Musee Jean Cocteau, Menton

Museum & art gallery in a beautiful modern building

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This gallery is dedicated to the French writer, artist and filmmaker Jean Cocteau but also host a number of exhibitions by various other artists.

Best known for being the author of Les Enfants Terribles and Beauty & The Beast, much of the museum's Jean Cocteau collection belongs to American business and Cocteau fan Séverin Wunderman. The collection contains approximately 1000 works by Cocteau including pencil, pastel and watercolour designs.

There are a number of collections housed within in the building, as well as temporary exhibitions by various artists.

The museum is equally popular for its impressive architecture, designed by Rudy Riccioti; clean, modern, bright and airy. It stands in contrast to the older more traditional museum nearby, which is included in the admission fee.

The Musee Jean Cocteau has a café with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a gift shop selling various books and prints.

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Visitor comments

"The museum shows the many talents of the man; in cinema, painting, writing. Even if you have little knowledge of him, it gives a good overview of all his work. There's a short film of him acting and also in which his partner, the actor Jean Marais, appears. The museum is ideally situated right by the sea and in the town centre. The entrance fee also includes a visit to the museum's annexe, a few minutes walk away in a small, renovated castle-like structure. There you can see more of Cocteau's work in a ten minute visit." - Trip Advisor
"Not only was Cocteau nicely presented but many of his contemporaries were also found (Picasso, etc). The exhibit space is very nicely presented with stunning visuals including videos. The museum is adjacent to the wonderful market so a great coupling of activities." - Trip Advisor
"I enjoyed the progression of M. Cocteau's career, starting from his poetry writing, then designing posters for plays, then playwriting, then painting and later acting, sculpting, doing tapestries and on and on. This was of the most important artists of the 20th century, a contemporary of Picasso and Modigliani and many others. The architecture by Ricciotti, is inspiring." - Trip Advisor

When to come

Musee Jean Cocteau is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, except for Tuesdays.

Seasonal closings include 1st January, 1st May, 1st November and 25th December.

Occasional closings may occur when new exhibitions are being installed, please check before visiting.

How to get passes

Tickets (8€) can be bought on the door - concessions (6€) available for students and people over 65. Free for children under 18, people with disabilities and job seekers.

Entry is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.