Are you planning a half-day trip from Nice to Èze Village and wondering how to spend your time? Then this complete guide of things to do in Èze is what you’re looking for.
Entering the hilltop village of Èze feels like stepping into a fairy tale. This perfectly preserved medieval town is perched dramatically on a rocky pinnacle over 429 m or 1407 ft above the French Riviera coastline.
Èze may be pretty compact, but it’s home to some of the most sought-after landmarks on the Côte d’Azur, from the Fragonard Perfume Factory to the Exotic Garden with its endless Mediterranean views.
Let me take you on a tour through the labyrinth of cobblestone streets and attractions of Èze. My self-guided morning itinerary includes the must-sees and must-dos, all chronically organized so you can easily follow along. It also features plenty of expert-based travel tips.
So, are you ready to discover the best things to do in Èze on the French Riviera? Let’s go!
This article features what to do in Èze on a morning trip from Nice. It’s organized as a self-guided itinerary that includes all tourist attractions of Èze on the French Riviera.
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Guided Èze trips to book ahead of time
The following tours tend to sell out quickly so be sure to secure your reservation.
Èze: Walking Tour with a Local Guide
From Nice: Èze Village Electric Bike Tour with Drink
Planning the perfect day trip from Nice to Èze
Good preparation will help you make the most of your half-day trip. So, before plotting out your itinerary and discovering what to do in Èze, let’s go over when and how to visit this French Riviera gem.
Getting from Nice to Èze
There are five ways to get from Nice to Èze Village and I break them all down in my dedicated article. Basically, these are the two options I’d recommend:
The train is not ideal because the train station “Èze sur Mer” is located at Èze Bord de Mer, the coastal counterpart of Èze Village located on the Lower Corniche. Where you want to arrive is Èze Village on the Middle Corniche, which is where both bus and ride-share can take you.
Enjoy breakfast before heading to Èze to maximize your time there and wear sturdy shoes if you plan on concluding your visit with a downhill hike from the village to the seaside. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Èze when it’s not too hot outside.
Getting around Èze
The only way to get around from the Èze parking lot to the walled medieval heart of the village is on foot.
The only exception applies to guests of the luxury hotels Château Eza and Hôtel Château de la Chèvre d’Or who are allowed to drive up the mountain along the Avenue du Jardin Exotique to the properties’ private parking lots, just in front of the village ramparts.
Within the walled village, all motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Best time to visit Èze
Anytime is a good time to visit Èze. This hilltop town is postcard-worthy throughout the seasons.
However, if you plan on visiting Èze during the high season, I would recommend doing so in the morning, hence this morning itinerary. The village is compact and can quickly feel crowded.
How much time to spend in Èze
A visit to Èze takes half a day maximum, leaving you with an entire afternoon to visit other French Riviera hotspots. Stay tuned for my recommendations on how to combine your half-day trip to Èze. Spoiler alert: Monaco wouldn’t be my first choice although that’s what most excursions seem to offer.
Things to do in Èze: Self-guided morning itinerary
Some of Èze’s must-see spots have specific opening hours. So, for your convenience, I’ve arranged the order of visits to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. Should you decide to switch around the attractions, then be sure to check whether these are open at the time of your visit.
Psst… Further down in this article, you’ll find a map that plots out this entire itinerary.
Is a day trip to Èze worth it? It sure is! No matter how many times I visit Èze, the views still take my breath away. While Èze is more of a museum-village than a residential area, I love how it showcases the beautifully preserved architecture and historical setting of its medieval past.
9h: Tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory
Several acclaimed perfume houses call the Côte d’Azur home. One of the most iconic brands is Fragonard.
The Fragonard headquarters are in Grasse but one of three factories – the Fragonard Factory Laboratory – can be found at the foot of Èze Village.
This smaller cousin of the main Grasse factory provides free guided tours that offer a fascinating glimpse into the art of perfume making. Learn about flower selection, distillation techniques, and composition of fragrances and their use in perfumes, soaps, and skincare products.
Tours are organized daily on a first-come-first-served basis and last for 30 minutes. You can join in on the fragrant fun every half hour. Visits are concluded in the gift shop.
9h40: Start your climb towards the walled village
Follow the Avenue du Jardin Exotique uphill to reach the walled village.
Before the rampart, on your left side, you’ll see the Chemin de Nietzsche that you might descend after visiting Èze Village. The grand gate right next to it is the entrance to the Hôtel Château de la Chèvre d’Or.
Èze Village dates back to 220 BC when it was first settled as a Celtic fortified village. Like many Côte d’Azur towns, it survived invasions and built fortifications through the centuries.
