The Village
This has got to be one of the most charming, stunning and awe inspiring places in France!
Eze, Cote d’Azur
Two guard towers mark the entrance of Eze village and after a few steps the narrow streets, lined with beautifully restored medieval houses, provide freshness to your expedition. Artisans welcome you into their cave-like boutiques and cold beverages can be guzzled on the terrace of the salon de thé or of the café.
Time polished steps lead you through the arched passageways and shaded squares of this floral village. Refill your water bottle at one of the ancient fountains and splash the refreshing water upon your face before attacking the picturesque lanes which spiral up to the castle ruins.
The views from up here are utterly breathtaking! The deep blue water of the Mediterranean sea begs you to dive right in and the boats toing and froing from the port appear to be floating above the shimmering surface. But before you are beckoned down to the bay of Beaulieu (literally beautiful place), the spikey and colourful array of rare cactus and succulent plants in the exotic botanic gardens of Eze that surround the castle vestiges are certainly worth a wander around!
Eze Checklist :
-The White Penitents Chapel
-The parish church and its baroque nave
-The cemetery where the famous humorist Francis Blanche is buried
-The botanical garden of Eze
-Visit the Galimard soap factories and Fragonard perfume factory
-The Friedrich-Nietzsche path (L’Astrorama)
Parfumerie Fragonard, Grasse
– La Revère fort (Col d’Eze)
– Notre-Dame de l’Assomption d’Èze church; a historical monument
– The Nietzsche footpath: a 1 hour hike that links Èze sur Mer and Èze Village. Nietzsche stayed near the beach of Èze in search of literary inspiration.
– Fragonard perfume factory and insightful tour
-For a wonderful sea view, take the car up to more than 600m to walk in the park of the Revère and the Grande Corniche.
Tip: Parking can be tricky but there is a large carpark at the entrance of the historical centre just next to the tourist office.
The Bay of Eze
Now for that water! The castle ruins and botanical garden mark the start of the shaded pine forest footpath (Friedrich-Nietzsche) that leads you down to Beaulieu-sur-Mer for some much needed beach, boat and bistro time! This charming forested cove opens out to an authentic Med resort, often frequented by royals, where historical buildings have retained their original architecture and the strip is lined with date palms and carob trees.
Eze bay, Cote d’Azur
If history and art is your cup of tea, visit Villa Kerylos (an ancient Greek styled villa), The Santa Maria de Olivo chapel regularly hosts exhibitions and the André Cane Heritage Museum walks you through the history and discoveries in the town.
If you lean more towards R & R, let the kids run off to the playground while you relax on the sunny beach, go out sailing or get active with a game of beach volley or tennis.
Visiting Eze in June? Attend the boat and local fisheries exhibition.
Visiting in July? Nights Guitars music festival welcomes some of the greatest musicians from around the world.
Visiting in September? The town hosts the Beaulieu Classical Music Festival. Prestigious concerts are performed by the greatest classical musicians from across the globe.
Every first weekend in September, the town comes alive for its annual fête du village, with pétanque competitions, communal meals, dancing and rides for the little ones.
Nearest villages to Eze:
| La Tubie | 4 km | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Cap d'Ail | 7.3 km | Map |
| Beaulieu Bay Beach | 7.5 km | Map |
| Villefranche sur Mer | 7.8 km | Map |
| Monaco | 8 km | MAp |
| Saint Jean Cap Ferrat | 10 km | Map |
| Nice | 12 km |
Nearest Restaurants:
How to get there :
Plane: Nice (25 mins)
Train: Eze bord du Mare ( 12 mins)
Car: See map