Eze is a beautiful hilltop medieval village in the south of France, between Monaco and Nice. The village is famous for its spectacular views, impressive architecture, and stunning geographical location above the French Riviera. Discover the best 10 Things To Do in Eze Village!
About Eze
- Eze is located in southern France, between Monaco and Nice. The village is only about 12 km away by car from the city of Nice.
- The village is located on a hilltop of a high cliff about 1,400 feet above the sea level.
- History fact: In 1338, the House of Savoy took charge of the village Eze and fortified it.
10 Things To Do in Eze Village
1. Stunning Views
As you can see from these pictures, Eze is famous for offering astonishing views of the Mediterranean Sea and the French Riviera, also known as Cote d'Azur:
The reason that the views are so amazing from any vantage point in Eze is that the village is located on a hilltop of a high cliff about 1,400 feet above the sea level - with the Mediterranean Sea underneath it. The unbelievable views are everywhere you look :
2. Architecture - Fortified Stronghold
But it's not only the views that capture your eyes, as you're walking the streets. The village has been built as a fortified stronghold during the Medieval period, and the beautiful architecture reflects that.
3. Chapelle de la Sainte Croix
The structures here are several hundred years old, and the oldest building in Eze is this beautiful chapel: Chapelle de la Sainte Croix built back in 1300's.
4. Hotels, Shops, and Galleries
There are a couple of really nice hotels right in this hilltop village and lots of shops and galleries, all housed in medieval style buildings.
5. Walking through narrow Streets and Steps
Walking the narrow streets of this town is like being transported back to the Middle Ages.
Be prepared to walk up the hill quite a lot, and then down the hill, on the way back. In this little town, you do need good walking shoes to walk these medieval pathways and steps:
6. Greenery
The Eze village is also famous for its beautiful greenery like these cacti growing along the wall:
7. Exotic Garden
If you love botany, Eze has a beautiful Exotic Garden (Le Jardin exotique d'Eze) with lots of exotic cacti and other botanical species. The lovers of botany should definitely check it out.
8. Chateau Eza
Eze village has 2 amazing hotels right in the village. We stayed in one of them, Chateau Eza:
This boutique hotel is a renovated 400-year-old Chateau, with rooms and suites all along the hilltop. The views from the rooms are nothing short of spectacular. The hotel has a great restaurant and a beautiful deck where you can hang out, drink champagne cocktails, enjoy the views, and be very French. 🙂
9. Château de La Chèvre d’Or
Another notable hotel in Eze is Château de La Chèvre d’Or:
Château de La Chèvre d’Or is famous for its stunningly beautiful gardens with exotic animal statues. This hotel also has a bar and restaurant where you can relax and enjoy the views while drinking French wine.
10. Nietzsche path
Nietzsche path is a beautiful path to the Eze village. The views are amazing, and it's great exercise! Don't forget to wear shoes appropriate for hiking, since you have to climb up the hill and then back down the hill.
Why visit Eze
Because Eze is situated so close to Nice and Monaco, it's a perfect day trip from those 2 locations. If you happen to stay in Nice or Monaco and have an extra day to spare, I highly recommend that you visit Eze village and explore its medieval streets and architecture.
Trip to Eze is a relaxing one. It's all about enjoying the beauty of nature and your surroundings. Everywhere you look, the views are so different but all spectacular:
Hi..
Will be in Cannes on a cruise stop from 10 am to 7 pm may 4th.(Thursday)
Would like to do the Nietzsche trail or similar ,any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jose
PS you have a inspiring page!
Hi Julia! Great post thanks for this. We are planning a trip May 2023, will drive to Eze but wondering if parking is an issue if we stay at Chateau Eza, and if we have to carry luggage up many steps from the car? Thanks so much! Grateful for your input.
