home their masterpiece.
When: 21 and 28 May from 10am to 12 noon, or 4, 11 and 25 July from 10am to 12 noon.
Cost: 5€ per session.
For more information and to book, please visit: https://museebonnard.fr/index.php/fr/mediations/jeune-public-famille/42-atelier-enfants-mercredis-de-bonnard
