FERNAND LÉGER MUSEUM

Biot

Discover more than 450 exceptional works from impressionism to cubism dating from the 20th century! The immense park of the Fernand Léger museum is the ideal place to have a picnic, after having admired all his works. Events are organized throughout the year to liven up the life of the museum. A real invitation to cultural openness through various workshops for young and old.

The painter's collection

The Fernand Léger museum presents a collection of 450 works of the painter. His 20th century works are presented in different forms: paintings, ceramics, bronzes, tapestries, sculptures and mosaics. 

Different eras are shown through the artist's works, from impressionism to cubism. These masterpieces mark the revolution through different types of art: architecture, sculpture, painting...

Discover the great colourful compositions from the 1920s to the 1950s. The contrasts of forms, the dynamism of vibrant colours evoke the beauty of Modern Art.

 

Pass by The Women with Parrots and ponder the Mona Lisa with Keys. Discover Fernand Léger's vision in The Builders. These works are a feast for the eyes! Upstairs, you will see the ceramics in volume, and your children will even be able to touch some mosaic samples.

This artistic diversity is enhanced by the natural lighting that penetrates the building with its beautiful volumes. In the exhibition areas, sit on the benches to better appreciate the works while listening to the audio guide.

 

National Museum Foundation

 

A decisive donation

The Musée national Fernand Léger, located at the foot of the Provencal village of Biot, is one of thirty-three French national museums overseen by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. This institution, one of the leading monographic museums dedicated to a modern artist on the Côte d'Azur, was established thanks to Fernand Léger, who was a regular visitor to the region as early as 1949. The artist, then aged almost 70, was experimenting with ceramics in the studio of his former pupil Roland Brice, assisted by his son Claude. Shortly before his sudden death, Léger purchased a plot of land that was to become the site of the museum.

A Museum Integrated into Art

In 1957, Nadia Léger, the artist's widow, and Georges Bauquier, his loyal collaborator, laid the foundation stone for the museum, which opened in May 1960.
The donation made by Nadia Léger and Georges Bauquier in 1969, including the building, garden and almost 350 works, created a place representative of Léger's career.
Influenced by Neo-Impressionism and later by Cézanne and the Cubists, Léger developed a theory of contrasting forms and colors, promoting an accessible art adapted to modern life, including cinema, theater, the artist's book and crafts such as stained glass and mosaics.

Collections and Exhibitions

A wealth of preserved graphics

The museum houses an important collection of graphic arts, reflecting Léger's rigorous working method and multidisciplinary approach.
These include maquettes for monumental projects, stand-alone works and artist's books.
These pieces, often too fragile for permanent display, are showcased in temporary exhibitions.

These include:
- studies for costumes and sets for shows such as the Swedish Ballet's "Skating Rink" (1922),
- projects for public and religious commissions, including the mosaic for the Litany of the Virgin (1947)
- stained-glass windows on the theme of Christ's Passion (1950).
- Works such as "J'ai tué" (1919) and "Cirque" (1950) testify to his talent as a draughtsman, capturing everyday objects with remarkable precision during the 1930s.

 

 

Temporary exhibitions

Every year, the Musée Fernand Léger presents a new series of exhibitions.
Discover the exhibition of the year >

 

Musée Léger building

Original Architecture by André Svetchine

The museum was designed by Russian architect André Svetchine (1908-1991), who imagined the building on a natural elevation surrounded by a lush garden of Mediterranean essences.
This emblematic building incorporates the principle of mosaic "wedging" between two exposed stone walls, one of Svetchine's architectural signatures from the 1950s.
Inside, the museum features 400 m² of glass mosaics by Heidi and Lino Mélano, as well as two ceramic high reliefs by Roland and Claude Brice.
These works, with their sporting motifs, are based on Fernand Léger's original design for the Hanover stadium.
The entrance hall is further enhanced by a monumental 9 m^2 stained-glass window, based on a work by Léger and executed by Lausanne glass masters Aubert and Pitteloup.

Expansion by Bernard Schoebel

In 1987, the museum was enlarged under the direction of architect Bernard Schoebel, winner of the Grand Prix de Rome in 1964.
The new addition, perpendicular to the original building, doubled the exhibition space over two floors, while maintaining the original proportions.
Georges Bauquier, in charge of the project, enriched the new facades with mosaics by Heidi Melano, inspired by Léger's mural studies.
In addition, Jacques Loire designed two large stained-glass windows in glass slabs set in concrete, a method already used by Léger for the churches in Audincourt and Courfaivre, enabling precise fabrication in the workshop before installation on site.

