Èze is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, and although I have not travelled much in the country, I doubt that this is not true.
The small town is located approximately 12 km from Nice and 9 km from Monaco. Therefore it is worthwhile to set aside a day to visit it.
The village extends from the Mediterranean Sea, where it is called Èze-sur-Mer (I wrote about it in here) to the top of a hill, where is the medieval area called Èze Village.
Èze Village is a destination that has been gaining fame on the French Riviera – or Côte d’Azur – whether for its medieval charm, the famous Jardin Botanique d’Èze or the many renowned shops, galleries and restaurants.
To be honest, I think it was one of the most beautiful towns I have ever visited.
I just loved walking through the charming cobbled alleys, full of shops, art galleries, hotels and restaurants.
And the cool thing is that cars are not allowed, because the narrow streets are a real maze and it’s a delight to get lost in the middle of such a beautiful place.
For being on top of a mountain, the town is full of steep slopes and is not suitable for wheelchair users and, for those with baby strollers, I think it is a little tricky to stroll there.
The village is like a fortress, and unless you are in one of the hotels, there is not much of a view of the Mediterranean Sea. Thus we sat at Château Èza to get a drink and appreciate that beautiful landscape.
Then, we went to the Jardin Botanique d’Èze, or Jardin Exotique d’Èze, which is right at the top of the hill, costs €6 and is just fantastic. More info here: https://www.jardinexotique-eze.fr/en/
The botanical garden was created in the ruins of a castle after the Second World War. It was conceived by André Gianton mayor of the city and Jean Gastaud, the same man who created the Jardin Exotique de Monaco.
Because it is protected from winds coming from the north and is located on a very steep rocky terrain, ensuring proper drainage, the place is perfect for planting cactus and succulents coming from all continents.
And it is there from the garden that you can have a breathtaking view!
I can’t remember for sure, but I think we spent about 1 hour walking through the garden, going up and down the multiple stairs and sitting down to rest and look at the beautiful landscape that the Jardin Exotique provides.
My tip is that you go to the village in the morning. We got there by 9-10 in the morning, and as time passed, the centre got more and more crowded. After twelve, it was packed.
There was a gastronomic festival in Èze the day we went, so there were several stalls selling food, and maybe that was why the village was quite crowded. But if in doubt, go early!
I think it takes about 2 hours to get to know the whole village, but we stayed longer because as I mentioned, we sat down for a drink and after the garden, we went to have a delicious crepe in one of the medieval restaurants.
Another tourist attraction is the famous perfume factory Fragonard and Galimard. But I didn’t have time to visit.
How to get there?
In my opinion, the easiest way is to go by car, because the road is beautiful, with breath taking views. And you can even stop in some of the stunning towns along the way, like the beautiful Villefranche-Sur-Mer. I’ve written about it here.
There is no train station in Èze Village, so if you want to go or return by train from Monaco or Nice, you need to get off at Èze-Sur-Mer station and take a bus or walk up the hill.
The pedestrian path is 2.5 km long and is called “Nietzsche Trail”, named after the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who walked at this path and wrote part of his works while he was in Cote d’Azur.
And how about you? Have you been to Eze yet? Be sure to let us know about your experience.
Have a lovely Day!
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