Before visiting the French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur), it’s easy to fill your plans with the glitz and glamour associated with places like St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, and Cannes. Many wouldn’t have even heard of Èze, nevertheless decide that it deserves a spot on their itinerary.
Trust me. This charming little coastal village, perched on a rugged mountaintop with stunning views over the Mediterranean, was one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Southern France. Èze is conveniently tucked between Nice and Monaco (~10km from each), which makes it an easy day trip from either city. Read on for how to get there, things to do, and why Èze is a must see while visiting the French Riviera.
Where to go in Èze?
Before heading to Èze, it’s important to understand how the town is situated. We skipped Èze Bord-de-Mer and went straight to Èze Village, and then hiked up to Col d’Èze. We recommend this if you’re just doing a day trip.
- If we start at sea-level, we have Èze Bord-de-Mer. Here you’ll find a rocky beach, as well as hikers getting ready to embark for Èze village.
- Then we have Èze Village, which is ~400 meters above sea-level. Here you’ll find stunning medieval architecture, narrow pedestrian alleyways, and boutique shops basically carved into the stone walls.
- Finally, at ~650 meters altitude you have Col d’Èze, a mountain pass that’s famous for cyclists
How to get from Nice to Èze?
The night before, in a pub in Nice, we met a friendly Irish girl named Katie. Katie urged us that if there’s one thing we do while we’re in Nice, it should be a visit to Èze. We are so glad she convinced us, and thankfully she was even kind enough to tell us how to get there!
From Nice, you need to take the bus #82 from Gare Routière Nice Côte d’Azur directly to Èze Village.
Things to See and Do?
1. Admire the medieval architecture. Randomly, it is said that Walt Disney spent a lot of time in Èze. He also fueled the idea of repurposing a restaurant into the 5-star boutique hotel, La Chèvre d’Or.
2. Jardin Exotique d’Èze (Exotic Garden) – a garden of cacti and succulents on a cliff 400 meters above the Mediterranean sea. With panoramic views extending all the way to St. Tropez, your Instagram will thank you later
3. Hike to Col d’Èze. If you make it to Èze Village, do yourself a favor and follow the signs up a bit further (~30min climb), towards Col d’Èze. If you have any trouble finding the route, just ask the tourist center or a local shopkeeper. At the top, you will find the Fort de la Revère with incredible vantage points. The best part? The view from here will still include the sea and the mountains, but also Èze Village!
Bottomline, Èze is a must see while visiting the French Riviera. While you’re in the region, check out our tips for a Sneaky Day Trip: Marseille to Calanque de Sugiton
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