Bonjour! Welcome to Eze, one of the most authentic and well-preserved villages on Cote d’Azur. It’s a very enchanting place where you’ll find narrow, winding streets filled with typical medieval architecture, tall stone houses, and great views. Thanks to all of that, many consider Eze to be one of the most beautiful villages on the French Riviera! Chances are high that it will seduce you with its charm from the first steps. Sounds interesting? Let us show you things to do in the village of Eze, France.
Travel tip. You can easily visit Eze and nearby La Turbie during the same-day trip. You can also try to combine it with Monaco but we think that this destination deserves a full-day visit.
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Eze, France FAQ
Eze village is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in the Alpes-Maritimes department in Southeastern France. It sits on a hill at an altitude of 427m a.s.l. In general, Eze consists of two parts – hilltop Eze-Village and coastal Eze-Sur-Mer. Village is just a short drive from popular nearby places like Monaco, Menton, Nice, or Antibes.
Of course! Eze is a captivating medieval village that offers a fascinating insight into how life might have looked like hundreds of years ago. There might not be dozens of things to do in the village but even so, a visit to Eze shouldn’t be missed. After all, it’s not without reason that Eze became one of the most popular destinations on Cote d’Azur!
Eze is best known for being a pretty, charming, and well-preserved medieval hilltop village in the French Riviera. And it offers unforgettable views over the coast from its exotic garden! There, in Fragonard or Galimard factories, you can also discover nicely smelling secrets of perfume-making.
Eze is a perfect destination for a one-day trip. In just a few hours you’ll be able to visit all the places in the village, walk around it a few times, eat dinner, and even take a tour of the perfume factory. But if you want to soak into the medieval vibe for a little longer you can choose to stay in one of the luxury hotels.
It’s pronounced [ɛːz]. Still don’t know how to read it? Here’s a YouTube video where you can listen to correct pronunciation.
Things to do in Eze, France
Eze village streets
The area surrounding Eze was first populated around 200 BC but the village was fortified only after 1388 when it fell under the jurisdiction of the House of Savoy.
Village of Eze is tiny and you don’t need any map to explore it. Let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the maze of cobblestone winding streets adorned with colorful flowers and soon you’ll discover every corner. Stone houses tightly built together, cozy squares, vaulted passageways, fountains, and of course stunning views await you. Oh, and there are no cars or even scooters inside!
Among Eze village streets, you’ll find points of interest like the Exotic Garden with ruins of the castle and magnificent views, Church Notre Dame de l’Assomption, and Chapel Sainte-Croix. Eze Tourist Office is located next to the parking lot, close to the village entrance.
You’ll also find two luxury and famous hotels there – La Chèvre d’Or and Château Eza, some restaurants and cafes, art galleries, and small craft and gift shops. Just outside the village, there are also two parfumeries – Fragonard and Galimard. Eze is a busy, tourist-oriented destination.
Travel tip. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, they will make exploring Eze easier!
Discover: Accommodation options in Eze
Exotic Garden
Exotic Garden (fr. Le Jardin Exotique) is located at the highest point of Eze village, on the site of a former medieval castle. It’s home to a huge collection of different succulents and cactuses from all over the world. From the gardens, you can also admire magnificent panoramic views over the French Riviera coast and the village itself. Without a doubt, visiting the Exotic Garden is one of the best things to do in Eze. And it’s a perfect place for a short and picturesque break from exploring!
Entrance to Eze Exotic Garden costs €8 or €5 for adults (depending on the season) and is free for children to 12 years old (March 2024). You can buy tickets either in the ticket office at the entrance or in one of two ticket machines. For current prices and opening hours visit jardinexotique-eze.fr website.
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (fr. Église Notre Dame de l’Assomption) was built in the 18th century to replace a previous temple that fell into ruin. The bell tower was added in the 19th century and was struck by lightning several times which caused the disappearance of the original dome.
The church facade is Neoclassical and might look simple, but its Baroque interior is richly decorated. The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption was listed as a Historic Monument. Entrance to the church is free.
Also, there is a small village cemetery at the other end of the square. For a nice church view, head to Exotic Garden and its waterfalls/caves section.
Sainte Croix Chapel
Sainte Croix Chapel (fr. Chapelle Sainte-Croix) is the oldest building in Eze dating back to 1306. It’s easy to overlook as it’s small and well-hidden among village streets and it looks like an ordinary building (don’t worry, we’ll leave a pin on the map). In the past, it was a gathering place for White Penitents Brotherhood. If you’ll be lucky and its doors will be open don’t hesitate to take a look inside.
Perfume factories & museums – Fragonard and Galimard
If you’re looking for a unique thing to do in Eze, be sure to visit the Fragonard or Galimard factory and museum (or both!). Both of them are renowned French perfume brands. There, during a free guided tour, you can learn about the secrets of perfume and soap-making. Later you can stop by the shop to buy beautiful smelling souvenirs. If you wish, you can even take part in some workshops! We took part in such a tour of the Fragonard factory in Grasse and definitely can recommend it – very interesting!
To learn more about factories, tours and opening hours visit Fragonard and Galimard official websites.
Viewpoints over Eze Village
Eze isn’t only beautiful inside its walls. This hilltop village also looks stunning from afar! There are probably many spots to admire, but here are our favorite places.
