Eze

[annettecinca]

Eze has come up a few times, and I promised pictures, so here they are! For those of you not familiar with Eze, it's a medieval village in the Côte d'Azur, high up on a mountaintop overlooking the Mediterranean. It sits about midway between Nice and Monaco, and is hundreds and hundreds of years old (someone smarter than me will have to tell us how old!). A few people live there year round, but it's mostly just tourists now (but don't let that scare you away--it is just so charming, you have to see it!). I believe it's closed in the winter, so check first if you're there that time of year. In October of last year it was not busy at all, but I can't imagine being there with thousands of others! It is truly a storybook village, full of little surprises around every corner. There are quite a few restaurants, a hotel, and yes, souvenir shops (mostly artisan-types, not tacky). You can access it by train from Nice very easily, just hop off at Eze-sur-Mer and take a short taxi ride or bus to Eze Village (trust me, you won't want to walk!).

From the top of the hill looking down toward the Mediterranean

Welcome to Eze! This is the hotel's restaurant

Plants grow everywhere

Cute little niches around every curve

The whole village roadway system consists of narrow brick and stone walkways and stairways like these

Hubby (on right) and our friend (sharing a bag of candy, I think?)

Just another cute little window...one of many

And our friends' wife... I just love the stonework throughout Eze

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

What a great place to discover! Thanks for posting these.

[holger]

;D


Looks well worth seeing. We won't get there this trip but maybe on another.

[Shoesy]

What a charming village!

[andi]

Can't type anything, I am speechless! ;D

[aude]

Eze is a beautiful place. We were there on November 2, and it was closed up tight. We were still able to look around in limited areas, but all of the shops and restaurants were closed for the season. I have a friend who stayed in the inn at the bottom of the climb into the village, and said it was wonderful. The drive to get there is memorable, too!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

When Annette said it was closed in winter, I thought she meant that figuratively -- I had no idea it was literal! This looks like an amazing place - sort of a bastide town, in sight of the Med! And, on top of that, it's clearly beautiful.

[annettecinca]

Yep, I meant it's closed! I remember reading that somewhere, but couldn't back up my info, so I'm glad someone else confirmed it for me. Thanks, Aude--

[mtngrl]

I saw Eze on Samantha Brown's Passport To Europe show and thought it looks really cool! Both DH and I were ready to book a trip there while watching the show.

[annettecinca]

Yes, I saw that program, too! Eze is every bit as charming as depicted on the show.

[diz]

What superb photos!
We were there in mid-November a couple of years ago and it was quiet, but not 'closed'. We went into the cactus garden at the top, had lunch just outside and then did a quick tour of the perfume place (and escaped without buying anythng). We actually got a service bus up from Nice, (which is an experience in itself and well-recommended just to see the views from the middle corniche), then walked *down* the footpath to Eze-Bord-de-la-Mer. It's definitely steep!
I've still got the URL for the website (I'd like to go back!) and had a look at opening dates - it looks like the two big hotels close for the winter, but the smaller places may be open: www.eze-riviera.com/infos/restaurants_eze.htm
Unlike parisfan, I feel no guilt that Nice is a shortbreak destination from here!

[aude]

When we were there (early November) something kind of odd was going on. Everything was closed, but there was a big helicopter going back and forth with a long cable, picking up very big things (?) and lifting them out of the village and disappearing down the hill, then returning to do it all again. We couldn't get a great view of this, but could hear it (very loud!) and could see it lift up and disappear from view. So......all that to say, perhaps there were unusual circumstances (construction?) or something that meant that everything was closed that day. However, from having read guidebooks, I knew that it was close to the time when lots of places in Eze would be closing for the season. It was still beautiful!

[Roniece]

Hey Annette, I just checked to see whether my Tour in August takes me to Eze ... unfortunately no, but I'm thinking I could plan to hijack the coach on the way... I'm sure the coach driver will see reason with my request after seeing those gorgeous pics you posted for us! What a beautiful place!!!

Roniece

[sandy]

Look what I found. The views look spectacular, it must be great to stay here, and check the special offers, it isn't so expensive for what you get. Don't miss the panoramic 360^o views:

www.chevredor.com/uk/indexsommaire.htm

[rssilverandlight]

Sandy - how right you are about the 360 degree photographs
(panoramas) of Eze; they are spectacular ! Not to be missed