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You’ve likely seen photos of Eze while scrolling through social media. Picture-perfect rustic buildings perched atop a hill overlooking the glittering Mediterranean Sea come to mind when one imagines Eze.
But is Eze worth visiting? What are the best things to do in Eze? I aim to answer this and more!
And I’ll start out with I think social media has ruined Eze. The second I entered the rustic hilltop village I was bombarded with people wearing Instagram aesthetic outfits striking poses while their friends/partners snapped photos.
Look, I don’t want to hate. As someone who literally does blogging and social media for a living, I get it. Get your fun shots. Get your bag. It’s your vacation after all! But, there is little etiquette shown (i.e. taking turns, realizing you’re in the way and moving while in high traffic areas, etc.).
But also, everyone is taking the same shots of the same places doing the same poses. We’ve got to start having a modicum of originality! It seems like people are visiting some popular places just to get photos and leave, rather than enjoy it for what it is.
So yes, it is hard to wander around Eze village and NOT feel like you’re in someone’s photo or getting slightly annoyed between the heat and crowds. And I will say that I did visit in July so maybe that didn’t help!
But…I still think Eze may be worth it. So hear me out.
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Contents
- Best Things to Do in Eze + My Secret to Enjoying Eze (Away From the Crowds!)
- 1. Get Lunch at a Fancy, Tucked Away Hotel
- 2. Stay Overnight in Eze Village
- 3. Visit Jardin Exotique
- 4. Hike Nietzsche Path
- 5. Wander the Old Eze Village
- 6. Admire the Art Galleries
- 7. Visit the Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption
- 8. Go on a Perfume Tour
- 9. Enjoy the Beach
- 10. Day Trips From Eze
- How to Get to Eze
- Best Tours to Eze
- So…Is Eze Worth Visiting?
Best Things to Do in Eze + My Secret to Enjoying Eze (Away From the Crowds!)
Yes, it is possible to escape crowds and still enjoy the beauty of Eze and its stunning views. So let’s talk about it.
1. Get Lunch at a Fancy, Tucked Away Hotel
This is my secret if you’re going on a day trip to Eze and don’t want to fight the crowds!
Want to enjoy the views overlooking the Mediterranean and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat below? Then, make a reservation for lunch at a fancy hotel restaurant terrace and get the views, a nice lunch, and a fun drink…without the crowds!
I made reservations at Le Cafe du Jardin at the 5-star Chevre d’Or hotel and I can’t recommend it enough!
The restaurant sits overlooking the stunning sea, and it is in a serene setting. Just sit under an umbrella and take it all in!
I will say that it is pricey, but still cheaper than their Michelin-starred restaurant. But I paid over €100 for a starter, pizza for lunch, dessert, and a drink or two. But it was worth the splurge for a peaceful lunch in a beautiful setting.
Le Cafe du Jardin Hours: Open in early May through mid-October for lunch and dinner in July and August. You’ll want to make reservations here!
2. Stay Overnight in Eze Village
Want to avoid the crowds entirely? Hole up in a gorgeous hotel where the views of the sea below can be found from your pool (or hotel room!).
And you get the added benefit of having the town to yourself bright and early in the morning or in the evening when things close down and everyone leaves.
Now I will say that this can be a bit pricey, as hotels in Eze village are more expensive, but if you’ve got the money, or this is a honeymoon or something, then do it!
Here are some great places to stay:
Hotel Chateau de la Chevre d’Or: I know, this isn’t exactly a cheap place to stay. This 5-star hotel regularly starts at like $1,000+ per night, especially during the high season. But they do have beautiful rooms, access to their pool overlooking the sea, and some suites even have their own plunge pools. If I had the money, I’d definitely be staying here for a night or two just to enjoy the hotel and Eze without the crowds.
Chateau Eza: I know, it’s another 5-star hotel with around $800 starting prices per night. But rooms here have lovely views, and some suites even have jacuzzis overlooking the beautiful sea. Plus, they too have a Michelin-starred restaurant and a bar/lounge area.
La Suite du Village d’Eze: Although still not cheap, it is far less expensive to stay here than the other 2 hotels mentioned. It’s also located on a tucked-away street, and the terrace has stunning views! So even though you don’t have epic views from the room, the terrace is lovely.
3. Visit Jardin Exotique
Okay, this is a super popular place to visit in Eze, but it is worth it!
Plus, it is large enough to kind of find pockets without crowds. But this place is at the top of the village and has cacti, a waterfall, several gardens, a relaxing area with flowing water and lounge chairs, etc.
All of this is great to see, but the best part is the views at the top!
The top has ruins from a Medieval fortress and several lady sculptures with various quotes. This area has some stunning views of the village and sea below!
So yes, it is worth it!
My tip is to either go here as soon as it opens or go an hour or so before closing to enjoy it with the fewest amount of people.
Hours: Open every day. In January-March and November-December: 9 am-4:30 pm. In April-June and October: 9 am-6:30 pm. In July-September: 9 am-7:30 pm.