Firstly, you can admire Eze from various spots along road M6007 leading to the village. We recommend a spot near a bus station called ‘Les Flots Bleus’. Also, we found it as a nice place to stop for lunch with picturesque views (although quite loud)!
Your second option is to drive (or hike) to Fort de la Revère and admire Eze and Cote d’Azur coast from above, from 696m a.s.l. It’s also an amazing and peaceful place for a picnic and watching sunsets.
Nietzsche Path to Eze-sur-Mer
After exploring Eze village you can decide to go on an approximately 1 hour hike along Nietzsche Path, down to Eze-sur-Mer. In the end, a beautiful beach and azure sea water are waiting for you. This hike is neither too difficult nor too long, but good walking shoes and water are recommended. If you want to learn more about it visit alltrails.com website.
Path is named after the famous German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, who supposedly hiked this trail daily while living in Eze at the end of the 19th century. When his mental health started to get worse, in search of a cure he started to visit warmer destinations. Eze’s surroundings seemed to boost Nietzsche’s health most, as he later wrote: “I slept well, I laughed a lot, and I found a marvelous vigor and patience”.
Book now: Eze and Monaco Private Half-Day Tour
How to get to Eze, France?
Eze is located about 15km from Nice, 10km from Villefranche-sur-Mer or Monaco, 20km from Menton, and 50km from Cannes. The most convenient way to get to the village is by car, bus or train. For great car rental deals visit the Rental Cars website.
Where to park in Eze?
You have a few options here. The parking lot closest to the village entrance is located next to the Eze Tourist Office. You can also leave your car on spots along road M6007 on Av. de Verdun – it’s also just a few steps from the village entrance. Your third option is this parking lot located about 15 minutes on foot from the village (there is also a shuttle bus available). All mentioned parking lots are paid. There is also a free parking lot just beside the Fragonard which is free for the visitors.
To Eze by bus
You can quite easily reach Eze by bus. For example, a trip from Nice will take about 30min (€1-3), 15min from Monaco (€3) and 40min from Menton (€3). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit zou.maregionsud.fr or rome2rio.com website.
To Eze by train
Your next option is to get to Eze-sur-Mer by train and from there hike to the village via Nietzsche Path or take bus 83. It’s possible from many nearby places like Nice, Cannes, Menton, or Villefranche-sur-Mer. To learn more about train connections that interest you visit sncf.com or rome2rio.com website. For great train ticket deals visit the Trainline website.
To Eze by taxi
The most expensive option but also available from almost every place you might be on Cote d’Azur. For example, a trip from Menton will take about 20min (€50-65) and 15min from Nice (€30-40). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Eze
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping de La Laune or Camping La Ferme Riola might interest you. They are located close to Eze.
To Eze with an organized tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options GetYourGuide and Viator websites.
Book now: French Riviera in One Day
Things to do in medieval village of Eze, France – Summing up
Now you know what Eze and its surroundings are all about and why many consider it one of the most beautiful villages on Cote d’Azur. It’s amazing that until today it retained its medieval appearance almost untouched. But thanks to that we all have an amazing opportunity to step back in time for a little while and see how life might have been hundreds of years ago. No matter if you’ll stay only for a few hours or if you’re planning on staying a bit longer and discovering the area more thoroughly – we are sure that Eze will enchant you!
Our video from Eze village
Our opinion about Eze village
For us, a visit to Eze was a day trip, combined with a visit to nearby La Turbie, from Cannes where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it two times – the first time in October and the second in January. In October the village was busy with quite a lot of tourists. But in January we were two of just a handful of people (and one big organized Asian tour) in Eze and exploring it was a totally different experience. We love exploring in the low season, in peace. Sure, almost everything was closed but it wasn’t something we really cared for.
Overall we really like Eze and we think it’s a lovely village with magnificent views of the surroundings. What we didn’t like, especially during our visit in October, is that it felt too touristy in so many ways. Only in January, we were able to feel its medieval vibe. Maybe this is the reason why Eze isn’t officially listed among the most beautiful villages in France?
Travel tip. If you’d like to experience an authentic medieval village without any touristy things, be sure to head to nearby Peillon.
Book now: French Riviera Famous Cities Scoot Coupe Tour
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Eze?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Eze:
Where to sleep in Eze?
La Chèvre d’Or
Perched on the heights of Eze, La Chèvre d'Or is an exquisite accommodation that offers a luxurious and intimate escape. Nestled within medieval walls, this hotel provides breathtaking views of the French Riviera. With elegantly appointed rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and terraced gardens, La Chèvre d'Or invites guests to experience unparalleled beauty and tranquility on the Côte d'Azur.
La Perle d’Eze – Aparthotel
Situated in the charming village of Eze, La Perle d'Eze Aparthotel is a delightful accommodation blending modern comfort with the allure of the French Riviera. Offering stylish apartments with well-equipped kitchens and contemporary amenities, guests can enjoy a home-like stay surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Côte d'Azur. The property's convenient location allows easy exploration of nearby attractions, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking a tranquil yet accessible getaway.
Chateau Eza
Perched on the cliffs of Eze village, Chateau Eza is a luxurious accommodation that epitomizes elegance and romance. This enchanting castle-turned-hotel offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the French coastline. With its Michelin-starred restaurant, intimate rooms, and a historic ambiance, Chateau Eza provides a unique and unforgettable experience for those seeking a blend of sophistication and timeless charm in the heart of the Côte d'Azur.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
