Guide de voyage à Èze

Nestled high atop a rocky peak overlooking the Mediterranean sea, the village of Èze is a place that seems frozen in time. Centered around the ruins of a 12th century castle, an intricate labyrinth of medieval streets bursts with craft boutiques and art exhibitions. This charming hilltop village is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Côte d’Azur region of France.

Locals call Èze a village-museé (museum village) and village d’art et de gastronomie (village of art and gastronomy). Its medieval structures blend well with shops, art galleries, hotels, and restaurants. Èze is a small town, but one of the prettiest medieval towns in the world.

Budget about 2 hours to explore the Village, and add on time for lunch and if you want to hike down to the beach.

Èze Village

Èze Village is a well-preserved medieval village with steep narrow streets, perched a rock 1,400 feet above the rest of the French Riviera. The mountain-top village dates back to the medieval years, with uneven stone streets, narrow passages, and low archways. It has a small stone archway as its entrance from Place du Centenaire , and a small square to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the plebiscite in 1860.

The village of Èze is known for its winding cobblestone streets, which are so narrow that they are impassable by car. Visitors to Èze must park their vehicles at the bottom of the hill and make the ascent on foot. As they climb higher and higher, they are treated to stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

At the top of the hill, visitors are greeted by the ruins of a medieval castle that was once used to defend the village from invaders. The castle has since been converted into a botanical garden, which is home to a vast array of exotic plants and flowers. The garden is a truly enchanting place, with hidden corners and winding paths that lead visitors on a journey of discovery.

Les ruines d'un château fort du XIIe siècle couronnent cet ancien village fortifié. De loin, il ressemble à un nid d'aigle au sommet d'un étroit piton face à la mer Méditerranée. Èze a été façonnée par les Romains, les Maures et la Maison de Savoie. Le village a été construit au sommet de l'éperon rocheux pour des raisons de sécurité, car c'était un endroit stratégique pour détecter les pirates toujours problématiques qui attaquaient le pays à plusieurs reprises. Les murs érigés au XIIe siècle ont été démantelés en 1706 sur ordre de Louis XIV. Cherchez la plaque de pierre parmi les parterres de fleurs, qui rappelle aux habitants le vote pour le rattachement à la France.

Take a break from walking at the stunning Chateau Eza , a secluded 400-year-old property and former residence of a Swedish Prince, offers a one-star Michelin gourmet experience on their elegant terrace with stunning views of the coastline. For uber-gastronomic dining, the two-Michelin-star La Chevre d’Or is world-famous. Make sure to book in advance.

Èze is also home to a number of artisan shops and galleries, where you can purchase locally made souvenirs and artwork. The village is particularly famous for its perfumeries, which have been producing fragrances for over 300 years.

Èze’s Exotic Garden

Èze’s Exotic Garden (Jardin Exotique) is located at the very top of Èze Village. It’s easy to find: just keep walking through the village upwards. From this garden, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the French Riviera. Overlooking magnificent villas festooned with bright bougainvillea, the Exotic Garden is a haven of tranquility (when not packed with tourists, of course), not to mention a horticulturalists’ dream, packed with a multitude of cacti, citrus trees, tropical plants, succulents, and terracotta sculptures.

The garden has an extensive collection of Mediterranean plants, all well-tended and clearly marked and explained for the visitors. The view, however, surpasses the plants and is the main reason most people come here. While Èze Village has a lot of steep streets and many steps, the Exotic Garden has lots and lots of steps and some steep paths. If your legs can stand it, the visit is well worth the effort, because the views are magnificent.

Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

This church is a stunning example of Baroque architecture, with a two-level clock tower. The color is neoclassical in ochre. It was built in 1765. An ancient Egyptian cross built by Phocaean Greeks shows the roots of the town. They erected a temple in the village dedicated to Isis, a goddess of life and eternity, where the village got its name. The church has 18 suns as decorations that resonate with holy presence.

Perfumeries

The history of perfume-making in Èze dates back to the 16th century, when the village became known for its production of aromatic plants and flowers. The unique micro-climate of the region, with its mild winters and sunny summers, provided the perfect growing conditions for a wide variety of fragrant plants, including lavender, jasmine, rose, and orange blossom.

