Top coastal museums and gardens | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

Domaine du Rayol

In Le Rayol-Canadel

A botanical paradise hovering between sea, sky and mountain awaits in Le Rayol-Canadel. An official “Remarkable Garden”, Domaine du Rayol is no ordinary place… It is a genuine voyage into the plant world. Created by explorer Alfred Courmes in the early 20th century, this magical site – abandoned for many years – was purchased by the Conservatoire du Littoral (coastal protection agency) in the late Eighties. Landscape artist Gilles Clément breathed new life into Rayol, where he crafted a “planetary garden” celebrating Mediterranean-style vegetation found in various ecosystems throughout the world, from California to Australia and Chile… A genuine voyage to the corners of the earth, all within a few acres of land where nature rules supreme: you won’t find any pesticides, weedkillers or chemical fertilizers here. The garden is a genuine benchmark in terms of honouring biodiversity and natural lifecycles. Located between the Maures hills and Mediterranean Sea, facing the Golden Islands off the coast of Hyères, its sweeping vistas are simply breathtaking. Domain du Rayol also hosts guided tours, activities for all ages (including a snorkelling trail), sustainable eco-gardening workshops, exhibitions showcased at its beautiful heritage buildings, a restaurant in the heart of the garden and magnificent Nature & Landscapes bookshop. With plenty of activities on offer all year round, it is a living, breathing haven where people come to get a new angle on the world in sync with nature’s peaceful pace. A poetic paradise and absolute must-see.

Musée Ziem

In Martigues

The Musée Ziem in Martigues is a little artistic gem, paying homage to travelling painter Félix Ziem who fell in love with the Mediterranean’s inimitable quality of light and donated many of his works to the town. Portraying the canals of Venice, minarets of Constantinople and shores of Martigues, his vibrant paintings, swathed in rich colours, are a pictorial ode to the beauty of the South. This multidisciplinary museum also hosts exhibitions dedicated to modern & contemporary art and archaeology, with a permanent collection boasting works by Dufy, Derain and Picabia. Committed to keeping public interest alive, the Musée Ziem regularly renews its museums spaces and acquires new works. The venue welcomes all ages and tastes – families, children, art enthusiasts and simple curiosity-seekers – with a range of workshops, guided tours and cultural events throughout the year, in a spirit of fellowship and sharing.

Domaine de l’Ermitage

In Saint-Mandrier

A discreet haven between forest and coast, Domaine de l’Ermitage is a former 19th-century farm located on Saint-Mandrier peninsula. Sheltered from urban development by the Conservatoire du Littoral (coastal protection agency), it is one of the last remaining witnesses to life on a seaside rural estate in the Var area. Today, it is a committed and forward-looking hub of culture and learning. Restored in 2014, the main house harbours exhibition spaces dedicated to local history and collective memory, together with an ecomuseum showcasing maritime heritage and the town’s fishing traditions, as well as temporary shows, workshops and activities for all ages on the themes of ecology, heritage and agriculture, aimed at increasing environmental awareness. And that’s not all: the estate is also home to an olive grove, vines and a kitchen garden supporting sustainable farming and short distribution circuits. Three municipal gites invite visitors to enjoy a full immersion in nature, a stone’s throw from Plage de la Coudoulière beach. An ode to learning, relaxation and wellness.

Musée de la Marine

In Toulon

Nested at the heart of France’s largest military port in Toulon, the Musée de la Marine leads visitors on a fascinating voyage into the history of the sea, ships and the people who sailed them. Majestic mock-ups of old rigs, elegant figureheads and ancient navigational instruments… Each room unveils a different facet of France’s maritime power. The tour includes insights into life on board, technological progress through the centuries and a gripping section dedicated to submarines – genuine deepwater sentinels -, enabling enthusiasts to gain a better understanding of their role in world conflicts. A place of living maritime memory combined with a marine heritage research centre, the museum retraces man’s conquest of the abyss, while flying the flag of ancient maritime traditions and know-how. Designed for audiences of all ages, this highly educational museum offers audio guides, children’s workshops, interactive displays and exhibitions accessible to tiny tots. A captivating deep dive into the naval history of France.

Serre de la Madone

In Menton

Tucked away in the hills of Menton, Serre de la Madone is a green haven blending British elegance and botanical flamboyancy. Created in the 1920s by Lawrence Johnston and heralded for its English-style landscaped gardens adorned with rare and exotic vegetation, the venue features plant species from such distant climes as South Africa, Asia and South America. It is laid with “restanques” – dry stone terraces typical of the South of France – to embrace the site’s natural relief and favour gentle irrigation. The walk between old greenhouses, tranquil ponds and shaded pathways is a genuine ode to the senses; some of the plant varieties on show can no longer be found anywhere else in Europe. A listed monument and official “Remarkable Garden”, the site’s original aspect is gradually being restored by the Conservatoire du Littoral (coastal protection agency), with additional work scheduled in 2025. Open all year round and a proud holder of the “Accueil Vélo” (Cyclists Welcome) label, Serre de la Madone is a rejuvenating paradise in the heart of town. A place where time stands still, inviting both contemplation and discovery.

