[1] It is home to the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts de Nice (National School of Fine Arts of Nice) and the Centre Nationale d'Art Contemporain (National Centre for Contemporary Art), and was created under a ministerial charter in 1972 by the Ministry of Culture.

[1][2] La Villa Arson was founded in 1881 as the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs.

[2] In 1981, la Villa Arson celebrated its centenary; and in 2002, only 30 years after its inauguration, it is designated a grands établissement for contemporary art by the Ministry of Culture.

[2] La Villa Arson is located on a hill in the neighbourhood of Saint Barthélemy, in the northern district of the city of Nice, and occupies a vast area of 23,000 m2.

[3] The site overlooks the city and the coastline of the French Riviera and is designed to emphasis its view, as-well-as vegetation and natural light, with the wide use of courtyards, terraces and gardens.