Featured Events in Nice in February, 2025 (July Updated)

This exhibition invites you to discover his artistic journey, from the revelation of Henri Matisse's Luxe, Calme et Volupté, where the need to bring about the "miracle of the imagination" fully appeared to him, to the development of his touch in relation to that of Paul Cézanne and finally the blossoming of his own pictorial language in his studio in Vence. His unique style unfolds throughout the exhibition in the landscapes of Normandy and Provence, the motif of the studio, the views of ports and bathers or even the musicality of parties and receptions. And if the Norman is above all a painter, he also sought very early on to transpose the recurring motifs of his imagination into the illustration of books, textile creation or even ceramics. This project is an opportunity to rediscover the richness of the Dufy collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, which we owe mainly to the generosity of the artist's wife, Eugénie Brisson from Nice.

The Nice Carnival, known for its unique annual themes, will feature the "King of the Ocean" in 2025. This theme invites visitors to explore the mysteries and wonders of the ocean, emphasizing the importance of marine conservation and the beauty of underwater life. Floats are expected to depict themes related to marine biodiversity, mythical sea creatures, and the relationship between humans and the ocean. The King of the Ocean will reign over the city during the carnival, with his presence felt in every parade, performance, and event. The two-week-long Nice Carnival will host a series of events to ensure every visitor enjoys vibrant parades, cultural performances, and the opportunity to participate in the "Bataille de Fleurs" (Battle of Flowers), offering an unforgettable experience. Key highlights include: Opening Ceremony and Carnival: February 12, 2025 (Wednesday), with a grand opening in the Riquier district, celebrating the unveiling of the King and Queen's Carnival House, along with dance and terrace concerts. On February 15 (Saturday), the Carnival Village will open with "La Carnavalina"—a grand public celebration featuring free entertainment, street parades, and various activities throughout the city, allowing locals and tourists to feel the spirit of the carnival. Carnival Parade (Corso Carnavalesque): The core event of the carnival, with numerous floats decorated according to the carnival theme, accompanied by street artist troupes and musical groups from around the world, creating a colorful, festive, and family-friendly atmosphere. Daytime float parades are ideal for families, while nighttime parades, known as "Corso Illuminé," feature illuminated floats and performances that are a visual feast. Battle of Flowers: An elegant parade of flower-adorned floats, with characters in extravagant costumes, music, scents, and colors delighting spectators. Each year, actresses in elaborate costumes parade on floats decorated with beautiful flowers, showcasing the floral traditions of the Côte d'Azur. Lou Queernaval: As France's first gay carnival, Lou Queernaval is a popular event open to all, advocating values of sharing, inclusion, and unity. Feathers, makeup, glitter, extravagant parades, colorful troupes, and unique creatures will ignite the carnival's vibrancy. Closing Ceremony and Burning of the King: The carnival's closing ceremony features the symbolic burning of the King's effigy, followed by a stunning fireworks display over the Mediterranean, marking the end of the celebrations. Carnival Dates: Carnival 2025: February 12 Carnival and Opening Parade: February 15, 2025; Carnival Illuminated Parades: February 18, 22, 25, and March 1, 2025 (8:30 PM); Flower Parades: February 19, 22, 26, and March 1, 2025 (2:30 PM); Lou Queernaval: February 21, 2025 (8:30 PM); Daytime Carnival Parade: February 23, 2025 (2:30 PM); Closing Ceremony and Burning of the King: March 1-2, 2025 (10:45 PM)

This is one of the main carnival events in the world, with a special theme chosen every year. Nice Carnival is France's leading international carnival and the most important winter event on the Cote d'Azur. The two-week celebration brings the city of Nice to life - the non-stop "Carnival Parades" ("Corsi") and the elegant "Parade of Flowers" are on the calendar of this unmissable event. During this season's themed parade, many floats are decorated and presented to the rhythm of street art troupes and music groups from all backgrounds around the world, all in a colorful, festive and family atmosphere.

Sanyu, born in China and trained in calligraphy and ink painting, spent most of his life in Paris. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris before joining the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. Sanyu is known for his drawings of female nudes, a theme absent from Eastern tradition, and for his style, which combines Chinese heritage with influences from the Parisian avant-garde. Often compared to Matisse, Sanyu developed a unique art form, at the crossroads of two cultures.

In 1948, upon his return from exile in the United States, where he had found refuge during the Second World War, Marc Chagall first settled in Orgeval, in the Paris region, until 1949, then on the Côte d'Azur, in Vence, where he lived until 1965. He settled permanently in Saint-Paul-de-Vence where he remained at the villa "La Colline" from 1966 until his death in 1985. During this period, Chagall implemented numerous monumental projects such as stained glass windows, mosaics and the creation of the Marc Chagall National Museum, inaugurated in 1973, the first national museum dedicated to a living artist. The artist continued his lithographic work, notably in collaboration with Charles Sorlier at Mourlot in Paris and with Cramer editions in Geneva. Between 1966 and 1985, Chagall produced more than half of the original lithographs he produced during his career (662 out of 1,101). The museum holds 148 lithographs from this period in its collection, almost all of which come from donations from Charles Sorlier in 1986 and 1988. The exhibition presents a large number of them, enriched by paintings, a tapestry and stained glass projects for the museum. These creations, marked by exceptional vitality, resonate with some of his early works and illustrate the permanence and recurrence of the themes explored by the artist since his earliest years: the self-portrait, the couple, the circus, the Bible...