National Sports Museum on the French Riviera
The Musée national du sport is located on the western outskirts of Nice. The building is an integral part of the Allianz Riviera stadium which, with its 35,624 spectator seats, is home to the city’s best soccer club, OGC Nice.
The museum is also close to the river Var, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, just 5 kilometers further south at Nice airport.
Impressive collections
The museum was designed by French architect, Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and opened in 2014. With hundreds of thousands of documents and artefacts, the museum is an exciting window into the fascinating history of sport.
The premises contain an impressive treasure trove of sporting mementos and examples of historical costumes and trophies, as well as photographs and films, which tell the stories of iconic moments and the sportspeople’s achievements, in the past and present.
The temporary exhibition
The museum is divided into a permanent and a temporary exhibition, which often takes up current events, can be viewed for a limited period of time. In 2024, for example, there will be an exhibition on women’s achievements in the history of the Olympic Games, which is up-to-date by the fact that the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics will be held in Paris in July and August 2024.
You can buy a single admission ticket to both exhibitions, but you can also choose just one.
The permanent exhibition
You can explore all sorts of sports at the permanent exhibition, which focuses on the achievements of French athletes and athletes through the ages. At the exhibition, you get a close look at bicycles from several centuries, from the start of competing on the overturned Peter, with the very large front wheel without chain drive, and through to today’s racing bike with 20 gears, carbon frame, hydraulic discs brakes and a breakneck top speed.
Also get a look at sailing, motorsport, golf, and the wide range of ball games. And much more.
One of the 31 Olympic torches on display
From the age of the bicycle - an old bicycle
Female sports stars in black outfit
Foldball scarves
Oscar de la Hoya's boxing gear
Jules Bianci's F1 racer from 2015
From the souvenir shop
From the souvenir shop
Burn off the last energy!
Should you – and perhaps the children – still have some energy, the permanent exhibition also offers various activities where you can measure your own abilities and endurance against the world stars.
In the lobby, you will find several possibilities with access to playful and interactive activities, as well as a small café and a souvenir shop at the exit. The museum is thus worth visiting on various aspects if you want to learn more about French and international sports history.
Opening hours and admission
The National Sports Museum is open daily, except Mondays.
In the summer from 10am to 6pm and in the winter from 11am to 5pm.
Admission starts at 8 € for one exhibition and 10 € for both exhibitions. For groups, the price is 4 €/person.
Guided tours and special events are also available.
By Mikael Mortensen – 2024