Terra Amata prehistory museum

In Nice

Let’s head to Nice for a voyage back to the origins of mankind… The Terra Amata museum is built on an exceptional prehistoric site home to a hunter-gatherer encampment dating back nearly 400,000 years, officially one of the world’s oldest human communities. It was here that the use of fire was mastered for one of the first times in Europe! The museum itself unveils the life of the first people of Nice through a vast collection of old stone tools, scrapers, biface tools and carved stones telling the story of the Homo erectus that inhabited this part of the coast many eons ago. A life-size reconstruction and immersive scenes invite visitors to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. The museum boasts a fun and accessible layout, with activities for children, hands-on workshops and interactive digital media. You’ll find ancient flora and fauna there too, from an age when lions, elephants and rhinoceros roamed our Mediterranean shores… An enthralling museum experience combining science, history and learning, promising to spark the curiosity of both little ones and grown-ups.

Musée de la Camargue

In Arles

Poised at the gateway to Arles, at the heart of the Camargue Regional Nature Reserve, the Musée de la Camargue throws bridges between humans and nature. This singular museum invites visitors on a fascinating foray into a land carved by water, salt, wind and the hand of man. It explores the everyday life of Camargue’s “gardians” (herdsmen), as well as bull-rearing traditions, religious celebrations and rice-growing… A mesmerizing immersion in authentic Camargue, told through objects, mock-ups, photos and testimonials. The museum also pays homage to the unique wetlands found in the Rhône delta – genuine sanctuaries for Camargue’s fragile biodiversity between land, sea and river. From pink flamingos to Camargue horses and bills, local fauna is top of the bill here, alongside halophile plants, rice fields and the typical local herdsmen’s cottages on the interpretation trail running alongside the canal. The museum hosts plenty of activities throughout the year, including screenings, shows, debates and educational workshops aimed at increasing environmental awareness and promoting sustainable development.

Cosquer Méditerranée

In Marseille

The coastal waters of Marseille harbour astonishing treasures. The Cosquer Méditerranée interpretation centre invites visitors to discover a remarkably faithful reproduction of the stunning, now-submerged Cosquer Cave dating back to the Palaeolithic era, located in Calanque de la Triperie – a coastal fjord adjacent to Cape Morgiou. Cosquer Méditerranée is a genuine technical and artistic feat, promising an unforgettable voyage into a lost world. Discovered in 1985 by diver Henri Cosquer, the original cave is located at a depth of over 30 metres and its access is prohibited for obvious safety reasons. Today, it has been brought back to life thanks to an immersive experience on board a gondola offering close-up views of the cave walls adorned with land and sea creatures, including horses, ibex, seals and even penguins – a rarity in prehistoric art! Dotted with sound effects, projections and 3D animations, the layout places the various works in their climatic context: a raw and fascinating icy landscape. This extraordinary achievement was made possible by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, artists, divers and technicians. Cosquer is currently the only known decorated underwater cave and its reconstruction is the fruit of a decade of collaboration and innovation.

Usine-Maison de la nature and Maison Foncin

In Cavalaire

Perched on the Corniche des Maures coast road, Maison Foncin resembles a white sentinel standing over the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Cavalaire, emerging from the surrounding greenery. Once home to geographer Pierre Foncin, it was later bequeathed to the Conservatoire du Littoral (coastal protection agency). Today, it forms part of the Maison de la Nature, set inside an old waste treatment plant transformed into a centre for environmental and coastal awareness. Located at the entrance to the estate, the Usine-Maison de la Nature is the departure point for guided tours of this historic property, offering visitors a fascinating insight into the Foncin family history, the role of Pierre Foncin and importance of preserving the coast. With a tempting offering of exhibitions, talksand activities, everything is designed to promote awareness of our natural heritage and its conservation. In addition to its educational vocation, the Maison de la Nature is a delightful meeting place hosting a variety of events such as tasting evenings, open-air concerts, sports lessons and even an eatery.

Posidonia

In Antibes

Poised on the southern tip of Cap d’Antibes, the ancient Graillon battery has now been magicked into a unique marine exploration centre entirely dedicated to Mediterranean ecosystems. Perched on a rocky outcrop facing the sea, the site basks in 5 acres of Mediterranean pinewoods on the edge of a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The immersiveand educational layout invites visitors to discover the various Mediterranean animal species and their four main habitats: Posidonia meadows, sandy bottoms, coral reefs and open water. Posidonia – a grass vital to the health of our Mediterranean waters – is the star of the show, providing oxygen, stabilizing the sea beds and acting as a nursery for hundreds of marine species. The exhibitions strives to bring marine science to a wide audience, with Mediterranean aquariums, interactives displays, educational activities and learning tools aimed at raising awareness of the various challenges faced by conservation. Curiosity-seekers will definitely want to venture onto the underwater trails in the MPA to get up-close-and-personal with our beautiful sea beds!