* Eze from Nice – things to do in one day is the third part of the itinerary South of France itinerary 12 days in Provence and the French Riviera
Is Eze village worth visiting?
In southeastern Provence, high above the steep cliffs of the Mediterranean Sea, is located the medieval village of Eze, which skillfully combines the charm of Provence and the French Riviera. Easily accessible, Eze from Nice is only 12 km on the way to Monaco.
Eze village connects two settlements in one – the seaside village of Eze sur Mer and the hilltop medieval village of Eze le Village, which offers breathtaking panoramic views. It is these beautiful views that attract writers and artists, and the charm and romance of typical southern French villages surrounded by medieval walls make the village a popular tourist destination.

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Eze from Nice – how to get?
- By rent-a-car
Important!
Note that the car park below the medieval village is very small. There is a large car park a few kilometers outside Eze where you can leave the car and take a shuttle to and from. The price includes a ticket to visit the Exotic Garden.
- By bus 82 from Nice
- By train from Nice to the coastal village of Eze-sur-Mer and then hiking to the medieval village
Recommendation:
Eze is located just 9 km from Villefranche-sur-Mer. It is ideal to combine the two places with a visit in one day.
Where to stay in Eze?
Here are some recommendations for the best places you can stay in Eze.
- Hôtel Eze Hermitage entre Nice et Monaco is a charming hotel with a delightful garden and outdoor pool, located very close to the medieval Eze. The rating is Exceptional 8.7, and the price is 140 EUR per night for two.
- La Perle d’Eze – Aparthotel is located near the sea. The aparthotel offers its guests apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, terraces with sea views and an outdoor pool. The rating is Very good 8.4 , and the price is 265 EUR per night for two.
- Les Terrasses d’Eze – Hôtel & Spa offers panoramic sea views. It has a garden, a terrace and an outdoor pool. The rating is Very good 8.2, and the price for a night for two is 280 EUR.
- Hotel Cap Estel is in the higher price range and offers its guests luxury and all kinds of comforts. With its excellent location on top of a promontory jutting out into the sea, the hotel offers exceptional views of the sea. It has a private beach, and on the cape itself is an open pool, under which is the sea. Stunning! The rating is Excellent 9.4, and the price for a night for two is 1425 EUR.
- Villa de luxe à Eze is an extremely advantageous proposal for those of you traveling with a larger group of people than several families or friends. The villa is located near the sea, offers luxury and amenities, panoramic views, outdoor pool and garden. It is furnished in the typical style of the place and is very comfortable. Price for renting the whole villa – 600 EUR for 8 people.
- Chateau Eza is located in the medieval part of Eze and offers a unique view of the sea. The château is furnished in Louis XIII style, offers luxury, amenities and incredible cuisine. The rating is Excellent 9.0 and the price for a night for two is 800 EUR.
Eze from Nice in one day – what to see?
If you decide to visit Eze from Nice for just one day let’s see the top things to do.
Visit The medieval village
After a short walk along winding alleys from the foot of the fortress walls, you will find yourself in the medieval village, which has preserved the charm of the villages of Southern France. Narrow streets dotted with numerous shops and galleries lead to the 12th century château and the Exotic Garden (Le Jardin Exotique).


A brief history of the medieval village
The area is believed to have been first settled around 2000 BC. At that time, a settlement grew up near the Bastide mountain. Subsequently, the area was occupied by the Romans, and after them by the Moors. By 1388, Eze came under the jurisdiction of the House of Savoy, which turned the town into a fortified fortress due to its proximity to Nice. The city was captured by French and Turkish troops. In 1706, the walls around the city were destroyed by Louis XIV during the War of the Spanish Succession, and in 1860, Eze became part of France by the unanimous decision of the local inhabitants.

The Exotic Garden of Eze (Le Jardin Exotique)
The exotic garden is located on top of the medieval ruins in Eze-les-Village. Although little remains of the castle itself, the semi-tropical gardens are magnificent and the views over the village rooftops and coastline are outstanding. The gardens include a wide range of plants from different continents such as cacti, aloe and agave, rest and relaxation areas as well as a large Mediterranean garden. The garden paths are decorated with sculptures by Jean-Philippe Richard.
Opening hours:
Le Jardin Exotique is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the months of July, August and September; 9-18:30 April, May, June, October and from 9-16:30 in January, February, March, November, December.
Price:7 EUR, children under 12. – for free. If you use the shuttle from the parking lot, you also get a ticket to visit the garden.

The view of the Mediterranean
From the top of the garden, built on the ruins of the castle, there are breathtaking views across the Mediterranean to Italy and down the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer as far as Nice and St Tropez. On a clear day you can even see Corsica.

The remains of the fortress

The Mediterranean part of the garden
On the north side, a Mediterranean garden was built with waterfalls, caves and plants from the Provençal region. It is a great place to rest and relax, and the waterfalls provide coolness in the summer heat.
Notre Dame Church
Eze is often described as an “eagle’s nest” due to its location. The hill on which it is located is so high that the church of Notre Dame can be seen from afar. The Egyptian cross, which is kept in it, shows the ancient roots of the village. The Phoenicians built a temple on this site in honor of the goddess Isis. It is with her that the origin of the city’s name is associated.

The galleries of Eze
Stop and explore one of the many galleries in the village. You will definitely be captivated by the landscapes of Provence.

The Nietzsche Path
Many hiking trails connect the three levels of the city, passing between the coast, the village and Le Grande Carniche. The most famous is the Nietzsche Trail. It was in Eze that the philosopher was inspired to write his famous work “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”. This path starts from the middle and descends to the lower cornice.
Interesting fact
Walt Disney also lived in Eze for a long time.
See more:
How to spend 4 days in 10 villages and towns near Nice France
South of France itinerary 12 days in Provence and the French Riviera
What to visit in the Eze area?
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South of France itinerary 12 days in Provence and the French Riviera
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4 comments
Exe looks absolutely stunning. I am planning to visit Nice again in November so I think I will need to include Eze in the itinerary.
The Nietzsche Trail sounds like a great way to explore near the city. Reminds me a bit of the Philosophenweg in Heidelberg.
Loved reading the post! That is interesting to know that Walt Disney lived in Eze for a long time.
I love the South of France. I have spent some time in Marseille and Aix and Provence but need to explore the area more. Thanks for the info. It’s a great read