Èze Village is one of the most beautiful hilltops on the French Riviera. Set between Nice and Monaco, the medieval village is known for its sea views, stone lanes, and exotic garden. Whether you visit on a day trip or as part of a wider Côte d'Azur tour, Eze Village offers a mix of history, scenery, and standout places to eat, stay, and explore.
The village attracts about 5,000 visitors daily (during the peak season), most of who go there on a day trip from nearby cities. Its high location allows visitors to enjoy views all the way out to the bay of Saint Tropez. But Eze's allure goes beyond the amazing views.
Most mentions of Eze are about the village. However, Èze is a commune with two parts: the village and Èze-sur-Mer. Eze Sur Mer is the part of the commune that's close to the sea. It has its own unique appeal (more on that later), while the village is the 'star of the show.' So, what attracts tourists to this hilltop village, and why should you add it to your list of places to visit?
The Medieval Eze Village near Monaco
Everyone who visits Nice or Monaco should make some time to visit the village. We should add that we're taking our own advice. We stopped by the village during our recent visit to Monaco for the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show and in December 2025. The village is still as alluring as ever, and we captured footage that shows this, as seen in the video.
Is Eze Worth Visiting?
Before planning your trip, know that the village has many uphill paths and the roads are too narrow for cars. If you're feeling lazy (after all, you're on vacation), the next best thing is to include the village in a aerial tour. However, while that will deliver some stunning views, you'll be leaving a lot on the table.
Strolling along the streets of the village is like taking a trip in a time machine. It is a maze of narrow paths with houses built close to each other. You'll likely have a Dr. Who moment as you walk through the cobblestone streets of a place lost in time.
While you wander around the village, you'll notice that many buildings are now gift/art shops. These show the storied past of the village with a certain appeal.
But beyond the charm of the village, its claim to fame is the sea views. Mont Boron in Nice, at about 200 meters above sea level, offers great views, but not as good as what you'll enjoy in Eze. Sitting 427 meters above sea level gives the village an edge.
The hill offers views of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and other nearby towns and headlands, such as Cap Roux, which is also part of Eze commune. That's why the village earned the nickname "eagle's nest".
Things to do in Eze France
Jardin Exotique d Èze
Jardin Exotique d'Èze sits at the highest peak on the hill. A 12th-century medieval fortress once stood there. The garden is the best place to enjoy views of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Esterel Mountains.
Rene Gianton (the mayor of the village at the time) commissioned the garden in 1949. Jean Gastaud, who also worked on Jardin Exotique de Monaco, designed it. Beyond the views that make the garden the best part of a visit to the village, it has plants from all continents.
The variety of cacti is so vast that you're not likely to think of cacti the same way ever again. Some of these plants grow out of walls in an apparent boast of how robust they are.
The garden also has guide panels with insights into the village's history. These help visitors learn more about it. One spot you should target during your visit to the garden is the Point de Vue observation deck. It is the ideal 'Instagram spot' in the village, and it has the best views. If you're one of many who could stay at the garden all day, note that each ticket has a 30-minute time slot. At the time of our last visit, the ticket cost €8 for adults, €6 for students, and €1 for kids 12-17. Children under 12 get in for free.
Nietzsche Path
The Nietzsche Path(Le Chemin de Nietzsche), is a trail named after Friedrich Nietzsche. It is a 4.2-km trail up a 1000 ft height from Eze sur Mer to the village. Consider the hike up the path as strenuous with loose scree and uneven stone steps.
There's no sugar-coating it. A visit to the village requires fitness. Since you can't drive around, you must explore it on foot. With that out of the way, consider hiking up the path if you feel up for a challenge. Raquel walked up to the village during her last visit in December 2025. She still had enough energy to visit all the best stops, including both fragrance houses.
The views make the hike worth every minute, but what you see walking down is no different from walking up, so you're better off walking down to reduce the strain.
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
While viewing drone shots of the village, you may have seen the mustard-yellow church with a large tower. This is Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (Notre Dame de l Assomption Church), an 18th-century church dedicated to "Our Lady of the Assumption". The church is on the site of the ruins of a 12th-century church. It is one of the major landmarks in the village, so plan to include it on your list of places to visit.
