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Èze-Village is a perched medieval village offering one of the most spectacular panoramas on the Côte d’Azur. Tour Azur, organizer of excursions and transfers, not only provides private chauffeurs, but also introduces you to this pretty village.
Key points:
- the Jardin Exotique offers the best view in the region.
- The village is 100% pedestrian, with a network of unique artisans and artists.
- Two historic perfume factories offer free educational tours.
- The Nietzsche trail offers a natural and sporting experience.
Where is Èze-Village?
Èze is one of the most charming hilltop villages of the Côte d’Azur, such as Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It lies at an altitude of 429 meters. It lies between Nice (20 mn) and Monaco (25 mn), along the mythical Moyenne Corniche (D6007).
Built on a rocky spur in the Middle Ages, Èze has preserved :
- Its winding cobbled streets,
- Stone houses,
- Arches and vaulted passages,
- The defensive layout of an ancient fortified village.
The commune of Èze is made up of two hamlets linked by a road, Èze-Village and Èze-sur-Mer.
What to do in Èze Village The must-sees
The exotic garden
This botanical garden is located on the site of a former medieval fortress of which a few vestiges remain. It’s a lovely route through exotic plants with exceptional panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The garden also features sculptures by Jean-Philippe Richard.
🏆 Awards:
- Travelers’ Choice Award 2025 (TripAdvisor).
- Special regional flower award.
- Official “Remarkable Garden” label.
🎫 Practical information :
- Online booking required.
- Opening hours: daily (9am-4pm from January to November, 9am-6.30pm from April to October, 9am-7.30pm from July to September).
- Prices: €8 for adults, free for children under 12.
👉 Read our full article on Monaco’s botanical garden if you’re interested in this topic.
Craftsmen and artists
As you wander through the narrow streets of Èze, you’ll discover a series of small artists’ and craftsmen’s boutiques set up in old medieval houses. There are no big names here: just designers working in small series.
🖼 Some useful addresses
- Les Trésors d’Olga Malinovskaya: creations inspired by the world of dance: poetic, feminine, highly personal pieces.
- LAGALERY Fine Arts: contemporary art gallery presenting selected works and artists.
- Planet’ Cuirs: a leather goods workshop for handcrafted bags, belts and accessories.
Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church
Situated in the heart of the village, Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church is a listed historic monument and a perfect example of the region’s Baroque architecture.
What makes it interesting is its baroque trompe-l’œil: real and fake windows, real and fake pulpits respond to each other to create an illusionist decor typical of the XVIIIᵉ century.
🎫 Practical information :
- Access free of charge.
- Open daily (9am-7pm).
- Unguided visit.
Fragonard and Galimard perfumeries
At the entrance to the village, Èze offers two emblematic perfume-related addresses. Visit here our article on the Fragonard perfumery in Grasse.
The Fragonard factory
- Free guided tour.
- Daily: 09:00 → 18:00.
- No reservation necessary.
- A short, educational tour of perfume production.
Galimard
- Factory, store & museum area.
- Free, fun tours open to all.
- Open 7 days a week : 09h30 → 17h30.
- Highlighting the role of the “nose” and raw materials.
Activities and experiences around Èze-Village
The Nietzsche Way
This path links the seaside (near the SNCF train station) to the top of the village.
Here, we symbolically follow in the footsteps of Friedrich Nietzsche, who stayed on the Côte d’Azur on several occasions and is said to have drawn some of his inspiration from the area.
🎫 Practical information :
- Vertical drop: 366 metres.
- Approximate duration: 1 hour uphill (and not 45 minutes as the sign at the bottom of the path indicates!).
- Equipment: shoes and water bottle (the trail is in direct sunlight).
- Difficulty: medium.
Grande Corniche Departmental Nature Park
The Parc Naturel Départemental de la Grande Corniche covers 4 communes: Èze, La Trinité, La Turbie and Villefranche-sur-Mer. It’s one of the best places to admire the whole of the Côte d’Azur, with the most spectacular viewpoint at Fort de la Revère.
🎫 Practical information :
- Facilities: picnic area, free parking, orientation table.
- Price: free of charge.
- Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (April to October) and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (November to March).