Valerie, are you staying at the Chateau Eza? If you are, they will carry all the luggage for you! We didn't carry anything. We did have the car, but I don't remember if they parked it for us. I don't remember that parking was ever an issue there!
also, here is a short article I wrote about Chateau Eza that you might find interesting:
https://juliasalbum.com/chateau-eza/
Thank you so much! Yes looking to book Chateau Eza as per your recommendation!
Enjoy this amazing adventure to the village of Eze!
Hi,Julia:
We have a very good trip, end on September to October Visit France, on October trip to Southern France, The Eze Village is my Dream, I have some friends Together.
they love Eze Village also, but the don't like at Eze Village need clime to much feel too tired. How do you think about? Please tell me your ideas. Thank you Very much!
I
Yes, there is a lot of climbing at Eze Village - but that's what makes it so beautiful! The village sits on a hilltop of a high cliff about 1,400 feet above sea level - and there are lots of stairs to climb. Something to consider before you go. There are so many other wonderful things to do in Southern France, though, you don't really have to go to Eze Village.
Hi Julia, you seems to know a lot about South of France.. You mentioned there are lot of other places to visit other than EZE. Could you please recommend a few " Not to Miss"places to visit South of France?I'm planning a trip with my 10 year old this summer
Saw it when I was in route to Neise with my now deceased parents. They were not capable of climbing hill into village so they said in auto, but I ran up & didn’t stay long. I want to see it again before I die. Now I want to stay there a go to restaurant too. Love it. Spectacular!
My late Mum loved Eze.. spent some magical days here. I particularly remember a restaurant we visited with stunning views.. This was back in the 70's and I so want to re-visit for the memories and for my Mum..still have pottery plate with 'il votre Eze on it. Drive back in the evening to Frejus.. suchvachappy time.
I loved your comment so much that it brought back memories & incentivized me to write one too. Thank you Paul.
My great grandfather Pierre Cassamali born 1876 in Brescia lived in Eze Village for many years until his death in 1961. He married Euphrates Olivie born on 24 July in Monaco.
According to his late daughter Dora Parodi - her father was a sculptor who worked on the Aquarium/Oceanarium in Monte Carlo as well as on the sculpture of the Sacre Coeur in Paris.
Also statues in Monaco cemetery.
Have picture of him with Monaco sculpture and some carvings of where he stayed in Eze Village.
Is there more information available about Pierre Cassamali that you could direct us to please. Thanks Denise
Hello
Where is the best hotel to stay in Eze?
Chateau Eza is the best hotel to stay in Eze, in my opinion.
We are planning a trip to the south of France for next year. Eze was on my list but I wasn't thinking of staying there, just a day trip. The hotel looks amazing and I'm what if a day trip will give us time to capture what Eze has to offer?
I think a day trip is enough to capture what Eze has to offer. Eze is so beautiful and really worth visiting!
My husband and I visited Eze village in 1983 when we were staying in Monaco. I still have the lovely heart trinket that my husband purchased for me.
Elizabeth, that's so romantic! I wonder how much Eze Village has changed since 1983 or is it pretty much the same?
Eze or St. Paul de Vence? Which place is better for a first-time visitor? Thank you.
I would choose Eze. What makes Eze different from other medieval hilltop villages, is that Eze is perched high on top overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The sea is right there and the views are amazing! Not all hilltop villages are perched directly over the sea. I highly recommend that you go have a drink or a lunch during the day time at Chateau Eza - their restaurant has some of the best views and picture opportunities.
Interesting ! Getting plan then 🙂 tq for sharing
Thank you for sharing this recommendation Julia! Can we get there by train from Nice?
Patricia, I don't remember about the trains between Nice and village Eze. I remember it was a very brief trip by car. There might be a bus between these 2 towns, too - but I am not sure.
There's a bus that goes directly from Nice to Monaco, and then back from Monaco to Eze. It's the simplest way to get around without a car. Be sure to get on the bus in Nice early, as the bus to Monaco fills up VERY fast and won't allow you on once full.
Kaylee, thank you for these tips!