Cost: €8 for adults, €6 for children ages 12-17 and students (with student ID), and free for children under 12.
4. Hike Nietzsche Path
If you want to go for a challenging but beautiful hike, you could also hike up Nietzsche Path.
That being said, you may have to do this if you’re coming to Eze as a day trip from Nice! That is because the train station to go to Eze is at the bottom of the hill near the sea in Eze-sur-Mer.
Now, there is a bus (Ligne 83) that’ll take you to Eze village from the train station.
But if you want more of a challenge, you can take the 1-hour hike up to the top yourself along the Nietzsche Path.
This is about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) each way, and going up is an elevation gain of around 1,325 ft (435 m).
That being said, most people aren’t trekking up the hill to get here. It likely won’t be empty, depending on when you do this, but it is a good hike up to get some exercise before also wandering upwards in the village.
I do recommend doing this hike early in the morning as it gets hot and there isn’t a lot of shade. So always bring sunscreen and lots of water.
5. Wander the Old Eze Village
Okay, I know that it can be frustrating to wade through crowds of tourists especially in peak season and the peak of the day.
But Eze is still a truly beautiful village. Between the sea views and the stone houses with orange rooftops, it is a beautiful place to go.
So yes, I do recommend walking around the village and taking it all in!
Even take photos- enjoy it! Just make sure to be mindful of other people around you and put the phone/camera down to actually take it all in!
My favorite thing to do was to wander further from where the crowds were and find the tucked away alleys with fewer people and adorable flowers that are growing up the stone houses.
These are great places to take photos without getting in people’s way and it is unique versus the more popular areas.
I also recommend doing this early in the morning or before sunset when the day trippers are mostly gone.
6. Admire the Art Galleries
On the one hand, there aren’t many locals left in Eze village. There are hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops. So it gives Eze a more “Disney” like feel than a real place these days (I hate to say it, but Mont Saint Michel is very similar-although still worth visiting!).
But, there are also these art galleries all over the town that are pretty to stop in and enjoy. You may even want to purchase a piece while you’re wandering around.
7. Visit the Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption
This church dates back to the 18th century and is a pretty yellow building with a lovely Baroque interior. This place is well worth a stop during your time in Eze to view the artwork inside and enjoy a peaceful moment during your day in Eze.
Hours: Daily from 9 am-7 pm.
8. Go on a Perfume Tour
There are actually 2 famous perfumeries in Eze: Fragonard and Galimard. They are both just outside the old village, and if you love perfume, these are great places to go to!
While I loved checking out Fragonard while staying in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, Fragonard and Galimard also have parfumeries in Eze that you can visit, take a tour, and shop some of their most beloved fragrances.
Plus, the tours are free!
Fragonard Hours: Daily 9 am-6 pm.
Galimard Hours: Daily 9:30 am-6 pm.
9. Enjoy the Beach
While the old village of Eze at the top of the hill gets all the attention, you can also just enjoy the beach at the bottom of the hill!
This is actually the easiest to visit via train, as the train station is near the beach!
Now this is a rocky beach, so bring your water shoes! While places like Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, etc. have sandy beaches, sadly, places like Nice and Eze do not.
That doesn’t mean that the beach isn’t beautiful on its own or that you can’t enjoy a nice swim here! Just be sure to wear your water shoes and swim anyway!
10. Day Trips From Eze
While most people tend to stay elsewhere and take day trips into Eze, you could stay in Eze and venture out to other places!
Here are some day trip ideas:
- Nice. Spend a fun day in Nice exploring the Promenade des Anglais, swimming in the sea, hiking up the Colline du Chateau, and perhaps visiting the Cours Saleya Market. Plus, it’s only a 15-minute train ride away to the Nice-Ville station.
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer. For a nice beach, smaller town, and closer spot, you could opt for Beaulieu-sur-Mer, which is a whopping 3-minute train ride from Eze.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer. Only 6 minutes away via train from the Eze train station is this charming beachside town. It also has a lovely little beach!
- Menton. Visit the citrusy city itself with its vibrant buildings and beautiful beach. You’re super close to the Italian border here! This is only a 21-minute train ride.
- Monaco. Just 8 minutes via train away and you’re in another country! Visit the casino (bring your passport), explore the aquarium, and perhaps even visit the palace.
- Cannes. A little further out (53 minutes via train) is Cannes. Known for its glitz, glamour, and shopping, this place is a fun day trip. Plus, it has sandy beaches and fabulous beach clubs (I love La Plage du Festival).
- Antibes. A 39-minute train ride will drop you off in Antibes. This is great for exploring the Picasso Museum and ramparts!
- Juan-les-Pins. Close to Antibes, this place is known for its stunning beaches. I LOVED YOLO Plage and the soft, sandy beach. This beach club was perfect for a relaxing, laid back day. It is a 42-minute train ride from Eze.
