"Eze - one of the most accessible perched villages" Éze by NiceLife

Éze Travel Guide: 207 reviews and 643 photos

Eze - popular perched village

Fabulous views from the tropical garden toward Cap Ferrat reward you for visiting Eze Village, perched on the hills high above Eze bord-de-mer. The picturesque little village is a firm favourite of visitors from the Med cruise boats that anchor in the bay of Villefranche, along with Monaco.

Its cobbled streets are home to lots of tourist boutiques and artists ateliers, and it boasts two very swanky hotels - Chateau Eza and the Chevre d'Or, both of which offer fine dining and stunning night time views for their privileged guests. The leading perfume factories from Grasse also have outlets in Eze to tempt the flow of visitors, and there are a number of bars and more modest restaurants, including the Eagles Nest (Nid d'Aigle)

There is an infrequent bus service from Eze bord de Mer railway station ( 83) and two buses from Nice - (82 and 112) however the most convenient access is taxi, which is why they are fairly plentiful at Villefranche, and of course the dozens of cruiseboat excursion buses.

From Eze Village there is a forty-five minute scrambling path down to Eze Bord-de-Mer named after Friedrich Nietzsche , the "Sentier Nietzsche ". While the German philosopher was staying in Eze, he wrote a chapter of his magnus opus "Thus Spake Zarusthra" in which he praises war, the warrior's spirit, cruelty and vanity. And so we find austere philosophy is not incompatible with topping up your tan.

The beach at Eze Bord de Mer is home to super group U2 frontman Bono's three storey villa. From here, Bono can contemplate in total comfort the vexing issues of the day: climate change, world poverty, and where to go for lunch.

Eze village

Pretty winding streets

Walk the winding narrow lanes of Eze, steeped in age, a wonderful antidote to modern-day urban living. Crooked, mishappen, asymetrical, delights at every turn.. The four star Chateau Eza hotel has a long association with an ancient King of Sweden. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view while nursing a very expensive glass of beer, though the best views are reserved for those dining on its terraces.

On a cautionary note, I hear people say "Oh I've booked a week in Eze" and the heart sinks - honestly you will be stretched to occupy your time here for a week (unless possibly on your honeymoon) and the transport connections are not especially helpful. Eze is a perfect "half day excursion" for most visitors.

There is one exception to this however. If you are into hiking or VTT cycling, Col d'Eze about 2km above Eze village (end of the bus line) is the gateway to the Rivieras most glorious Nature Park, the Grande Corniche. At a height as much again above Eze Village, you can be walking waymarked paths to Fort Revere and La Turbie, the most breathtaking panorama of the region.

Mediterranean cacti tropical gardens

Sun-drenched tropical splendour

The tropical garden of Eze which occupies the highest point of the village has a monopoly of the sea view, and charges admission, so you have no option but to pay for the view.

It offers a good display of Mediterranean flora, especially varities of cactus, but you should not lose sight of its main purpose - access to the great 360 degree view up and down the Rivier coastline. (Monaco's Jardin Exotique offers a vastly superior collection of cacti in an even more stunning setting)

Pros and Cons

Pros:An interesting excursion
Cons:Not really for more than a day and touristy in high season
In a nutshell:An interesting excursion from Nice

Last visit to Éze: Aug 2009
Intro Updated Aug 15, 2009
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Reviews (8)

Eze Village panoramic view Off The Beaten Path (1)

For a fine panoramic view of Eze Village right down to the sea at Eze Bord de Mer, walk along the bridge approaching Eze... more travel advice

Bono's neighbour, Julian Lennon Things to Do (6)

Offspring of departed Beatle John and first wife Cynthia, Julian Lennon has a villa some hundred yards fom Bono. Bounded... more travel advice

Views over Eze bord de Mer and beyond - Éze

Jardin Equotique and commanding views Things to Do (6)

Eze Village is crowned by its Jardin Exotique. The four Euro admission is an essential part of a visit to Eze Village... more travel advice

Eze Cathedral Things to Do (6)

Suprisingly large and beautifully finished, the major church at Eze village more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Bus services to Eze and Nice

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Comments (6)

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davidtee Jun 17, 2007 at 12:10 PM

We honeymooned in Èze in 1964. From Nice we called the hotel. "Non monsieur, we are a restaurant now!" So, train to Èze-sur-Mer, staying at La Mimosa. Visits to the 'hanging Èze', lunch at our hotel manqué, and bought a wonderful piece of local pottery.
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Dabs Jan 7, 2007 at 8:24 PM

My husband is still cursing at me for making him walk up that "hill"! Especially when we got to the top and he saw all the buses and taxis, he thought you HAD to walk up ;-)
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nicolaitan Nov 16, 2005 at 9:51 AM

very nice page - great fotos and comments. Sounds like a tough hike up the hill. We drove into the parking lot, saw half a dozen tour busses, and left asap for Tourette-sur-Loup. Looks like we missed a great place.
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cadzand Nov 16, 2005 at 9:33 AM

I ciould tell you a whole story about my experience with the view from Eze. Brings back very nice memories though. Thanks for sharing.
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vivalasteph Apr 7, 2004 at 9:47 AM

Nice pics, Andrew! I must get back to see your updated Nice pages!
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morgane1692 Apr 4, 2004 at 2:01 PM

Eze has a heavenly view of the sea, no doubt about it! and your motto is so true as well...;-O