Villa Paloma (New National Museum of Monaco)

Here you are in front of Villa Paloma, at 56 boulevard du Jardin Exotique, at the entrance to Monaco. This elegant early 20th century house looks down over the city from its terraced garden. It was built around 1913 for an American, Edward N. Dickerson, and then changed hands several times. It took the name "Paloma" in the 1930s. In 1995 the Monegasque State bought it, and in 2010 it became the second exhibition venue of the New National Museum of Monaco, the NMNM, devoted to modern and contemporary art. There is no fixed route here: temporary exhibitions follow one another through the year. Inside, the villa has kept its grand staircase, stained glass, mosaics and columns, a setting that plays off the works on show. Outside, take time to stroll through the "antique style" garden designed by Octave Godard, a pupil of the great landscape architect Édouard André. And if you come on a Sunday, good news: admission is free. The Exotic Garden is right next door.

History

Villa Paloma dates from the early 20th century, when wealthy foreigners were building homes on the heights of Monaco. Around 1913 the American Edward N. Dickerson had the villa and its garden built. The house was sold in 1920, then sold again in 1925 to Robert W. Hudson. After his marriage in 1932, the property took the name "Villa Paloma", "dove" in Spanish.

Damaged during the Second World War, it was bought by Joseph Fissore, who had the gardens restored. In 1995 the Monegasque State became its owner. It was then converted into a museum and opened in 2010 as the second exhibition venue of the New National Museum of Monaco, the NMNM, alongside Villa Sauber. The first exhibition was called "La Carte d’après Nature".

Art and architecture

The villa keeps its original look. The grand staircase serves every level down to the garden floor, and the period decor is still there: stained glass in the entrance hall by the Nice glassmaker Fassi Cadet, mosaics, columns and ceiling cornices. Contemporary works settle into this Belle Époque setting, often creating striking contrasts.

The terraced garden is the work of Octave Godard, a pupil of the landscape architect Édouard André (1840 to 1911). He designed an "antique style" garden that steps down towards the city and the sea.

Anecdotes

So the villa’s name comes from a marriage rather than from an architect. As for the museum, the NMNM has a long ancestry: a local history museum in the 19th century, a fine arts museum at Villa Sainte-Cécile from 1935, then the National Museum founded in 1972 at Villa Sauber around a collection of dolls and automatons. In 2009 Marie-Claude Beaud became director of the NMNM, and Villa Paloma opened under her leadership. Today the museum holds, among other things, a major group of works linked to the painter Kees van Dongen.

What to look for

Stop first in the hall for the stained glass, then climb the grand staircase while looking at the ceiling details. Depending on the current exhibition, you will find painting, photography, installations or design. Finish in the garden: its terraces offer a pleasant pause and a view down over the city.

In autumn 2026, for example, the villa is showing "Victor Brauner, The Magical Adventure", from 3 July 2026 to 3 January 2027. Guided tours without booking usually take place on Saturdays at 11 am and Sundays at 3 pm: a good way into a contemporary art exhibition without feeling lost.

Practical

The villa is at 56 boulevard du Jardin Exotique, next to the Exotic Garden; a "Villa Paloma" bus stop is right in front. From Place d’Armes, expect a fairly steep walk uphill. The museum is usually open daily while exhibitions are on, from 10 am to 6 pm (11 am to 7 pm in July and August), and closed in particular during the 4 days of the Grand Prix. In 2026 the official website lists a full price of 6 euros, with free entry on Sundays and for under 26s. Villa Sauber is currently closed for works. Always check nmnm.mc before you go.

Nearby

Continue with the Exotic Garden and the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, both close by. To prepare your visit or listen to the museum’s podcast, go to nmnm.mc.

Test yourself

Sources

• NMNM : Villa Paloma
• NMNM : horaires et tarifs
• Wikipédia : Nouveau Musée national (Monaco)
• NMNM : publics en situation de handicap
• Wikipedia : New National Museum of Monaco

Information checked on 30 September 2026.