Cobbled footpaths winding through narrow lanes, stunning sea views, medieval magic… If Nice is the jewel of the French Riviera, Èze is a crystal. Taking a day trip from Nice to Èze Village is the perfect city escape.
Èze is the most charming hilltop village on the Côte d’Azur. Thanks to its perched position above the sea with unobstructed views, it’s often called an ‘Eagle’s Nest’. Sitting 427 metres above the sparkling Mediterranean, Èze feels like a fairytale come to life.
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If you’re staying in Nice, Èze is the perfect day trip for cute shops, art galleries, and lush gardens. Not only is it super easy to travel to Èze from Nice, but it’s the ideal amount of time to spend in this beautiful yet compact medieval village.
Here’s your complete one-day in Èze guide!
How To Get From Nice to Èze Village
By Car
Taking a mini road trip from Nice to Èze along the Moyenne Corniche is a great idea. The views are absolutely breathtaking! Plus, the driving distance from Nice to Èze is only 11 km. The journey should only take 20 to 30 minutes, so it’s a quick and convenient option.
You can rent a car at Nice Airport or Nice Train Station. Check whether you need an International Driving License before you arrive in France.
Parking Général De Gaulle is the only main car park in Èze and it’s at the base of the village. It costs €4.30 per hour or €34.70 for 24 hours. It fills up fast, so arrive early!
By Bus
Getting the bus to Èze from Nice is ideal for those who don’t want the hassle of renting a car. Buses depart from Vauban Bus Station and will drop you off at a bus stop at the base of Èze Village. From there, it’s only around a 7-minute walk to the centre.
Take the direct N.82 bus to Plateau de la Justice or the N.602 to Monaco Casino. It takes 40 minutes (there are around 22 stops en route) but you won’t be mad about the extra time. The countryside and sea views are beautiful.
The N.82 usually departs every two hours, as does the N.602. Don’t mistake it for the N.600 to Monte Carlo because that only stops in Èze-sur-Mer. Check Google Maps for the Nice to Èze bus timetable. It’s the best way to find it in English!
You can pay for tickets using the Lignes D’Azur app or using a rechargeable transport card.
By Train
Most people prefer the Nice to Èze bus over the train, and you’re about to find out why! Regional trains to Èze-sur-Mer depart from Nice-Ville Station approximately every 60-90 minutes.
Again, Google Maps is a great way to find train timetables in English. You can buy train tickets through an app like Omio or from a ticket machine at the station.
Trains only take around 15 minutes, but note that the trains arrive at Èze-sur-Mer station, not Èze Village. You’ll still need to hike up the hill to the village!
You follow the steep, 2.3 km-long Nietzsche Path. It can take 60-90 minutes just to climb up this path. It’s not for everyone, but a great way to get your steps in and you’ll be treated to beautiful views.
5 Top Things To Do in Èze
1. Explore the Village Streets
Taking an Èze day trip is perfect for travellers who don’t love following a jam-packed trip itinerary. You can arrive and simply just start walking around.
Èze’s Old Town is a labyrinth of cobbled lanes and vine-covered stone houses. Beauty and history are everywhere! Make a point of walking down every single lane in the village.
If you do want one or two spots to check out, there are lots of little boutiques, jewellery shops, and art galleries. Flow Art Gallery (9:30 AM-7:30 PM) and Les Treasors Olga Malinovskaya Fine Art Studio (10:30 AM-5:00 PM) are just two options.
2. Visit the Exotic Garden
Known as Jardin Exotique d’Éze, the Exotic Garden is a must-do on your Nice to Éze day trip. It’s at the village’s highest point so the views stretch from the Esterel Mountains and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. It’s absolutely breathtaking!
The Exotic Garden is home to dozens of succulent and other xerophytic (little water) species. There is also a waterfall, caves, and artistic trails lined with sculptures so you can be immersed in the natural beauty.
Currently, the entrance fee is only €7 and it’s open from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM.
3. Stop by Èze Church
Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption de Èze (to use its full name!) is a pastel-yellow church that really stands out in Èze’s skyline. It’s an 18th-century neoclassical building full of paintings, frescoes, and beautiful marble columns and chandeliers.
It is usually open daily from 9:00 AM-7:00 PM. It’s free to enter (although donations are welcome) so it’s well worth popping inside.
4. Tour the Fragonard Perfume Factory
Fragonard is a master French perfumer with dozens of stores throughout the country from Paris to Avignon. What’s special about their Éze location is that it’s also a factory where they make perfumes.
Opened in 1968, this huge factory makes soaps as well as fragrances. Join one of their free guided tours and hit the shop afterwards for local souvenirs.
Fragonard Perfume Factory is open from 9:00 AM-6:00 PM every day. They don’t take reservations for tours but there’s also not a set schedule. Head to the factory first thing so you can return later in the day if they aren’t running yet.
5. Hike the Nietzsche Path
The Nietzsche Path (or Chemin de Nietzsche) is a hiking trail that stems from Éze-sur-Mer (near the train station). It follows a narrow, rocky trail up the side of the hill to Éze Village at the top.
It’s 2.3 km long and takes around 90 minutes to climb. This isn’t an easy climb, but you get beautiful views and a great workout.
I should also point out that you don’t have to climb up the hill. If you take the bus from Nice to Éze Village in the morning, you could descend the path and take the train back from Éze-sur-Mer afterwards. As long as you’re confident in your knees; it’s pretty steep!
Essential Tips for a Day Trip to Èze From Nice
- Wear comfy shoes: Cobbled lanes, hiking trails… I’m sure it’s obvious that you should wear comfy and sturdy shoes on your Èze day trip. Leave the flip-flops and sandals for the beach and heels for the casino!
- Book a hotel in Nice near transportation: Before booking your Nice hotel, research the locations of Nice-Ville Train Station and Vauban Bus Station. The bus station is outside of the city centre and you’ll probably have to ride a tram to get there. If you want to set off early to Èze, ensure you can get there easily from your accommodation.
- Check the weather: Apart from the church and perfume factory, most of the best things to do in Èze Village are outside. Plan your day trip when the weather is fair and consider arriving earlier/staying later to avoid bad weather.
- Enjoy a drink with a view: Èze has lots of bars and restaurants where you can order a glass of wine and sit outside. If you have the cash to splash, Hôtel Château de La Chèvre d’Or and Château Eza are two luxury hotels on the edge of the village. Their terraces have incredible views over the coastline, but you can find plenty of other places.
Nice to Èze Village Day Trip
There’s so much more to the French Riviera beyond the cities. Taking day trips will allow you to get a taste of the rest of the region. Whether you want to take a day trip from Nice to Éze for the historic feel, the sea views, or a change of scenery, this guide will help you plan your entire visit!
FAQs
- Is it worth it to go to Èze?
- Absolutely! Èze is a beautiful village with plenty of things to do on a day trip to Èze.
- How do you pronounce Èze?
- Èze is pronounced like Eh-zuh in English but it only has one syllable.
- What is there to do in Èze when it rains?
- When it rains in Èze, you can visit shops, churches like Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, and the Fragonard Perfume Factory.
- What is the difference between Èze and Èze Village?
- Èze refers to the entire commune stretching from Èze Village in the hills to Èze-sur-Mer on the coast. Èze Village only refers to the hilltop village. However, it’s common to refer to Èze Village as simply Èze.
- Is Èze walkable?
- Yes, Èze Village is very walkable when wearing comfy shoes!
