Rail tour from Cannes to Menton

A pearl of the Croisette, La Malmaison – an early 20th-century Belle Époque villa – is enjoying a fresh new face as an international arts centre after minute restoration work. Admire the prowess of the major contemporary artists on show there, before indulging in a little reverie on the rooftop. The views over Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea are simply sublime! Gaze out at the horizon one more time before saying goodbye – temporarily – to the coast. It’s time to head to the village of Mouans-Sartoux, crisscrossed with peaceful, colourful lanes. An unusual architectural ensemble consisting of a 15th-century medieval château, tree-lined grounds and a contemporary building, the Espace de l’Art Concret contemporary arts centre is dedicated to bringing art to everyday life. At the Pablo Picasso national museum in Vallauris, the artist’s monumental fresco, adorning the medieval chapel priory, is resolutely awe-inspiring.

Your deep dive into Pablo Picasso’s œuvre continues in the historic quarter of Antibes. Forming a balcony over the Med, the Musée Picasso, set inside the former chateau of Monaco’s Grimaldi family, was the artist’s studio from 1946 onwards. He crafted many paintings and drawings there, including the famous “Joy of Life”, “Satyr, Faun and Centaur with Trident” and “The Sea Urchin Eater”. Over time, the collection has expanded to encompass sculptures by Germaine Richier (shown on the terrace facing the sea), works by Nicolas de Staël and gems from the Hans Hartung and Anna-Eva Bergman collection. A stop-off in the National Museum Fernand Léger in Biot, a hilltop village brimming with charm, promises a fascinating insight into the pioneering work of modern artist Fernand Léger, whose colourful paintings, mosaics, sculptures and drawings tell the story of the industrial and modern eras.

The capital of the Riviera, the city of Nice offers a stunning array of venues dedicated to modern and contemporary art: hotels inviting guests on an artistic voyage, audacious art galleries and museums paying homage to the 20th-century masters. How about setting your bags down at the Windsor Jungle Art Hôtel, a resolutely arty, family-run establishment tucked away in the heart of town? Crafted by artists in situ or paying tribute to major artistic figures (Coco Chanel, Niki de Saint Phalle and more), each room is a genuine experience. From there, you can easily reach the Espace à Vendre, a colourful art gallery and flagship of the Nice art scene. Alternatively, opt for a tour of two must-see Côte d’Azur museums: the Musée Chagall and Musée Matisse. Last but not least, it’s off to Menton and the Musée Cocteau Le Bastion, where masterpieces by the painter and poet await, swathed in Greek mythology.