CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Painting & Culture in Nice

Bring your art to life in Nice, where masters like Henri Matisse found color, light, and endless inspiration.

Build your painting skills this summer as you explore color theory, composition, brushwork, and other fine arts techniques that help artists translate what they see into original work. In Nice, the Mediterranean light has inspired painters for generations.

Discover the vibrant world of the French Riviera and find inspiration on every corner. Join a plein-air painting workshop, explore the work of Henri Matisse, and discover urban art in Nice’s ports. Alongside fellow Global Navigators, you’ll experiment with new styles and materials to create a portfolio of original paintings that reflect your growth and creative voice.

Spend afternoons at the beach, people-watch in café-lined squares, and enjoy the easygoing Riviera rhythm with new friends. Take excursions to the Roman ruins of Arènes de Cimiez and Musée Matisse, then head to the hilltop village of Èze to learn the art of French perfumery and craft your own fragrance. Your time in Nice will sharpen your artistic eye, help you grow as a painter, and show you how creativity can shape your future in unexpected ways.