Nice's Musée des Arts Asiatiques is as much about setting as collection. The museum sits beside water in Parc Phoenix, in a crisp white building designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, and its galleries introduce Buddhist, Hindu, Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian art without overwhelming the visitor.
It is near the airport rather than in Vieux Nice, so plan it with the western side of the city or a spare pre-flight morning. The museum is compact, calm, and a useful counterpoint to the Riviera's usual mix of beaches, belle époque villas, and Mediterranean light.