What is there to see? What to discover? Introducing Èze!
What to see in Èze, a medieval village on the Côte d'Azur?
The view from the citadel /Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
Clinging at 429 meters altitude above the Mediterranean Sea, Èze is a veritable postcard setting. This typical medieval village, with its narrow streets and ochre stone houses, seems suspended between sky and sea. You can stroll through it as if in an open-air museum, between vaulted porches, flower-filled staircases and artisan stores.
Eze is perched more than 400 meters above the waves / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos.
Heritage lovers will appreciate the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, built in the 18th century in a sober, elegant Baroque style, whose ochre bell tower stands out magnificently against the azure sky. Once a fortified village, Èze still retains some traces of its ramparts, and just climb to the top of the old town to enjoy an unforgettable view of Cap-Ferrat and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
The medieval village is magnificent / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos pixemac
Jardin exotique d'Èze: a balcony suspended over the Mediterranean
Built after the Second World War on the ruins of the former medieval château, the Jardin exotique d'Èze is one of the most beautiful on the Côte d'Azur (access for a fee, but well worth it).It blends landscape art and botany, with an impressive collection of succulents and cacti from all over the world.But what makes the place so magical is the view: from the garden's terraces, you can dominate the Mediterranean at 360°, from the Cap de Nice to the Italian coast.
Que de plantes à découvrir dans le jardin exotique d'Eze / Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
The garden is also punctuated by contemporary sculptures by Jean-Philippe Richard depicting slender female figures. A poetic and mineral interlude not to be missed.
The garden is adorned with works of art / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Jérôme Prod'homme
The Nietzsche trail: a hike between nature and philosophy
This mythical trail links Èze-sur-Mer (below) to the perched village of Èze. It owes its name to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who liked to walk it during his stays on the Côte d'Azur. He is even said to have been inspired to write his book So Spoke Zarathustra while walking it. The hike, about 1h15 uphill, offers immersion in Mediterranean garrigue with its pines, arbutus and scents of thyme. The path, sometimes steep, climbs 400 meters with grandiose views of the sea. It's advisable to do it in the cool of the morning, to take full advantage of the light and avoid the heat.
Fountain in the courtyard of the "Golden Goat" hotel in the old village of Eze, France / Image chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos tashka2000
How to get to Eze from Nice or Monaco?
- By car : Èze is ideally located between Nice (12 km) and Monaco (9 km), and benefits from excellent accessibility. By car, it's reached via the Moyenne Corniche (D6007), which winds between cliffs with spectacular panoramas at every turn. Paid parking is available at the entrance to the village, which can then be reached on foot.
- By train, Èze-sur-Mer station is served by TER trains on the Marseille-Vintimille line. From here, you can reach the hilltop village on foot via the Nietzsche trail, or by cab or bus. Bus routes 82 and 112 connect Nice directly to Èze-Village with frequent stops.
- By plane: Nice Côte d'Azur international airport is around 30 minutes away by car. It's also possible to combine a visit to Èze with one to nearby Beaulieu-sur-Mer or La Turbie.
