The Jean Cocteau Museum on a weekend on the Cote d’Azur

The Jean Cocteau Museum is a must-see in Menton. The Royal Westminster hotel in Menton has gathered information for you before you go.

Although Jean Cocteau hated museums, he loved the Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’Azur region, particularly Menton, which made him an honorary citizen. That’s how the idea of an eponymous museum was born. It has a touch of originality, worthy of the artist, which prevents fixed collections of works being exhibited, as he feared. On holiday in Menton? Don’t miss a visit to this museum!

Things to know before visiting the Jean Cocteau Museum

holiday in Menton is a unique opportunity to discover this pioneering museum on the Cote d’Azur. Before going, you should know that:

  • The museum is open from 10am to 6pm, except on Tuesdays. It’s closed on New Year’s Day, 1st May, All Saints’ Day and Christmas Day;
  • Concerts are planned for the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 12th of August. On these days, the museum closes at 5pm;
  • Visiting the collections and the temporary exhibition costs €8. A reduced rate of €6 is available for students, teachers, OAPs and large families. The half-price rate applies to professional partners and groups of 10 or more. It’s free to visit the Jean Cocteau Museum for children, disabled visitors and job-seekers – and for everybody on the first Sunday of every month;
  • Guided visits are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm, for an extra €6;
  • A total of nearly 250 works by Jean Cocteau will be exhibited in the museum (stories, ceramics, drawings, paintings, manuscripts, books, tapestries and photographs), of the 990 making up Séverin Wunderman’s donation which sparked the idea behind the museum. Jean Cocteau could indeed be considered to be a “complete” artist, as he contributed to many different artistic fields;
  • The museum is modern, given its recent construction. In fact,  it was opened to the public on 6th November 2011;
  • It hosts up to four different exhibitions a year. The current exhibition, “La chambre d’Orphée”, runs until 16th November 2015;
  • A range of events are held at the museum. In addition to its participation in European Heritage Days and European Museum Nights, the museum is also a partner of other key events. These include the Menton Music Festival;
  • The man behind the original shape of the museum, a white box with multiple tentacles growing out of it, is Rudy Ricciotti, recipient of the Grand Prix National d’Architecture. He won the international competition to find the director of this building, launched by Menton in 2007. Be amazed by this building on a weekend on the Cote d’Azur.

Now you know nearly all there is to know before heading to the Cocteau Museum. Take advantage of your holiday in Menton to visit this museum!