The first time I tried to visit Èze was back in 2016, during a four-month backpacking trip across Europe. I was based in Nice for a few days and only had one free day to squeeze in a day trip.
Being the naive traveler I was at the time, I hopped on the train to Èze, only to discover upon arrival that it doesn’t actually take you to the hilltop village. It drops you near the sea to Èze-sur-Mer, just steps from the water, not exactly where I was hoping to end up. A quick online search confirmed my luck: there was also a bus strike that day, so no buses were running up to the village. Instead, I spent a couple of hours at the beach before continuing on to Monaco.
Fast forward nine years, and I finally made it back to the French Riviera. This time with a rental car, just to be sure I could get to all the places I wanted to see without worrying about any strikes. I’m happy to report that I made it to Èze.
This medieval hilltop village has some of the most spectacular views along the Riviera. From the top, you can see all the way to the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula and down toward Monaco. It’s small, you really only need to plan for a half a day here.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Èze, including where to eat, what to see, and if you’re thinking about staying overnight, the best hotels to book for an unforgettable stay.
Things to Do in Èze Quick List
Stay: La Chèvre d’Or; Château Eza; Hôtel Eze Hermitage
Do: Jardin Exotique; Explore the Village; Fragonard Perfume Factory; Hike the Nietzsche Trail
Eat: Château Eza; La Chèvre d’Or; Les Remparts
Top Tours: Half-Day, Small Group Tour to Monte Carlo & Èze from Nice; Full-Day Tour to Èze & Monaco from Nice
Is Èze Worth Visiting?
So, is Èze worth visiting? My honest opinion: absolutely. It’s one of those must-see spots on the Riviera. With its winding cobblestone streets, medieval charm, art galleries, and lush exotic garden, it ticks all the boxes.
However, it’s no hidden gem. Everyone else on the Riviera wants to visit too, and it gets busy. Learn from my mistake: we went around 2:00 p.m. in peak season. I knew it would be crowded, but it was so packed it was hard to enjoy. If I were to do it again, I’d go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds, or wait until around 4:00 p.m. when it starts to clear out.
Things to do in Èze, France
Explore the Village
Wind your way up the narrow, cobbled streets of Èze, where wrought-iron signs hang from shopfronts and pink bougainvillea spills over from terracotta rooftops.
Peruse the art galleries and boutiques that line the village and take a pause at the balconies for incredible views of the Riviera below.
Stop into the Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, an 18th-century church with classic Baroque interiors and a sunflower-colored bell tower that’s visible from the Exotic Gardens.
Visit the Jardin Exotique
Built on the ruins of the Château d’Èze, a 12th-century fortress, this exotic garden is home to succulents, cacti, and other unique plants from around the world.
It was built after World War II, thanks to the village’s mayor, and today it’s a thriving botanical garden, with the esteemed designation with the esteemed Jardin Remarquable designation in France.
Walk all the way to the very top of the garden for arguably the best panoramic views in the Riviera.
To avoid waiting in line, book your tickets online at the garden’s website. We did not get our tickets ahead of time and waited around 15 minutes to enter.
Tip: It gets hot in the summer, especially around midday, and there’s very little shade. Try to go to the garden first thing in the morning. I went around 3:00pm and couldn’t bear to stand in the sun for very long because of the heat.
Tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory
At the base of the village, you’ll find one of Fragonard’s three perfume factories. The other two are in Grasse, the global capital of perfume. Fragonard has been a family-run business since 1926. They produce all of their perfume in the Riviera and only sell it within France.
At the Èze location, they offer free, 30-minute guided tours of the factory and laboratory. I highly recommend joining one. We walked in and joined an English tour right away – no reservations needed.
I learned a lot about the different types of fragrance, from cologne to eau de parfum, and how each one is made.
The Èze factory focuses mainly on soaps and cosmetics. During the tour, we watched someone handcrafting soap and another person mixing a formula for body cream. At the end, you’re taken to the boutique, where you can shop their products at factory prices. We picked up a few soaps to bring home.
For more info and opening hours, visit Fragonard’s website.
Lunch (or Dinner) at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
I come from a U.S. state with over 3 million people and zero Michelin-starred restaurants. Èze, a tiny medieval village, has two. At this point, I shouldn’t expect anything less in France.
Château Eza has one Michelin star, and La Chèvre d’Or has two. Both are located within luxurious five-star hotels with stunning cliffside views. If you plan to dine at either restaurant, book well in advance.
Another option is Les Remparts, also part of La Chèvre d’Or, with a more approachable menu price-wise.
Hike the Nietzsche Trail
If you’re looking for a hike with a view, the Nietzsche Trail is for you. This trail is a 2 km (1.2 mile) hike each way from Èze-sur-Mer up to the village. It’s named after German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who frequently walked this path while staying in the area.
The trail is steep. It starts at sea level and climbs over 400 meters (1,300 feet) in elevation. Plan for about 1 to 1.5 hours going up and around 1 hour coming down. Avoid hiking during the heat of the day, and bring plenty of water if you’re doing it in summer.
If you want the views and the experience without the uphill workout, take the bus up to the village and walk down – that’s what I would do.
How to Get to Èze
By Car
We had a rental car during our French Riviera trip, so we drove to Èze. Since we arrived at peak time, traffic was a bit chaotic leading up to the village. Lots of tour buses and people walking along the road.
We parked at Parking Général de Gaulle, a paid underground lot at the base of the village. I recommend parking here. It’s convenient and just a short walk to everything.
By Bus and Train
The regional train from Nice to Èze takes only 14 minutes. Just keep in mind, it drops you off at Èze-sur-Mer—not in the village itself. From the train station, you’ll need to catch a bus up to the village, which takes about 15 minutes.
Alternatively, from the Nice Riquier train station, you can hop on bus #82, which takes you directly to Èze Village in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. This is the best option if you want to get there from Nice without transfers.
Tours to Èze
Here’s a round-up of some of the best tours to Èze.
- Half-Day, Small Group Tour to Monte Carlo & Èze from Nice
- Half-Day, Scoot Coupe Tour from Nice to Èze and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Full-Day Tour to Èze & Monaco from Nice
Where to Stay in Èze
- La Chèvre d’Or: 5-star hotel located within Èze village
- Château Eza: Luxury, 5-star hotel located in Èze village
- Hôtel Eze Hermitage: Lovely boutique hotel located just outside Èze
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit Èze: To avoid the crowds, plan your visit from late March to early May, or late September to early November. If you’re visiting during peak summer, go first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon, after 4:00 p.m.
Where to Park in Èze: Park at Parking Général de Gaulle, a paid underground lot.
How much Time in Èze: If you’re visiting Èze on a day trip, plan for 3-4 hours here.
Public Restrooms in Èze: There are public toilets near the tourist office. It costs €0.50 per person – cash only.