The French Riviera offers endless day trip options, with Monaco and Italy just an hour away. In my opinion, visiting Eze village is a must because of its picturesque cobblestone streets, art galleries, shops, and gardens. You can explore the main attractions and stroll the streets in a half-day, allowing time to visit another city along the Cote D’azur. If you want to spend the whole day around Eze, you can hike up from the train station, wander the streets, dine at local restaurants, and enjoy the beach. This post provides tips and recommendations for planning your visit, regardless of how much time you plan to spend.
Transportation to Eze
There are several different transportation options for getting to Eze village. I decided to take a bus and found the experience to be straightforward and easy.
Bus: economical option
- From Nice: costing 2 euros you can take bus 82 or bus 602.
- From Monaco: You can also utilize bus 602 at the same price to reach the village.
Car: Flexible Option
- Car- Eze village is accessible by car, and the best way to find the village is by using Google Maps. I recommend downloading the map beforehand so you don’t have to worry about service issues. Parking at Eze village is limited and there are two lot options where you will need to pay 3 euros/hour. I would suggest arriving early to ensure a spot. Listed below are parking options:
- Parking is located at the Oppidum du Col d’Eze, 2km from the city, and costs 6 euros daily. When you park in this area, you will receive a free shuttle and 1 free entry per car to the Jardin Exotique.
- Parking is also located at the Place Figuiera and Place de la Colette, which are walking distance to the town and cost 3,20 euros per hour.
Uber: Costly and Convenient Option
- Uber- Ubers are available to get to Eze and take roughly 25 minutes from Nice.
- From Nice, the drive is 11.9km (7.4 miles) and will take roughly 20 minutes.
- From Monaco, the drive is 8.5km (5.3 miles) and will take roughly 15 minutes. Ubers in Monaco are illegal, but a work around is to call an Uber in Beausoleil.
Train: Adventurous Option
This option is for someone looking for a little adventure. You can take the train to Èze-sur-Mer, then hike up to the village by taking the Nietzsche trail. This trail takes about an hour to reach Eze but is a 4.3-mile (6.9km) distance long loop. Another option is to take bus 85 to the medieval city from the station.
- Train From Nice to Gare D’Èze-sur-Mer will take roughly 13 minutes and cost 3-4 euros.
- Train From Monaco to Gare D’Èze-sur-Mer will take roughly 6 mins and cost 9 euros.
Culture and History
The history behind this hillside city is truly fascinating and helps explain its charming and picturesque landscape. Eze first appeared in history around 2000 BC and the town was seized by the Romans and Moors. With the nickname of the eagle’s nest, Eze village has witnessed several occupations due to the hillside location and proximity to Nice. You can understand why this city is alluring by walking the same cobblestone streets that others did thousands of years ago. It is truly amazing!
Things To Do Around Eze
While wandering around Eze, you’ll be transported in time as you explore the village. Whether you’re seeking adventure or want to enjoy the beauty of the Cote D’Azur, several options are listed below to add to your itinerary.
Walk the Cobblestone Streets
The village is very small and walking the whole city will take 2 hours without stops. There are maps for self-guided tours once you arrive, which will help you plan your route and attractions along the way. In my opinion, one of the best ways to explore this city is to get lost. It’s so small that you will eventually return back to the right path. Let the cobblestone paths lined with shops and galleries lead you.
Eze Church: Notre Dame De l’Assumption
Don’t forget to visit Eze church, rebuilt in 1778 to replace ruins from the 12th century. While admiring the mix of architectural styles within the church, be sure to see the Egyptian cross which could be an indication of the village’s ancient roots. Another great way to view the the church is by visiting the Jardin Exotique, where you can appreciate the church’s beauty with a scenic view of the Mediterranean.
Jardin Exotique
You will access the top of the hillside village with admission into the Jardin Exotique. It costs 7 euros for adults and 4 euros for students. While exploring the botanical garden, enjoy the panoramic views of the French Riviera and the medieval city. The gardens are home to various cacti and succulent species that enhance the beauty of the area. In my opinion, the garden offers the best views of the Mediterranean, so it’s a must-see!
Shops
There are many unique shops to explore while wandering the streets. If you are looking for souvenirs or gifts to commemorate your trip to the South of France, I suggest using your time in Eze to check these items off your list. With every twist and turn of the alleys, you will find charming little shops.
THANK YOU
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article by Squeeze with Louise. I’m very passionate about sharing my travel tips and recommendations with you. I would love to know your thoughts on how I can enhance my blog. Please feel free to comment below with any questions regarding this itinerary or general questions about Squeeze with Louise.
Eze Village looks so cute and quaint. I love the cobblestone everywhere, and wouldn’t mind hanging out on a beach or taking the train to do the hike. Thanks for sharing!
Eze Village looks so charming! I’d love to see the botanical garden and wander down the streets. Looks like it would be a wonderful day trip from Nice!
We only had a quick visit to Eze and reading your blog post it looks like we need to go back and spend more time. It would be lovely to wander the cobblestones streets and find those panoramic views. Charming architecture too. One day we will get back to Eze.
This looks like such an amazing place to visit. I can’t believe how gorgeous it looks from these photos!
I’ve been to Nice but totally missed out on this little gem of a city! Definitely need to go next time I visit the French Riviera!