Painting the French Riviera

Long before it was a celebrity playground, the Riviera was where modern art properly caught fire — Matisse in Nice, Signac in Saint-Tropez, Cézanne working the light around L'Estaque. This show traces that arc across more than 160 paintings, sculptures, travel posters and film clips, ending with the mid-century glamour the coast became famous for.

It's a big, generously-hung exhibition that rewards a slow wander rather than a rush, and easily fills a gallery afternoon for couples or art lovers alike. The Royal Academy's galleries are step-free throughout, and it's easy to combine with a wander round Piccadilly afterwards.