Moving a work of art in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and on the French Riviera

The French Riviera: a centre for art

The French Riviera is home to an exceptional concentration of art galleries and museums. From Saint-Paul-de-Vence to Nice, by way of Cannes and Mougins, moving works of art is a regular need for galleries, collectors and cultural institutions.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence: the artists' village

A unique artistic heritage

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is home to many art galleries and artists' studios:

• Fondation Maeght: one of the most important collections of modern art in Europe
• The galleries of Rue Grande: paintings, sculptures, photographs
• Artists' studios in the medieval lanes

The challenges of moving art in Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The medieval hilltop village brings specific constraints:

• Narrow lanes, reserved for pedestrians
• Steps and vaulted passageways
• Limited parking (car parks outside the village)
• Vibration from the old cobbles

The major cultural institutions of the French Riviera

Nice

• MAMAC (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art)
• Matisse Museum (Cimiez)
• Chagall Museum
• Numerous galleries around the Port and in Vieux-Nice

Cannes

• Palais des Festivals: temporary exhibitions
• La Malmaison: art centre
• Galleries on La Croisette and Rue d'Antibes

Mougins

• Mougins Museum of Classical Art (MACM)
• A village historically linked to Picasso

Antibes

• Picasso Museum (Château Grimaldi)
• Galleries in the old town of Antibes

How do you move a work of art safely?

Preparation

1. Assessing the work: dimensions, weight, fragility, value
2. Made-to-measure packing:
   • Acid-free tissue paper (neutral pH)
   • Expanded polyethylene foam
   • Double-wall corrugated cardboard
   • A wooden crate for high-value pieces
3. Shock protection: corner protectors, padding

Transport

For a valuable work, specialist fine art carriers use:

• A climate-controlled vehicle: controlled temperature and humidity
• Air suspension to limit vibration
• Secure strapping with ratchet straps (never tightened directly on the work)
• A planned route to avoid poor roads

Insurance

For moving works of art, specific insurance is essential:

• “Nail-to-nail” insurance (from taking the work down to re-hanging it)
• Cover for the declared value
• A condition report before and after transport

Paintings and fragile items: what AzurMove does

Our trade is removals and moving furniture, not specialist art transport. During a luxury villa removal or a single-item furniture move, your paintings, mirrors, light fittings and decorative objects are carefully packed and secured by our team.

For a high-value work that needs a made-to-measure crate, a climate-controlled vehicle or “nail-to-nail” insurance, it is better to use a specialist fine art carrier.