Èze-sur-Mer beach
Just below the village, the beach at Èze-sur-Mer offers a waterside break, ideal before or after exploring the perched village. Composed entirely of pebbles of medium size, it can be a little uncomfortable in bare feet.
Easy to access, the beach is right next to the Èze-sur-Mer SNCF train station, making it a convenient spot for visitors arriving by train or coming down the Nietzsche trail.
Visit also the surrounding area, such as Saint-Tropez and its famous port or the new district of Monaco, Mareterra.
How do I get to Èze Village?
By car + parking lots
No cars are allowed inside the medieval village. If you arrive by car, you’ll need to park outside. The most convenient place to park is the Général de Gaulle pay-per-use underground parking lot, located just inside the village entrance and offering quick access to the narrow streets. Other paid parking lots are also available a little further down the road, at Place Fighiera and Place de la Colette.
In high season, crowds can be high and places limited.
By bus / train / on foot
🚌Bus.
- From Nice, line 82 takes you directly to the hilltop village.
- Route 83 links Èze-sur-Mer to Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
- The 112 links Èze-village to Nice and Monaco.
Please note: buses do not accept credit cards or contactless payment. It’s essential to have extra cash on hand, as the driver doesn’t give change. So it’s best to have your ticket ready in advance, or to have the exact amount ready before boarding.
🚉Train
Èze has a SNCF train stationlocated in Èze-sur-Mer, below the hilltop village. When you get off the train, you have two options: walk up to the village along the Nietzsche trail, which takes about an hour to climb, or take the bus from the stop just in front of the station, which is quicker and less strenuous.
Our practical tips for visiting the village of Eze
How long will it take to visit Èze?
At least two hours. This allows you to wander through the narrow streets of the medieval village and climb up to the Jardin Exotique, which takes a good 30 minutes to visit and admire.
Half a day is much more comfortable. The village is on a slope, the streets are narrow, and most of it can be discovered on foot. Taking the time to stroll around, to enter a few boutiques and artisan workshops, to visit the church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, or simply to admire the panoramic views, naturally lengthens the visit.
A full day for those who wish to enrich their outing with an additional activity, such as a visit to a perfumery, a return trip to the beach, or even a climb up the Nietzsche trail, especially in summer when crowds slow down travel.
Where to eat and sleep in Èze?
For a top-of-the-range stay
Within the medieval village itself, accommodation is provided by two exceptional establishments: Château Eza and La Chèvre d’Or are luxury hotels with spectacular views and premium services. They also offer two of the region’s most renowned restaurants: La Chèvre d’Or, with two Michelin stars, and Château Eza, with one star.
For a more reasonable budget
When it comes to accommodation, the easiest thing to do is move to a nearby town. nearby townalong the Nice-Ventimiglia TER line Nice, Menton, Beaulieu-sur-Mer or Villefranche-sur-Mer offer much more affordable hotels and apartments.
For a quick bite to eat, there are a number of bakeries right next to the ramparts. bakeriesas well as a Casino Shop where you can buy picnics and other necessities.
When should you visit Èze?
As this is a very touristy area, we advise you to come before 10 a.m. to make the most of the narrow streets.
Is access complicated?
Èze is a very steep village, with narrow streets and a large number of steps, both in the village and in the Jardin Exotique. On the other hand, the floors are well-maintained and even: there are no particular technical difficulties, just steady progress.
Is Èze worth it?
Of course it is! For its exceptional panorama, its perfectly preserved medieval village and the Jardin Exotique. It’s one of the most beautiful vantage points on the Côte d’Azur.
How do I get to the village of Èze?
From the road or parking lots, access is by foot only. From the beach or the station, you can either take the Nietzsche path (approx. 1h), or the bus. To avoid the hassle of walking up or the constraints of the bus, you can also opt for the private transfer or a chauffeured vehicle offered by Tour Azur.
What can you do in Èze Village?
Visit the medieval village, the Jardin Exotique, the church, the artisan stores, the perfume stores and the viewpoints.
Where to park?
The most convenient is the Général de Gaulle underground parking lot. Other paying parking lots can be found at Place Fighiera and Place de la Colette. No vehicles are allowed inside the ramparts.
