Exploring Èze, France: the Côte d’Azur’s enchanting mountaintop village
Panoramic views, higgledy-piggledy stone houses, and maze-like lanes enchant visitors in Èze, France. A place where galleries reign supreme, this artistic hideaway is brimming with life by day and delightfully peaceful by night. Close to Nice, this mountaintop town exudes medieval charm paired with sensational views.
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Your travel guide to Èze, France
Built in the middle ages some 400-odd metres above sea level, Èze village clings to the impossibly high cliffs towering above the azure waters that give the French Riviera its name. The stone walls which once fortified the town are little more than remnants these days, but the fairytale atmosphere continues to enthral guests of this medieval wonder.
While summer afternoons can become busy, Èze affords the splendour of lush forested surroundings as it stretches from the Cap Roux to Cabuel point. Carob, date, and citrus trees thrive in the warm year-round sunshine, as pine trees flank the coastal fringe, shading beachgoers from the midday heat.
This Èze travel guide ensures you’re prepared for a day trip or overnight stay in one of the Côte d’Azur’s fan-favourite destinations. From what to see and do to where to eat, drink, and shop, here’s how to make the most of your visit.
Where is Èze?
The medieval stone village of Èze has a prime location between Nice and the principality of Monaco on France’s southern coast. A charming addition to the Côte d’Azur, Èze clings to the mountainside enjoying stunning views across the Mediterranean.
How to spend a day in Èze
If you’re looking for things to do in Èze, whether you’re just visiting on a day trip or staying a little longer, this tiny village is loaded with great attractions.
Explore the labyrinth of stone laneways
Much of the charm of this hilltop village can be attributed to the weaving warren of stone laneways that twist across the craggy peak. Leafy vines climb to tiled rooftops and lanterns hang above the cobbled streets.
Galleries and artists’ workshops are woven into honey-coloured walls, a collection of paintings and sculptures dressing small town squares and window frames. Pop in to watch some of these talented artists at work or pick up a piece to dress your walls once you’re home.
There is little shade throughout the town, so I recommend packing your hat and sunscreen, especially in the warmer months.
Le Jardin Exotique
The most magical thing to do in Èze is visiting the beautiful botanical gardens at Le Jardin Exotique. A collection of cacti and succulents fill stepped garden beds that are built into the mountainside. Sculptures are peppered throughout the gardens, and the views are the best of anywhere in this charming village.
Sweeping vistas across the Mediterranean taking in the panorama from Saint Jean Cap Ferrat to Monaco are unrivalled, with cerulean waters juxtaposed against the red-roofed cottages within the hamlet.
If you can peel your eyes away from the views, even if only briefly, you’ll be spoiled with hundreds of plants that are split across two sections. A drier climate which is home to the desert species and a shadier, wetter climate on the north side for the tropical varieties, making this one of the best botanical gardens in the region.
At the top, the garden has been built around the remains of Èze castle that formerly occupied the highest point in the village, a reminder of the town’s origins.
THE DETAILS
Cost | €6.00 for adults, children under 12 are free
Open hours| January-March and November-December from 9am to 4:30pm, April-June and October from 9am to 6:30pm, July-September from 9am to 7:30pm
Have a drink at Chateau Eza’s terrace
Even if you aren’t spending the night, a stop at Chateau Eza Hotel’s terrace for a drink is a must-do. Seek respite from the afternoon sun and take in the exceptional views from the terrace as you sip on a glass of chilled rosé.
As you might expect from a five-star hotel, the drinks do not come cheap here. However, being surrounded by the historic walls of the chateau and unbeatable views of Èze sur Mer and beyond make every penny well-spent.
Find your scent at Fragonard Perfume factory
Discover the history of the region’s perfume heritage at Fragonard Perfume factory. Take a free tour of the facilities to learn about the historic process of extracting essential oils using steam distillation, a method perfected in the 8th century and adopted by perfume makers until today.
With scents of lavender, jasmine, and rose in the air, the smell is delightful. Starting as a family operation in the nearby village of Grasse, Eugène Fuchs opened the doors of Fragonard Perfumery in 1926.
If you like any of the perfumes you discover on the tour, you can pick up something to take home from the shop inside.
THE DETAILS
Cost | Free
Open hours | Daily from 9am to 6:45pm with tours starting every 30 minutes between 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm
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Uncover Chapelle de la Sainte Croix
The oldest of the buildings in Èze, Chapelle de la Sainte Croix was once the meeting place of the brotherhood of the White Penitents of Èze and a place where they would provide medical assistance to those in need and the poor, caring for the sick, and burying the dead. Built at the beginning of the 14th-century, the architecture is a reminder it was built at a time when the village belonged to the Republic of Genoa.
When visiting, you’ll notice the pebbled mosaic porch and high altar with the crucifix of Catalan origins that make this place of worship one sight not to leave off your list when visiting.
