The International Museum of Naïve Art of Nice was set up in 1982 by Anatole Jakovsky, an art critic born in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova), whose life mission was to promote naïve art.
The 600-item collection once owned by Anatole Jakovsky is now the patrimony of the museum, and it consists of sculptures, paintings, drawings by Rimbert, Bauchant, Bombois, Vivin, Rousseau, Peyronnet. The collection is meant to present the history of naïve art as from the 18th century until now, featuring works of both national and international artists.
The collection is displayed in the so-called Chateau Sainte Helene, the former residence of the famed Coty family (producers of the namesake perfume), which is located in the calm Fabron district if Nice. Visitors also tend to appreciate the fortunate location of the museum, far from the crammed tourist areas of Nice.