Galimard factory and Fragonard Perfume Boutiques
Visitors can enjoy free tours of the Galimard Fragrance Factory and museum seven days a week. Jean de Galimard (who supplied olive oil and perfumes to King Louis XV) founded the company in 1747. It is one of the oldest French perfume houses and still belongs to the Galimard family. Lovers of fine fragrances will enjoy this spot in the village. But Eze has more to offer when it comes to sweet scents.
Fragonard is another perfumer in the village. It has a factory and two shops here. The first is on Avenue du Jardin Exotique, and the other is on Place de la Colette. Like Galimard, the company also offers free tours of the factory. Tours are done in French and English and you can just walk in. Our visit to the factory was a major highlight (see video above).
It was a 25 minute tour, and the guide spent an extra 15 minutes at the store talking up products and some bottle sizes you can't find at other retail outlets. Make sure you set your budget before you visit. You can park for free at the factory, but you can only leave your car there while you're taking the tour or shopping.
Château Eza
A medieval village with a 5-star hotel? That's right. Château Eza is a 400-year-old 14-room boutique hotel with sea views from every suite and a 50-seat 1 Michelin-starred restaurant. If the hike around the village sounds hard, staying at this hotel will take some of the bite away.
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the hotel fits right into the theme of the village and has some of the best views here. During our last visit, we spent some time at the hotel's terrace for a coffee break. We got a front row seat to what may be the best view of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. You won't find a better spot to enjoy a latte.
The hotel's allure goes beyond its medieval charm and the scenery. It offers events like Champagne tasting in its 'Wine Cave' and helicopter tours of the area.
If you want to spoil yourself, the Presidential Suite is the place to do it. The 645 sq ft suite features period furniture, a fireplace, and a marble bathroom. Another perk is the outdoor jacuzzi with a clear view of the bay and Mont Boron.
Château de la Chèvre d'OR
Château de la Chèvre d'Or is another 5-star hotel within the village. It welcomes guests with a grand wrought iron gate in black and gold. A member of Relais & Châteaux, the hotel has 45 rooms and five suites named after famous artists who spent some time in Eze in the past.
The Panoramic Suite (the best in the house) is a 'floating paradise' with large living areas, a private terrace boasting of an infinity pool with sublime views, and a heated outdoor jacuzzi.
The hotel has lush gardens with fountains, waterfalls, and huge animal statues. The green spaces are ideal for enjoying the views of Cote d'Azur with a cocktail.
What more could you want during your vacation?
Èze sur Mer
While the main place to visit in the commune is the hilltop village, you shouldn't ignore Èze Sur Mer. It offers Plage d'Èze, a pebble beach where you can relax after your hike or have a picnic with friends. There are a few cafes along the beach where you can enjoy seafood and other local cuisine.
There's also a small marina nearby, Port Silva Maris, where you can rent a small boat for sailing, but this isn't the best place for that. You're better off renting in Nice, Cannes, or Monaco, where there's a wider variety of boats and yachts.
Cap Estel hotel sits on a small peninsula in Eze-sur-Mer. The ultra-luxury 20-room hotel includes a villa and a few other buildings. It offers world-class services you won't find in many other luxury hotels on the French Riviera.
If you value privacy over all else, Cap Estel is the place for you. It's only five minutes away from the train station, and you could argue that it is the area's best-kept secret. That may not be true for much longer as LVMH's Bernard Arnault acquired the hotel in July 2025 for a reported sum of $200 million.
Where to Eat (Casual/Fine Dining)
Hiking around the streets of the village is no easy feat. More so when you're not used to long uphill walks. Once you're done, you should treat yourself to a good meal before you go back to your hotel. Here are a few options:
Château Eza Restaurant
Under the watchful eyes of Chef Justin Schmitt, the French cuisine at the 1 Michelin-starred restaurant at Château Eza is a reward you should enjoy after a tour of the village. Listed on the Michelin guide for decades, it serves great local meals in a dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows. It offers guests the added benefit of bay views while enjoying their meals. If you like octopus, you can look forward to Chef Schmitt's highly rated version.
