DESCRIPTION
Overhanging the sea, the old village of Eze has retained all its charm over the years. With the ruins of its medieval château and its little, narrow alleys, the small town attracts craftspeople and artists. Nicely settled into the former dairy barns and sheepfolds on the ground floors of old buildings, they contribute to the pleasant atmosphere of the “perched village.”
Renowned for its peace and quiet, Eze has had numerous famed inhabitants. Of particular note was Nietzsche. It was here that the philosopher wrote
“Thus Spake Zarathustra”. This piece of history is perpetuated by the
chemin de Nietzsche (the Nietzsche Pathway).
HISTORY
The village of Eze was first occupied in prehistorical times. However, the first people known to settle here were the Celto-Ligurians. Then came the Phoenicians. The Saracens took over from the Romans. Finally, Eze became part of France, or at least for a certain period, as it did not definitively become part of French territory until 1860. Over the centuries, the village had large fortifications built to ward off invaders. Today, little remains of these installations. On the orders of Louis the XIV, the
ramparts and castle were partially demolished. Only one fortified double gate from that era,
la Poterne, serving as the entrance to the village, survives.
ENTERTAINMENT
Local arts and crafts are integral to village life. You can explore the little workshops when walking through the alleys. In addition, Eze also has several places of worship, such as la
Chapelle Sainte-Croix (chapel) also known under the name of
Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs built for the “Confrérie du Rosaire” (Brotherhood of the Rosary) in 1713 and the
Eglise Notre-Dame de l’Assomption (church)). The ruins of the "château" and the
ramparts are testament to the strategic importance of the town with
La Poterne, the fortified double gate, the
Porte des Maures and the
Demeure des Riquier…
Every year, a medieval festival «
Eze d’Antan» (the Eze of Old) re-enacts the lost years of the village of Eze. Other
events punctuating life in Eze are the
Astrorama in particular, where one can peacefully gaze at the stars.
WALKS
As far as countryside is concerned, the
Parc de la Revere and the Grande Corniche enable you to have a beautiful
sea view. For walkers seeking inspiration, the
Chemin de Nietzsche is a must and contributes to the reputation of the village. Eze has other green areas, such as the
exotic Va Rahmeh gardens and
Eze gardens where sculptors’ works are set out on display.
SPORTS
For sporty people, Eze give you the opportunity of taking part in
water sports,
tennis,
golf, and a multitude of other activities, such as hiking...
LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS
village of Eze is located between
Nice and
Monaco. In the immediate vicinity are the towns of
La Turbie,
Villefranche-sur-Mer,
St Jean Cap-Ferrat,
Beaulieu,
Cap d’Ail and so on...
By air :
Nice Côte d’Azur International is the closest airport. At
Monaco a heliport links the Principality and Nice Airport.
By road :
When you are coming from Nice on the A8 motorway, take exit 57 –
La Turbie. Then take the D45 up to the village of Eze. When coming from the other direction, come off at Monaco and head for the village of Eze via the “Moyenne Corniche” (middle coastal road). You can also come in from the seaside route by taking the “Basse Corniche” (lower coastal road), the RN98, or take the “Moyenne Corniche,” the RN7, or the “Grande Corniche” (upper coastal road), the D2564.
By train :
Eze-Bord-de-Mer railway station is served by the regional TER network.
See all Hotels in Eze.
