"Beautiful medieval village on the rocks" Éze by Pavlik_NL

Eze, it's in every travellers guide that tells about the Cote d'Azur and yes, it's very touristic. Still, even if you don't like the masses, this place is something you shouldn't left aside. Eze is spectacular in it's situation, high on top of a rock, looking out over the surrounding mountains and - of course - the blue blue Mediterranean sea. Scenery here is like coming right out of a picturebook, but that you can see in the next few pages about medieval Eze.

Built on a most peculiar and difficult spot

In early medieval times a castle dominated the rock. Now only ruines of that castle are left. A castle always ment a protective place and though here built in a difficult place (a steep rocky mountainsside), other people drew to the safety of this castle and started building their houses around it. Streets were made, winding up and consisting for the major part out of steps (stairs). Relgious times brought the church, that with it's tower competed with the castle donjon (eventually it won the race, as the castle is practically gone these days.

Cacti at the place where once the knight lived

A place that attracts many people, also atrtacts commerce. In Eze there are many small ateliers and artists shops that sell a wide variety of paintings, sculptures and other "art"-objects. The prices are of course according to the place and the visitors (exclusive place and people that are on a holiday, so do not watch their expenses that closely). On top of the rock, where the castle used to be is a exotic botanical garden and though it is somewhat thievish that one has to pay for it, one has to enter this part to have the best photographical spots over the village and the coast.