The Jeanne Augier Collection

A Hotel Akin to an Art Gallery

At the helm of Le Negresco from 1957 until her passing in 2019, Jeanne Augier infused the Belle Époque palace with a singular artistic identity. An avid collector of furniture, objets d’art, and paintings, Madame Augier scoured France in her quest for exceptional pieces, transforming Le Negresco into the “Versailles of the Côte d’Azur.” A mantelpiece from the Château de Hautefort and wood panelling from the Château de Chaintré were among the elements she selected to sublimate the hotel’s salons and restaurants. Over the decades, through auction houses and private sales, her collection grew to include over six thousand items of historic and artistic significance. The hotel today offers a panoramic display of the finest French decorative styles, from Louis XIII to the 20^th century.

Two essential aspects of this legacy are the remarkable collection of 17^th and 18^th century portraits and sculptures, and a carefully curated selection of modern artworks, testament to Madame Augier’s enduring commitment to living artists.

Her taste is also evident in the large-scale decorative ensembles she created, such as the bar Le Versailles, a faithful reimagining of a 17^th century drawing room. She preserved not only the splendour of the interiors, but also the architectural spirit of the building itself — a true monument of Belle Époque design. Today, the hundreds of masterpieces and singular objects on display make Le Negresco a hotel like no other.

A journey through Art and Time

19^th century and Belle Époque

17^th and 18^th centuries

Modern and Contemporary

Complete Guide to the Jeanne Augier Collections

We highlight seven emblematic pieces from the collection:

Miles Davis by Niki de Saint Phalle

This striking sculpture stands before the hotel, facing the sea. It has become one of Le Negresco’s most recognisable landmarks. Niki de Saint Phalle — one of the few women associated with the Nouveau Réalisme movement — spent nearly a year in Nice in 1953. This piece reflects her powerful stance against racial injustice towards African Americans. It contrasts beautifully with the voluptuous Nana Jaune, another of her works displayed within the hotel, offering a different facet of her artistic universe.

Portrait of Louis XIV in Coronation Robes

Displayed in the bar Le Versailles, with its grand fireplace and coffered ceiling, hangs one of only three official portraits of Louis XIV in coronation robes by Hyacinthe Rigaud. The other two reside in the Louvre and at Versailles. Draped in an ermine-lined blue cloak embroidered with fleurs-de-lys, the king is depicted with sword and sceptre — enduring symbols of justice and authority. Madame Augier acquired the painting to celebrate the virtuosity of 17th century French art.

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Baccarat Chandelier

Suspended from the ceiling of the Salon Royal is a spectacular chandelier crafted by Baccarat. Measuring 4.6 metres in height and composed of 16,800 crystal elements, it was originally one of a pair commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II for the Kremlin. However, the Russian Revolution intervened, and only one chandelier was ever delivered. Le Negresco proudly houses the counterpart that never reached Russia.

Tapestry: Time Enchained by Love

This wool-and-silk tapestry, based on a 1683 cartoon by David Teniers, hangs in Le Negresco’s bar, amidst dark wood panelling and subdued lighting. A superb trompe-l’œil, it depicts the angel-winged god of Love binding Time, portrayed as an old man with a scythe and hourglass. It was originally a wedding gift to the Princess of Alcaretto and the Prince of Arenberg. Its message? Love triumphs over time.

Yvaral Rugs in the upstairs corridors

The many corridors of Le Negresco shimmer with the lines of the carpet designed in 1974 by Yvaral, a founding member of the G.R.A.V. (Groupe de Recherche d’Art Visuel). A champion of art that is accessible, interactive, and playful, he used lines and colour to guide guests to their rooms. Yvaral was the son of Victor Vasarely, whose gouaches animate the corridors of the first floor.

Empire-Style Swan’s Neck Bed

Napoleon was among Madame Augier’s favourite historical figures. The “N” in Le Negresco’s logo bears an unmistakable resemblance to his imperial monogram. One of her favourite rooms was the Imperial Junior Suite (No. 415), decorated with eagles, griffons, and an Empire-style swan’s neck bed and armchairs – the swan being Empress Joséphine’s cherished emblem.

Bust of Madame Renoir

Auguste Renoir was one of many artists who settled on the French Riviera in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His home in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Domaine des Collettes, is now a museum. In Le Negresco’s lobby, facing the lifts, stands a charmingly naturalistic bronze bust of Aline Charigot – Renoir’s wife and muse. The artist had several casts made, and this one offers a tender glimpse into the private world of a master.