The Franciscan monastery in Cimiez dates to the 14th century and still houses an active community of friars. The church contains several important paintings by the Nice School, including a Pietà and a Deposition by Louis Bréa, the 15th-century master who defined religious painting on this section of the Riviera for generations. The works retain their original colouring with remarkable freshness.
The monastery garden — a formal arrangement of rose beds, paths, and old olive trees — is open to visitors and is one of the most peaceful spots in Nice. Henri Matisse is buried here, along with the Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy. The graves are simple and easy to find. The combination of medieval art, fragrant gardens, and illustrious graves makes this one of the most rewarding stops in the Cimiez neighbourhood.