At the time, perfume-making was a craft that was practiced by local farmers and herbalists, who would distill the essential oils from the plants using traditional methods. These oils were then used to make perfumes, soaps, and other fragrant products. Over time, the perfume industry in Èze grew and became more specialized. In the 18th century, the town’s first perfumery was established by a local family, and by the end of the 19th century, Èze was home to several prominent perfume houses.

Today, Èze is still home to some of the oldest perfume houses in the world, such as Galimard , Fragonard . Les visiteurs d'Èze peuvent faire un tour de l'une des parfumeries du village, où ils pourront en apprendre davantage sur l'histoire de la fabrication du parfum dans la région, ainsi que voir comment les huiles essentielles sont extraites et mélangées pour créer le produit final. Ils peuvent également acheter un flacon de parfum ou autre produit parfumé à emporter chez eux en souvenir de leur visite.

Èze-sur-Mer

Èze-sur-Mer (‘Èze on the sea’) is a tiny, hidden seaside area with a beach, train station, and a couple of restaurants.

Access to the beach is tricky. There are three points of access: from the Èze train station or through a somewhat-hidden tunnel leading down from the sidewalk just to the right of Agence Sud-Azur .

Parking is available at the train station (free, but limited) or on Avenue de la Liberté for €1.20/hour.

One of the area’s famous residents is none other than U2’s frontman Bono (read about his seaside residence and where he hangs out).

The Nietzsche Path

The path , which connects Èze-sur-Mer and Èze Village, got its name from the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It means “Nietzsche’s footpaths”. This narrow path up the side of the mountain, through the forest, is where he walked to contemplate and create.

The Chemin de Nietzsche  Le sentier de randonnée d'Èze est idéal si vous souhaitez faire une randonnée facile mais fatigante en montée tout en profitant de la vue magnifique sur la mer depuis les hauteurs. L'aller-retour de l'ancien chemin muletier de 427 mètres d'altitude prendra environ trois heures et, par moments, il est rocailleux et assez éprouvant, mais pas pour une personne raisonnablement en forme. Mais ce qui vous coupe vraiment le souffle, c'est l'émotion qui semble vous porter et vous soulever, surtout à la descente, lorsque la côte se révèle et saute directement des formations rocheuses calcaires.

Consultez notre complete guide to the Nietzsche Path.

Comment se rendre à Èze

Que vous séjourniez à Monaco ou en Nice, Èze Village est une ville facile et rapide d'accès : veillez simplement à porter des baskets. Il se trouve à environ 25 minutes de Nice et 18 minutes de Monaco.

Par avion: Prenez un vol pour l'aéroport Nice qui se trouve à seulement 30 minutes d'Èze en voiture.

En bus: Si vous êtes à Nice, vous pouvez prendre le tramway jusqu'à l'arrêt Vauban, puis contourner le petit parking et passer l'arche jusqu'à la gare routière. Il ne semble peut-être pas y avoir de gare routière, mais si vous continuez à marcher, vous la verrez. Prenez les bus n° 112 et n° 82 depuis Nice, qui partent en alternance environ une fois par heure de la gare routière du lundi au samedi. Seul le numéro 82 circule les jours fériés et le dimanche.

Tickets for the bus cost €1.50, and you can purchase them from the bus driver. Sit on the right side of the bus to get beautiful views of the sea as you ride the half hour to Èze. When you do get off at the bus stop, head to the right and up. It is a bit of a hike to the village. After you are finished exploring Èze, you can pick up bus #112 to continue to Monaco if you choose.

En voiture: The main road to reach it is the Moyenne Corniche (une des trois routes) entre Nice et Monaco. Le village d'Èze n'est pas accessible en voiture. Les visiteurs d'Èze doivent garer leur véhicule en bas de la colline (si you can find a spot to park) and make the ascent on foot.

En train: Les trains relient Nice à Èze-sur-Mer et la plage n'est qu'à une minute de la gare. Toutefois, si vous souhaitez visiter le Village, vous devrez emprunter le Nietzsche Path , which is a hike, so you’ll need to wear sneakers. So, we recommend taking a bus to Èze Village, hike down to Èze-sur-Mer and catch the train wherever you want to head back.

Visites en vidéo d'Èze

The village of Èze is a true gem of the Côte d’Azur region. With its stunning views, charming streets, and rich history, it is a place that should not be missed by anyone traveling to southern France.