Le Nid d'Aigle
You shouldn't worry too much about how to pronounce Le Nid d'Aigle (The Eagle's Nest). Instead, focus on its tasty cuisine. Right in the heart of the village, its menu features French and Italian dishes that should appeal to your palate. The dining area has a medieval touch that matches the village's vibe. If you prefer al fresco dining, you can enjoy your meal on the terrace.
La Chèvre d'Or
The 2 Michelin-starred La Chèvre d'Or is in Chateau de la Chèvre d'Or hotel. It offers all you'd expect from a fine dining eatery. Its dining room with large windows will charm you as you walk in. Led by Chef Tom Meyer, it offers fine dining as delightful as good poetry. The chefs craft the meals to look good and offer flavors you will never forget.
Restaurant Le Mas Provençal
Le Mas Provençal is a great place for special occasions. Exotic flowers adorn the main dining area in a way you may not see elsewhere. While some may find the dining room a little over the top, it blends well with the medieval village. Menu items include French and Italian favorites like risotto and Porcini mushrooms.
How to get to Eze (from Nice)
Car Rental
The best way to get around the French Riviera is to drive in a drop-top car for a taste of the best the area has to offer. Nothing beats a drive along the roads as the cool breeze confirms that you chose to visit one of the best places on earth. A good route is on Av. De la Liberte along Basse Corniche. Driving here was the best part of our Cote d'Azur tour.
The road connects Nice and the village, and the views of the bay will make you gasp. Look out for the Cap Roux tunnel, which welcomes you to Eze. You might recognize this road from the scenes with the red Ferrari in the 2010 action comedy "Killers." starring Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher (no, we were not trying to mimic these scenes during our French Riviera tour).
Fans of long tunnel runs should drive to Av Raymond Poincaré, where the Cap-Estel tunnel awaits you. If you're coming from Nice, it's a bit of a detour, but it's only a few minutes away.
Sage Tip: Another route to the village from Nice is via the M6007 highway (along Avenue Bella Vista). You'll catch a great view of the village as you approach the White Arc Bridge on the Moyenne Corniche road. Eagle-eyed F1 fans will recognize the bridge from the 6th season of Netflix's 'Drive to Survive.'
It is the bridge Nando Norris drove over in the first episode. It's a great place to stop for photos of some of the best places in the South of France. On our last visit, we went over the bridge to enjoy the views on the way to Nice.
Car rental company Nice Classic Cars offers a set of vintage drop-tops you can rent for the day. These let you relive scenes from your favorite South of France movies like To Catch a Thief (which has scenes in and around Eze) and Golden Eye.
One benefit of using the Moyenne Corniche route is the Général de Gaulle parking lot. It has 5 levels and is only about a 5-minute walk to the village. It opened in 2023 and solved the parking problem visitors to the village had to deal with before that.
Transit to Eze, France
If you'd rather not drive, you can get a paid ride for the day or take the bus or the train from Nice. Taking the bus from Nice needs some work. You'll have to buy a transit card, find the right bus stop, schedule, etc. If that doesn't bother you, you have the option of taking either route 82 or 112 from the Vauban bus stop. The bus takes you straight to the village in 30 minutes. No transfers needed.
The train ride from Nice Ville station takes 15 minutes and runs all day. However, unlike the bus, it'll only take you as far as Eze-sur-Mer. The train station here is close to the beach, so you'll still enjoy great views (nowhere near as good as the views during a drive though).
You can take a taxi or bus (number 83) to the village from Eze-sur-Mer, and there's the option of hiking too. However, make sure you're up for the challenge, as it's not an easy hike.
Fun Fact: People often use the term 'Eze, France' when trying to get information about the village. The aim is to differentiate it from the English footballer Eberechi Eze, whose last name is spelled the same way as the name of the village. Eberechi currently plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League. His name is African and has no connection to the village.
