As I was sitting comfortably in Brume Coffee Shop in Vieux-Nice, enjoying a delicious coffee as I like to do, I spontaneously remarked to myself that it would be great to visit a museum in Nice straight afterwards. The last one I went to was a year ago, when I visited the Fondation Maeght in Saint Paul de Vence, and just before that I visited the Asian Arts Museum, which highlights the world of Japanese tattooing.
There are about ten museums in Nice, but as I was already in the old town, the nearest one was the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre, just a few minutes’ walk away, which was a good thing as I’d never visited it before. So this was my chance to discover a new place in Nice.
Discover a photo exhibition by chance at the Musée de la Photographie in Nice
I went into the museum without knowing exactly what I was going to see. And that’s often how the best discoveries are made. That’s when I stumbled upon the exhibition by British photographer Michael Kenna, an artist I’d never heard of before. Before discovering the exhibition, I took the opportunity to create my pass card, which allows me to visit all the museums in Nice free of charge! Once that was done, I entered the artist’s world. From the very first images, I was soothed by the atmosphere of silence and space, which is what I always feel when I enter a museum. The contrast with the bustle of Old Nice is immediate. The photographs, all in black and white, invite you to slow down, to look in a different way. No crowds, no movement, just pure landscapes, lines, solitary trees, almost abstract architecture.
The minimalist world of Michael Kenna
Michael Kenna ‘s work is characterised by great visual sobriety. His images are minimalist, yet deeply emotional. Thanks to the use of long exposures, the landscapes seem to stand still. Each photograph tells a different story, depending on who is looking at it. They don’t impose a reading on us, they simply invite us to feel.
At the back of the museum, a small room features a mini documentary film about Michael Kenna. Of course, I took the time to watch it, and it’s clearly a real bonus to the visit. I find that artist interviews are always so important in an exhibition, bringing a touch of humanity as he shares his artistic approach, his work, his patience, his relationship with time, solitude and waiting for the perfect light. Discovering his vision and his creative process gives another depth to the photographs on show. We’re not just looking at images, we understand the intention behind each shot.
When Michael Kenna photographs Nice
Another nice surprise in this exhibition is that Michael Kenna has photographed Nice on several occasions, and some of his work can be seen in the gallery. Seeing Nice through his eyes is quite striking. The city appears from a much more intimate angle, far removed from the sunny clichés of the Côte d’Azur. These images give an almost meditative view of familiar places, and reinforce the sense of timelessness that runs through the whole exhibition.
A cultural break at the Musée de la Photographie in Nice
If you’re passing through Nice, or if you live on the French R, I strongly recommend that you stop off at the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre. Michael Kenna’s exhibition is a real invitation to slow down, observe and feel. It runs until 25 January 2026.
Useful information
📍 1 place Pierre Gautier, 06300 Nice
📞 04 97 13 42 20
🕐 Open every day from 10am to 6pm