Admire the stunning L’Eglise d’Èze
L’Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is a beautiful, bright yellow neo-classical 18th-century church situated at the rear of the village on the Place de l’Église. Its clock tower rises up from the surrounding treetops, where it is not only stunning from the outside, the interior is equally as fascinating. A highlight is the Egyptian cross, a nod to the original Phoenician temple that was built here to honour the goddess Isis which the town is rumoured to owe its name to.
You don’t need too long here, however, it’s worth spending some time in this particularly peaceful corner of town and enjoy the tranquil location. Take in the sensational surroundings, meditate in the quiet of the church’s contentful ambience and take a breather before returning to the world outside.
Go swimming at Èze sur Mer
At the foot of the rocky hills, Èze sur Mer is the beachside perch for this town. A calm bay with a shallow beach, it’s the perfect place to cool off in summer. Reaching Èze sur Mer is possible from the village at the top, either on foot taking around an hour to hike or via the #83 bus.
If you only want to visit Èze sur Mer and not the village above, then you can take the L100 bus from Nice or hop on a train from Nice Ville station. I wouldn’t recommend these options if you plan on visiting the town though, as you’ll have to hike uphill which isn’t enjoyable in the summer heat.
Where to stay in Èze
Èze is a small village which means accommodation options are limited and usually more expensive than in nearby Nice or Monaco. However, if you’re looking for a little bit of luxury and to make the most of this sleepy hamlet, then spending the night is the way to go.
Hotels in Èze
Èze Hermitage Hôtel | Light and airy, this hotel comes complete with a pool to unwind by in the afternoon while the daytrippers fill the winding streets, It’s also one of the most affordable options in town.
La Chèvre d’Or | A private garden, wellness centre, and prime real estate make this an exquisite place to stay in Èze. From here explore the town early in the morning and after day-trippers depart, escaping any crowds by making the most of the hotel’s facilities.
Chateau Eza | If luxury is what you’re looking for, Chateau Eza is the crème de la crème of accommodation in Èze. Rooms are decorated in a Louis XIII style, the communal lounge boasts a cosy atmosphere complete with a wood fire for cooler weather, and balcony dining offers exceptional views across the Mediterranean. This is five-star luxury in every way.
Airbnbs in Èze
La Revère Room at Domaine Pins-Paul | If lavish living doesn’t quite match your budget, indulge with a stay at this airy bed and breakfast among the peace and quiet of olive and pine trees. Exposed beams and wrought iron details make this stay in a stone-crafted tower something to remember.
Tiny House d'Eze | An eco-friendly stay here gives you access to enjoy the remoteness of your location with the convenience of being close enough to Nice for all your major town requirements. This fully equipped wooden home features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace to take in the views the region is famed for.
Èze Village studio apartment | If you’d prefer to spend your travel funds elsewhere, this budget-friendly studio just outside the walled village centre provides convenient access to the beating heart of Èze with all the amenities to cook your own meals.
How to get to Èze
Whether you’re staying in Nice or Monaco, Èze is straightforward to reach from both locations. Just 12km from Nice, there are several bus services that will get you to Èze depending on where you’re departing from.
The bus L112 from Nice Vauban to Monte Carlo will have you dropped off at Èze Village. The buses run hourly from Monday to Saturday, but this service does not operate on Sundays.
You can also take the #82 Plateau de la Justice bus near Vieux Nice to Èze village. This service runs close to Nice port operating Monday to Saturday and is the only bus service from Nice to Èze on Sundays and public holidays running a limited service.
Tickets for the bus cost €1.50 or you can buy a 10-trip card which reduces the cost per journey to just €1.00. Tickets are also transferable to other services within 74 minutes throughout Nice, so you can use both the tram and bus if required on a single ticket.
It’s important that you don’t take the L100 that stops at Èze Sur Mer. This will drop you at the beach at the bottom of the mountain and the same place as the train station. If you venture to Èze Sur Mer, you will have to hike uphill to reach the town at the top of the cliff which takes over one hour and it’s not a well-defined path. You can find the local bus timetables here.
If you do want to visit the beach on your day trip to Èze, there is the #83 bus service from Èze Village to Eze Sur Mer, or you can walk down the hill. Though there’s not a clearly defined path and you will require sturdy shoes if you opt for this route.
If you’re driving to Èze, there is a small car park near the entrance to the village, however, this fills quickly during the summer months so I suggest you arrive early to secure a place.
When to visit Èze
Southern France benefits from mild winters and hot summers, with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. For the best weather and manageable crowds, March-May and September-October are the best time to visit.
June, July and August can be very hot and visitor numbers peak throughout the European summer, so I would personally avoid this time of year.
MAP | Things to do in Èze, France
To make things easy for you, I’ve created this map with everything mentioned throughout this guide of the best things to see and do in Èze, France. Simply download it and you’re on your way!
