Èze Village, France: How to Visit the Most Charming Village in the French Riviera (2025)
While the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera) is famous for its glamorous seaside towns, there’s another gem that deserves your attention: Èze Village. Perched dramatically on a cliff between Nice and Monaco, this medieval hilltop village has cobblestone streets, exotic gardens, and some of the most breathtaking coastal views in the French Riviera. Èze truly feels like a storybook town come to life.
Small in size, Èze makes an ideal day trip from Nice or other coastal towns along the French Riviera.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit to Èze Village, France — including how to take a day trip to Èze from Nice, and the best things to do in the enchanting destination of Èze.
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WHERE IS ÈZE VILLAGE?
Èze is located in the South of France, along the Moyenne Corniche, the scenic cliffside road that connects Nice to Monaco. The village sits 430 meters above sea level, offering jaw-dropping views over the French Riviera. It’s one of the most picturesque stops in southeastern France and a popular day trip destination from Nice.
ÈZE VILLAGE VS ÈZE-SUR-MER
When planning a visit to Èze, it’s important to know that there are actually two distinct areas: Èze Village and Èze-sur-Mer.
Èze Village is the historic, medieval hilltop town perched high above the Mediterranean Sea. This is the place most travelers are referring to when they talk about visiting “Èze” and what I’ll be referring to on this post.
On the other hand, Èze-sur-Mer sits at sea level, right on the coast. It’s much quieter and more residential, with a rocky beach and a train station that connects to Nice, Monaco, and Menton.
In short:
- Èze Village = Cliffside medieval town with views and historic charm
- Èze-sur-Mer = Coastal area with beach access and train station
Most visitors spend their time in Èze Village, and this what we did as well.
HOW TO GET TO ÈZE village FROM NICE
Nice is the most popular base in the French Riviera as it’s the most central – this is also where we had based ourselves. There are a few different ways you can get to Èze Village from Nice.
Take Bus From Nice to Èze Village
If you plan on traveling to Èze Village from Nice by public transportation, the best option is the bus. Take Bus 82 from Nice (use Google Maps with destination set to “Èze Village” to find out nearest stop from you). This bus will drop you off right at the village. However, keep in mind that everyone else trying to go to Èze will be hopping on along the way so this bus typically gets crowded, especially during summer months. The bus runs about once an hour for most of the day, sometimes twice in an hour.
I would avoid taking the train from Nice to Èze, unless you specifically want to see Èze-sur-Mer or want to hike. The train stops at Èze-sur-Mer and from there, you’ll need to either catch Bus 83 (approximately 15 minutes) or hike up the Nietzsche Path, a steep 4.3 km (2.7 mile) uphill trail that leads up to Èze Village.
Take an Uber to Èze Village
Honestly, I think Uber is the easiest and most convenient way to get to Èze Village from Nice. The ride takes around 25 minutes and typically costs €20–30, depending on traffic and time of day. Compared to public transport, it’s a much faster and more flexible option—especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
While Bus 82 is the main public transportation route to Èze Village, it only runs about once per hour and tends to get quite crowded during peak times. It’s also slower, making multiple stops along the way. When we visited the French Riviera, we had limited time, so paying a bit extra for an Uber felt totally worth it to maximize our day and skip the wait.
Driving to Èze Village
If you’re planning to explore various areas of the French Riviera—a rental car can offer added flexibility and convenience. Parking at the base of Èze Village may be limited, so try to arrive early or later in the day if you can.
Rental Cars: Book with Discover Cars for the best prices – I always choose a trusted company like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt within the search results.
WHERE TO STAY TO VISIT ÈZE:
Èze Village is small and it doesn’t take too long to explore it. Most people choose to visit Èze as a day trip rather than spending nights here – read my post on Nice which I think is the best base for exploring the French Riviera including Èze Village.
However, if you are looking for a quiet, luxury getaway in this enchanting village, Èze is home to two bucket list worthy hotels: La Chèvre d’Or and Chateau Eza.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN ÈZE:
Wander the Medieval Streets
Èze is full of twisting and turning cobblestone alleyways full of ivy-covered walls and quaint old stone houses. Every corner is picturesque – simply get lost and discover all the charm this village has to offer. As you walk around you’ll come across several art galleries and stores you won’t be able to resist checking out.
Jardin Exotique d’Èze
Jardin Exotique d’Èze is the highlight of this cute village. Sitting high up in the summit of the village, this garden features some of the best views of the French Riviera. It offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean and seeing it from this high up gives it a whole new perspective. There are different plants and cacti to explore in the garden, and don’t miss views of the clock tower of Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption).
There was a line to the garden – if you pre-purchase tickets at a kiosk at the base of the village, or online, you can skip the line and enter.
Dine at La Chèvre d’Or and Chateau Eza
Remember those stunning luxury hotels I mentioned earlier? They’re not just beautiful places to stay — they also offer some of the best dining experiences in Èze Village, with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, consider splurging on a formal meal at one of these iconic hotels. But even if a Michelin-starred meal isn’t on your itinerary, I highly recommend stopping by for a drink with a view — the setting alone is worth it.
La Chèvre d’Or: Has a 2 Michelin starred restaurant called La Chèvre d’Or, restaurant Les Remparts, Cafe du Jardin which sits on a panoranic terrace, and a bar.
Chateau Eza: 1 Michelin Starred Restaurant serving French and Mediterranean cuisine, and a Lounge Bar with an outdoor terrace. Both have incredible views.
Explore Art Galleries
Èze is home to several small art galleries tucked within its stone streets. Many feature works by local and regional artists. These galleries add a creative flair to the village and are perfect for finding a unique souvenir or simply admiring the craftsmanship.
Tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory
Founded in nearby town of Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, Fragonard is a prestigious French perfume house. If you don’t have plans to visit Grasse on your trip where Fragonard has a museum dedicated to its perfume making history, then stop by the Fragonard factory in Èze, where you can take a free guided tour to learn about the perfume-making process — from how raw ingredients are distilled to how fragrances are blended and bottled. It’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at an iconic French craft.
The Fragonard factory is located at the base of the village. You can make your own bottle of perfume here too!
HOW MUCH TIME TO SPEND IN ÈZE VILLAGE
If you just want to see the highlights (Jardin Exotique d’Èze and Medieval streets) then a few hours would be sufficient. Half a day is perfect for exploring Èze Village at a relaxed pace. If you plan to enjoy a leisurely lunch with a view, allow 4–5 hours.
I recommend combining your day trip to Èze Village from Nice with another nearby places such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco or Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat.
Guided Tours in Èze Village
If you enjoy walking tours, guided tours, here are some that are highly rated.
CONCLUSION
I hope I’ve inspired you to visit Èze Village, France, a true gem in the French Riviera. Remember to check out my other South of France posts for help planning your trip!
USE MY CHECKLIST TO PLAN YOUR TRIP!
- Flights
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
- Hotels
- I use Booking.com for most accommodations
- For Asia, I prefer Agoda as they have the most competitive prices. I also compare prices on Klook (you can use my code MINYWANDER for a discount so see if that’s a better deal)
- For vacation rentals, especially for larger families, consider VRBO
- Transportation
- Trains & Ferries – book on Omio
- Rental Cars – I usually book on DiscoverCars
- For reliable airport pickups, use Welcome Pickups
- For Asia I use Klook (code MINYWANDER for a discount) – Japan trains for example
- Activities & Tours
- GetYourGuide and Viator are my go to’s.
- For Asia, I prefer Klook as there are more options – use code MINYWANDER
- E-sim
- Stay connected with Airalo E-sims.
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