The most remarkable addition was a fortress at the top of the rock. Unfortunately, Château Èza was destroyed in 1706 by the soldiers of Louis XIV during the War of Succession of Spain.
An original medieval feature that did stand the passage of time is the village’s original fortified double gate or “Poterne”. It dates back to the 14th century when Èze was ruled by the House of Savoy.
The coat of arms depicts a phoenix perched on a bone accompanied by the words “Isia” – the former name of the village – and “Moriendo Renascor” – which translates as “In death I am reborn”.
10h: Visit the Jardin Exotique or Exotic Garden
The number one attraction in Èze is the Jardin Exotique, perched at the village’s highest point and onto the ruins of the 12th-century castle, that was destroyed by Louis XIV. This stunning garden is worth every step of the climb. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most renowned gardens on the French Riviera.
The collection of succulents and cacti on the sun-drenched south side of the garden is impressive, but the real showstopper is the panorama of the French Mediterranean. On clear days, you can see as far as Saint-Tropez to the west, Italy to the east, and Corsica to the south.
Explore the caves and water elements on the north side of the garden and soak in the Provençal setting of this Mediterranean garden.
The Jardin Exotique d’Èze is open every day of the year. Opening times and ticket prices can be found here. A visit is highly affordable and the stunning views make it one of the highlights of every French Riviera trip.
For my last visit, I arrived just after closing time. Luckily, the operator was kind enough to let me and my family in for another 15 minutes. We had the entire garden to ourselves for a magical moment.
11h: Step inside the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
This 18th-century baroque Èglise Notre-Dame de l’Assomption offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets. Its sober ochre-colored façade contrasts with the opulence of the interior frescoes. The church was built on the ruins of a 12th-century church.
The stately tower, added in the 19th century, used to be topped with a dome. Unfortunately, after being repeatedly damaged by lightning strikes, it was removed.
Next to the church is a small, terraced cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean.
11h15: Explore the medieval streets
Get lost in the maze of cobblestone streets, which are an attraction in itself. Duck under stone archways and discover hidden courtyards as you admire the perfectly preserved medieval architecture.
The oldest preserved building is the 14th-century Sainte-Croix chapel, also known as the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, with a bell tower. Inside, you’ll find 13th and 14th-century crucifixes and statues of the Virgin.
Another must-see is the Riquier Mansion, a former residence of the lords of Eze. The Italian-style fountain on the Place du Planet is much more recent, dating back to 1930.
Browse the village’s tiny boutiques and colorful galleries in search of the perfect souvenir.
12h30: Lunch with a view
Despite its size, the village is a hotspot for food lovers with two Michelin-star awarded Èze restaurants: La Chèvre d’Or** and Château Eza*. Both gastronomic venues are housed in luxury hotels and boast sweeping views of the Mediterranean.
Even if you’re not ready to splurge on lunch, Èze offers options for every budget. Hôtel Château de la Chèvre d’Or offers two more affordable restaurants: Restaurant Les Remparts with its Mediterranean cuisine and Le Café du Jardin with woodfired pizzas and grills.
There are a couple of more dining venues in the village. When I was there on a beautiful spring evening, I passed by restaurant Le Cactus near the village gate where the chef was preparing paella on a large pan.
14h: Hike down the Chemin de Nietzsche or Nietzsche path to Èze Bord de Mer
The Chemin de Nietzsche offers an unforgettable approach to the village. You’ll find the trailhead on your right side after exiting the walled village, tucked away right behind the imposing gate of the Hôtel Château de la Chèvre d’Or.
This steep hiking trail connects Èze-sur-Mer to Èze village, descending about 400 m (1312 ft) over 2.5 kilometers.
Friedrich Nietzsche walked this path daily during his stays in the area, finding inspiration for his philosophical work “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”.
Once you arrive in Èze Bord de Mer, there are several ways to spend the afternoon. Stay tuned for my recommendations on how to combine your half-day trip to Èze.
Map of this Èze itinerary
For your convenience, I created this map to help you visualize this self-guided tour along with the top things to do in Èze.
Travel tips for your visit to the village of Èze on the French Riviera
Here are some practical tips to keep in mind to ensure a carefree morning in Èze:
FAQ about things to do in Èze
When are you planning on visiting the Èze attractions?
That’s it for this detailed guide on visiting Èze from Nice. Now all that’s left for you to do is set a date and decide how to spend the afternoon. Either way, your visit to Èze will be one of your most treasured French Riviera memories.
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