Take a trip from Nice to Èze, a medieval town perched above the Mediterranean with cobbled streets, exotic gardens, amazing aromas and breathtaking views.
Nice shines like a summer star: its Old Town is bursting with the vibrant colours of its markets, the beaches are lapped by gentle waves, and the art and the cuisine blend harmoniously in every mouthful. With palm-lined promenades, its museums (Matisse, Chagall…) are custodians of the city’s creative history. And when the carnival comes to town, the city becomes a sea of masks, festive beats and tradition. From here, exploring the Côte d’Azur is a dream come true.
Èze: a hilltop picture postcard
Imagine a medieval town perched 429m above the Mediterranean, with winding streets, stone walls and gardens gazing out to the horizon. This is Èze: a natural balcony overlooking the Riviera. Here, time seems to stand still and every corner tells a story, whispered on the sea breeze.
Medieval streets and a fortified gate
The entrance to the old town is through a 14th century fortified double gate, the traditional “postern” that takes you right back into a different age. Along narrow cobbled streets and up winding steps, stone houses clad in ivy and artisan shops create an authentic scene and a fairytale atmosphere.
The Exotic Garden and castle ruins
At the top, feast your eyes on the Exotic Garden, a true botanical treasure perched on the rock: cacti, succulents, sculptures, and dizzying views out to sea. An oasis of calm and beauty, this is the perfect setting in which to relax and reflect. Among the castle ruins, you’ll find that spot where the land and sky embrace.
The church and fragrances on every corner
Make sure you visit the Church of Notre‑Dame‑de-l’Assomption, with its ochre baroque façade built in 1765, and its belltower looking down from above. And if the fragrance draws you in, visit Fragonard (and also Galimard) to learn about the art of perfumery and perhaps to buy a delicate fragrance to take home with you.
How to get there
Getting to Èze from Nice is all part of the charm:
- By bus: take the no. 100 bus from Nice to Èze-sur-Mer station, then take another local bus up to the town, or walk up along the famous Nietzsche path. Bus numbers 112 and 82 also go there. Once you’ve bought your ticket (approx. €1.50), remember to sit on the right-hand side of the bus for the sea views.
- By train: to Èze-sur-Mer and then walk up or take the bus.
- By car: drive along the scenic Corniche Road (Grande or Moyenne Corniche) between Nice and Monaco. Park at the bottom of the town — at the Parking Général de Gaulle or Oppidum— and walk up.
We’d advise you to set off early; if you get there before 10am you’ll avoid the crowds and get better photos, as well as some inner peace.
Eating and sleeping without the clichés
In such a popular and picturesque town as Èze, it’s not easy to find places that are good value for money. Many restaurants take advantage of the views to inflate their prices and accommodation options tend to be at the luxury or very pricy end of the scale. So we’d like to help you find some authentic and charming options, without emptying your pockets (and without the feeling of being in a tourist trap).
We recommend a couple of restaurants with a more intimate feel and reasonable prices:
- Mets Vins Chics: just before you climb the hill towards the medieval town, on the left. It’s a nice place to eat with a view, delicious food and moderate prices. Ideal if you’re looking for something tasty, relaxed and unpretentious.
- You can also explore cheaper options within the town itself, for example L’Atelier Gourmet or Le Cactus, which usually appear on the lists of “affordable” dining in Èze.
And to stay overnight without falling into the trap of the inflated prices of luxury hotels:
- Consider staying in nearby towns such as Beaulieu‑sur‑Mer or Villefranche‑sur‑Mer. There you’ll find more reasonable prices, a local atmosphere and coastal charm without the tourist feel of Èze. For example, the Hotel de la Darseºº in Villefranche-sur-Mer is well worth a visit: views of the harbour, a room with a private balcony and its own restaurant or one in the street opposite.
- If you’d rather stay closer to the medieval centre, there are some good-value options within Èze itself: the Hôtel Eze Hermitage has comfortable rooms and a good breakfast from around €200 per night.
Fly with Volotea, explore Nice, escape to Èze and continue your journey through France; every destination is an invitation to feel, discover and fall in love with this vast and wonderful land.
