At 15 Rue Droite in Vieux Nice, Palais Lascaris is a 17th-century aristocratic residence now open as a museum. Its Baroque interiors reward a look upstairs: climb the grand staircase, then explore frescoed rooms, period furnishings and a collection of more than 500 historic musical instruments. Paintings, sculptures and occasional exhibitions add to the visit. The palace is spread across three floors and has no lift, so plan for stairs as you move between its rooms.
A residence in Vieux Nice
Palais Lascaris stands on Rue Droite, a narrow street in the old town. Built in the mid-17th century for the Lascaris-Vintimille family, it was a private aristocratic residence before the City of Nice acquired and restored it as a museum. Its scale and decoration offer a view of domestic Baroque architecture in Nice.
The family’s history is part of the palace’s story. The rooms and displays connect the building to the Lascaris-Vintimille household and to the city’s past. The palace is now a museum devoted to art and music from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The staircase and decorated rooms
The interior changes as you climb. A monumental staircase, with painted decoration and sculpture, leads to the upper rooms. Frescoes, stucco, tapestries, paintings and period furnishings bring the Baroque interiors into focus. Look up as well as around: painted ceilings are among the details that make the rooms worth taking at a measured pace.
Ceremonial rooms and a chapel are among the spaces inside. The palace’s ornament is concentrated upstairs, so the climb is part of seeing its principal interiors. There is no lift, and the museum occupies three floors.
A collection of historic instruments
The museum holds more than 500 historic musical instruments, including rare pieces from across the western world. The collection includes instruments dating from the 16th to the 19th century and is one of the main reasons to visit, even if you have already explored the palace rooms.
Collector Antoine Gautier’s gift to the city in 1904 helped establish the instrument collection. Displays sit among the historic interiors, alongside paintings, sculptures and other objects. Temporary exhibitions can add a separate theme to the visit, so check what is on during your trip.
Information on objects is not consistently available in English. Look for translated descriptions placed near some of the French-language plaques. Allow time to read those and to move between floors without rushing.
Häufige Fragen
Where is Palais Lascaris?
It is at 15 Rue Droite in Vieux Nice, the old town of Nice.
How long should I spend at Palais Lascaris?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to explore the rooms and musical instrument collection.
Is Palais Lascaris accessible without stairs?
No. The museum spans three floors and has no lift.
Does the museum have information in English?
Some object information is available in English. Look for translated descriptions near the display plaques.
