Are you trying to find Things to Do in Eze, France? I have specific advice for you below!
The term “charming” is not sufficient to describe Eze.
Eze is unique and very charming.
Not far from Nice, this jewel of a village sits on a Southern French hill. Ancient stone structures are interspersed with narrow cobblestone streets. Colourful flower groups overflow from balconies, while potted plants and creeping ivy contrast with the warm, earthy hues of the ancient walls.
Due to its high hilltop location, the settlement is renowned as an artists’ sanctuary and for its beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. Today, the community is still dominated by artists; workshops and ateliers line the streets and occupy the entire village.
In summary, this spotless, charming village is a must-see when visiting the French Riviera; it’s like walking into a storybook.
12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Eze
In this post, I outline everything you must see and do in Eze. In the post’s conclusion, I also provide some useful advice and information on visiting Eze!
Pro Tip: Pronounce eze as “eh-zz.”
1. Wander the Town
The key is to take in the atmosphere by simply strolling around Eze. Every street and corner of the charming, superbly maintained ancient village of Eze is picture-perfect. It’s one of those locations where you want to snap a photo every ten seconds because every street is a work of art.
Eventually, as my mom and I strolled throughout the town, we almost burst out laughing as we turned a corner and saw yet another incredibly adorable street.
The buildings and walls that abut the streets are constructed of stone, and the streets themselves are all cobblestone. Ivy and vines grow up the walls and hangover surfaces everywhere you look, while potted plants and tiny bushes are arranged along the streets’ narrow paths.
There were black wrought iron lamposts leaning against the wall and signs promoting the numerous art galleries in the town.
The old town has no wide squares or streets; due to its pedestrian-only layout, it has small, meandering streets. There were moments when the streets wound up and down the village’s hills like staircases.
The small lanes were purposefully built to offer some much-needed shade in the sweltering summer months.
There is hardly anything in ruins and very little that is out of place in this immaculate and immaculately clean community.
2. Visit the Art Galleries and Boutiques
The village of Eze boasts an astounding number of art galleries and stores featuring the creations of gifted painters, sculptors, and artisans, continuing the village’s longstanding heritage as a haven for creatives.
Eze is home to many art galleries and studios. Several stores offer free admission to view the artwork on exhibit in a gallery-like space. As you stroll around the hamlet, you’ll come across numerous small businesses to pop into and paintings displayed on the street by some studios.
3. Jardin Exotique d’Eze
The magnificent Jardin Exotique d’Eze, an incredibly beautiful garden set around the ruins of a castle at the city’s summit, is the top attraction in Eze.
The garden offers views over the hamlet and the sea, which helps to explain why Eze is known as “The Eagle’s Nest.”
The term “exotic” refers to the garden’s dominant cactus and desert-type plants, while the back portion has more Provencal-style flora. The plants are dotted with fourteen distinct statues of the earth goddesses, which blend in wonderfully with the Eze culture.
Take care to investigate every one of the garden’s winding paths, which lead to various balconies and levels. If you descend the stairs at the rear of the hill, you will find several tranquil waterfalls and water features.
- Hours: 9 am-7:30 pm
- Entrance Fee: 7 euro
4. Notre Dame de l’Assomption Church
The primary church of Eze, Notre Dame de l’Assomption, has an extremely complex interior and a stunning golden yellow facade. Inside are stunning pillars made of green and brown marble, gold accents and ornaments, and paintings painted on the dome’s ceiling. It has a beautiful effect.
5. The Cemetery
Situated directly off the same little plaza as the church, the Eze cemetery is close by. The more modern section of the cemetery is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the more historic section is closed.
Yet, make sure you notice the monument on the square just outside the cemetery to the men from Eze who died in World War 1.
6. Chapelle de la Sainte-Croix (des Penitents Blancs)
This very small chapel, The Chapel of the Holy Cross, is really just a room off of one of the streets in town, but it has a rich history.
This is believed to be the earliest structure in the village (dating back to the early 1300s), and members of the Order of the White Penitents used the chapel. These people dressed in white robes and hoods and helped the poor and sick during the time of the plague in Europe (14th century).
7. The Perfumeries of Eze
Although Grasse is still the world’s (and France’s) perfume capital, Eze serves as a lower hub for several of the country’s largest perfumeries. There are a few distinct perfume locations just outside of the old town.
This is a good stand-in experience and one I still recommend doing in Eze. I recommend visiting Grasse and taking complete tours of the most historic factories and the birthplace of perfume in France, as well as participating in a perfume-creating workshop (a top experience in southern France).