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This is a little trickier to visit, as this bougie French Riviera town doesn’t have a train station. Instead, you’ll take the train to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and then a bus to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. From here, you can wander to some fabulous beaches (Plage Paloma is the most popular but Plage de la Fosse and Plage des Fossettes are also nice), go for a hike, or visit the beautiful Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild mansion. Thankfully, it is only about a 25-minute train/bus to get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence. For another charming stone village, you could also take a train to Cagnes-sur-Mer and then a bus to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. This would be a little over 1 hour and 20 minutes each way.
- Cagnes-sur-Mer. Speaking of Cagnes-sur-Mer, in 33 minutes via train, you’re in this beachside town where you can enjoy a day at the beach. Note that this is a rocky beach too.
How to Get to Eze
Planning a visit to Eze? Thankfully, it is a fairly easy city to get to along the French Riviera! Here is how to get here.
1. Car.
I ended up renting a car for my 2-week South of France trip so I just ended up driving to Eze! It is only about a 20-minute drive or so from Nice, making it really easy.
Check AutoEurope for great deals!
PS– There is parking next to Eze village at Parking Général De Gaulle.
2. Train.
I just mentioned how close it is to go on day trips from Eze to various destinations! From Nice, it is about a 15-minute train ride! So many people base themselves in Nice and take the train to Eze.
Just note that you’ll still have to go from the Eze-sur-Mer train station to the village. So you can either hike up via Nietzsche Path or take the bus 83 up.
Note: The train estimate is from Nice-Ville. You could also take the train from Nice-Saint-Augustin or Nice-Riquier depending on where you’re staying in Nice.
3. Bus.
You can also take Bus 82 from Vauban in Nice to Eze Village. This takes about 23 minutes for the bus ride.
Best Tours to Eze
And if you don’t want to worry about driving or taking public transport to Eze, or you want a fun guided tour, you can do that too! Here are some tour options for Eze:
- From Nice: Eze, Monaco, & Monte Carlo Half-Day Trip
- From Nice: 4×4 Tour to Eze Village with Fragonard Perfume Factory
- From Villefranche: Shore Excursion to Eze, Monaco, & Monte-Carlo
When to Visit Eze
There are 2 ways to approach this, what time to get to Eze and what time of year to visit Eze.
The best time of day to visit is early morning before the Jardin Exotique opens. Then, you can explore the village before it opens and you can visit the garden as soon as it opens. That way, by 10 am when the crowds show up, you’re done with the garden and can check out other spots or leave.
Alternatively, you could also visit close to the end of the day. Visit the last hour in the gardens and enjoy Eze as most day trippers are leaving.
Note: You’ll want to alter this if you plan to visit a parfumerie, art galleries, etc., based on their hours.
Now as far as the best time of year to visit, you really can come anytime! However, during the low season, the garden and many places may close earlier or just close during that time of year (just check ahead of time!).
So winter isn’t likely the best time to come unless you want a more empty experience but more places may not always be open.
I’d honestly love to visit in late spring and early autumn. I’m talking about May and late September/early October. I visited the South of France on a 7-day road trip back in late September/early October a few years ago and it was perfect!
But even in peak summer from June through August, you can still visit and enjoy it. I still enjoyed it, but I didn’t love fighting the crowds as much.
Overall, I’d aim for May and September/October as the best times to visit Eze.
So…Is Eze Worth Visiting?
Despite the crowds, I do still think that Eze is worth visiting.
There are still a few tucked away spots you can enjoy some solitude and peace if you wander away from the main path everyone is walking on.
And, honestly, the real day saver was the lunch reservations at Le Cafe du Jardin at the Chevre d’Or hotel. It was a fantastic experience enjoying the views without the crowds.
But overall, I think Eze is worth visiting at least once in your life to see it! The views are fantastic! If I could do it over again, I’d actually stay and enjoy the village and seaside below for longer at a fancy hotel like the Chevre d’Or.
But even as a day trip, you could see it in a few hours. So get here earlier in the day, enjoy the garden, wander, have lunch, and then be off to your next locale!
Would you visit Eze? Do you think it’s worth it? Let me know in the comments!
Check out my video about Eze here:
@worldwidehoneymoon Unpopular opinion: Instagram ruined Eze. But you can combat the crowds. Note: the Jardin Exotique opens at 9am so you can go as soon as it opens to avoid crowds! #eze #ezefrance #southoffrance #cotedazur #provencealpescotedazur #frenchriviera #overrated ♬ Chill Vibes – Tollan Kim
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Kat is the France travel expert behind France Voyager. After studying abroad in Grenoble and traveling throughout France, she fell head over heels for the country. She has since visited many times since 2012 and is sharing all the tips for visiting France in this blog, which she has run for 4 years. Kat shares places she has traveled to and provides tips based on her own personal experiences of traveling and living in France. Aside from France Voyager, Kat also has a couple’s travel blog called World Wide Honeymoon and a podcast that she co-hosts with her husband, Chris, called the World Wide Honeymoon Travel Podcast.