Rénovation Moderne by Marc Barani

The renewal of the museum in 2004 was entrusted to Marc Barani, a renowned Nice architect.
He transformed the west facade, adding a large bay window that illuminates the entrance hall and offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean garden.
At the request of Maurice Fréchuret, Director of the National Museums of the Alpes-Maritimes at the time, the first floor was dedicated to temporary exhibitions, reserving the first floor for the permanent collections.

The Museum Garden

The Garden Designed by Henri Fisch

The garden, designed by Henri Fisch in collaboration with André Svetchine, has become a haven of peace for visitors.
This shady park features an undulating meadow framed by cypress trees, a pine forest and olive groves, providing an ideal backdrop for the mosaics adorning the building's facades.
Henri Fisch has also collaborated on other famous museum projects, bringing his expertise to the design of artistic and sensory gardens.

Various events during the year  

Discover a series of fun events organised throughout the year: circuses, readings for children, film screenings, conferences, exhibitions, and educational workshops.

The Circus at the Fernand Léger Museum

A program focusing on the circus arts is prepared throughout the year.
Discover "Circles in Action", 3 highlights:

• "Les ANnANnAS": 2 artists will present singing, music, trapeze and fabric spear movements.
• Sunday 14 March 2021, at 3pm.
• "Compagnie Si Seulement".
• Sunday 18 April 2021, at 3pm. 
• "Circus Party!"
• Saturday 15 May 2021, from 7pm to 10.30pm

 

Reading sessions for children and adults

The Fernand Léger museum and the Biot media library are organising reading and visual arts sessions. 

For children, the Fernand Léger Museum offers musical awakening and learning to read for the very young:
Bébés lecteurs" session (children aged 0 to 3)
Readings and rhymes inspired by the work of Fernand Léger.

For adults:
Readers' Cafés: Discuss your favorite books, go behind the scenes of the museum and discover previously unpublished works.

Family workshop visits

Open to young and old alike for a fun time, you can choose between several workshops. A way of making culture and art history more accessible to as many people as possible. The programme is available online on the website. (link) 

School holidays: Wednesdays, 2pm to 3:30pm.
School vacations: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lecture tours: first Sunday of each month, 11am (free admission).

Family workshops: 04 92 91 50 20
E-mail: regie.biot@rmngp.fr

A lunch break in the park

The garden of the Musée Fernand Léger is the ideal place for a family lunch break.
Discover the mosaic façade and exterior structures of the building from the garden. It features an undulating meadow, enhanced by cypress trees, bordered by a pine forest and a row of olive trees. Take a break at the Table du Musée restaurant and enjoy the beautiful, freely accessible landscape. The refreshment bar welcomes you for coffee, lunch or ice cream...

Don't miss this family and cultural place to spend a pleasant time with your loved ones! 

The Bookshop-Boutique

Find many ideas for gifts and souvenirs to buy from the Museum Bookshop. A selection of items for all tastes and ages: 

Postcards, exhibition catalogs, reproductions of Léger's works, monographs, posters...
Games, books and coloring books for children
Accessories and jewelry

Select your favorite products here and order them now online !

Open daily except Tuesdays, January 1, May 1 and December 25.
May - October: 10am to 5:45pm
November - April: 10 am to 4:45 pm

 

Opening hours

Duration of visit: 1h30 or 2h (1h for temporary exhibitions)

Open every day except Tuesday
May - October: 10 am to 6 pm
November - April: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exceptional closures: January 1, May 1 and December 25.

Audioguide downloadable on smartphone with QR codes. Don't forget your headphones.
Adult tours: French, English, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish.
Children's tours: French and English

Prices

Prices outside exhibition period:
Full price: €5.50
Reduced price : 4 €
Group rate (minimum 10 people) 5 € per person

Exhibition prices:
Full price: €7.50
Reduced price: €6
Group price (minimum 10 people) €7 per person

Twinned ticket between the Marc Chagall Museum and the Fernand Léger Museum, valid for 30 days from the date of issue of the ticket: 13 € to 15 € depending on the exhibition. 

Free for :

• Under 26s (EU members)
• Disabled public (with MDPH card)
• Teachers (education pass in progress)
• 1st Sunday of the month for all
• Booking and information

Self-guided tours (individuals)
Ticket includes audioguide (ID required)
Free admission - audioguide €2

Self-guided (groups) / guided tours
04 93 53 87 28
visitelibre-mn06@culture.gouv.fr

Access

Free parking