8. Galimard Museum + Boutique
Under the same building are two intriguing places to visit: the Galimard Museum and Boutique. The museum offers a quick, guided tour that teaches about the history of perfume, the history of the Galimard brand, the fundamental components of perfume, and the perfume-making process.
After arriving at the store, you will be escorted by an employee/guide who will lead you through a brief “perfume-smelling” experience. She will apply perfume to sample strips so you may smell and appreciate it.
Normally, about 5 different perfume fragrances are introduced, but you can always test out any of the perfumes they have in the shop.
The museum tour and boutique testing are all free. You show up and ask to visit. There’s zero pressure to buy and the workers are very happy to let you peruse and sample the perfumes.
9. Fragonard Usine and Boutique
Fragonard is another top French perfume brand and also has a factory (using) where you can take a short, free tour. There is also the Fragonard boutique you can visit for shopping and perfume testing.
Unlike the Galimard Museum and Boutique, which were located in the same building, the Fragonard + Boutique is a couple of blocks away from each other, and you can visit one or both.
10. Chemin Frederic Nietzsche
The Chemin Frederic Nietzche path takes you from the village of Eze and down the mountain to the sea, the beach, and the coastal town of Eze-sur-Mer (Eze by the Sea).
The path is so-named because renowned German philosopher, Frederic Nietzsche, hoping to improve his health, spent some time living in Eze in the 1880’s’. He hiked this trail up from the sea to the hilltop village daily, and it was where he took inspiration for his third philosophical novel, Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
The path is rugged and steep, and it’s definitely more of an intense hike than a stroll. I recommend good shoes, as the path is rocky and uneven in many spots.
If you plan to hike from the bottom up, be prepared for an intense workout. We were quite happy that we chose to go top-down. It’s a great hike, though – the views of the sea, particularly on the last ¼ of the hike, are phenomena.
11. Viewpoint on the Nietzsche Path
You may reach a viewpoint of Eze village by taking a short detour that is located at a short distance from the path’s summit. Although you will only be able to see a portion of the village, it is still quite a nice view and the best you will get off this one. Stopping by here is worth the few minutes.
12. Plage d’Eze (Eze Beach)
When you get to the bottom of the Nietzsche Trail, you’ll want to cross the pedestrian bridge right in front of you and walk the few minutes through some residential streets to reach the beach.
The beach is rocky but extends far along the coastline. We didn’t get in and swim, but there was a little pier that we sat on and put our feet in the water for a while, which felt amazing after hiking down the trail in the warm weather.
Practical Information
How to Get to Eze
There are a few different ways to get to the village.
- You can arrive via bus for just a few euros.
- You can take the train to Eze-sur-Mer and then hike the Chemin Frederic Nietzsche up to Eze Village.
- You can drive yourself or take an Uber or taxi.
- Finally, visiting as part of a guided tour of the French Riviera is also a great option.
Guided Tour to Eze
If you want to see many French Riviera cities and villages in a single day and don’t want to handle logistics, taking a tour is a fantastic alternative to visiting Eze.
If you’re visiting Eze, I suggest this fantastic all-day small-group excursion to Eze, Monaco, and La Turbie. You’ll see the quaint city of Eze, then the glamorous nation of Monaco, and finally, La Turbie, which has an amazing Roman monument and views over Monaco.
How Long Do You Need in Eze
Eze is small and very compact – you can easily explore the entire village and walk down the sea with a half-day in the city.
Eze is a popular destination, and it gets busy during the middle of the day. Visitors started arriving around 10 a.m. When the Exotic Garden opened at 10:30, the town was bustling with people.
How to Fit Eze Into Your French Riviera Itinerary
If you’re staying in a next-door smaller town or are visiting one of the larger towns on the Mediterranean, such as Nice, Monaco, Cannes, or Antibes, Eze is a great day trip destination.
While most people choose the Eze day trip, there are a few absolutely gorgeous hotels in the village, so you can enjoy the quaint atmosphere in the mornings and evenings when the town is quiet and serene.
If that interests you, these are the 2 main hotels that are actually in the middle of Old Town Eze:
Chateau Eza: This hotel is housed in a restored Louis XIII-style castle. The hotel restaurant is first-rate, and many rooms feature private balconies with views of the sea.
La Chèvre d’Or: This opulent hotel features four restaurants, a spa centre, an outdoor heated pool, private gardens, and fantastic sea views. The rooms and house are elegant and stunning.
Is Eze Worth Visiting – The Wrap-Up
This article clearly shows that Eze is a beautiful and charming location. Even though it’s a well-liked tourist spot and can get crowded throughout the day, it’s still a really lovely village with charming corners and a feel straight out of a fairy tale. When visiting southern France, make sure to stop in at Eze!