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 Eze — A Must Visit When in the French Riviera  US 
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T H E B LO G 06/09/2016 03:12 pm ET | Updated Dec 06, 2017

Eze — A Must Visit When in the French

Riviera
By Craig O’Sullivan

After many years of wanting to visit, this May my mother and I were finally able to book a trip
to the Mediterranean coastal jewel of France that is the Cote d’Azur. For a tourist there’s
plenty to see and do in the French Riviera during the month of May as it annually hosts the
Cannes Film Festival and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Although we were able to make it to the
Palais des Festivals for a red carpet event during Cannes (though stepladders with paparazzi
obstructed our view), the highlight of our trip was Eze, a mountaintop village that dates back
to the middle ages.

Eze is located between Nice and Monaco, and a convenient ride from either city. As with
many who visit the Riviera, we chose Nice as our home base. Nice is a non-stop flight from
NYC, and the Nice airport is only a 15 minute ride from the city center, making it a very
desirable vacation destination. Eze is about 30 minutes
from Nice, and even if you have a car, I’d highly
recommend taking the bus to get there as parking is very
limited, and more importantly, you won’t be able to
completely enjoy the jaw-dropping scenic ride along the
sea and up the mountain.

Two bus routes will take you from Nice to Eze. #112 and
#82, though on Sundays and holidays only the #82 runs.
Although we went on a Monday, it happened to be a bank
holiday so we took the #82 from the Boyer stop, a few
blocks from the Promenade des Arts (Included my Google
Maps screenshot). Neither of us speak French, and not
every bus stop was marked on the map, so it was a little
tricky finding the Boyer stop. Where Nice lacks in signage
it makes up for in hospitality (a welcome change for New
Yorkers!), and a combination of helpful locals and fellow
tourists pointed us in the right direction.

After we boarded, the bus made a handful of stops before ascending the mountain. The
winding journey is a preview of the spectacular sights that await as you’ll pass parting cruise
ships, hillside communities, and docked yachts while crossing bridges over cliffs that
overlook the sea. My mom and I were so focused on catching the views that we weren’t
paying attention to the stops, but when most of the bus began to empty we knew we had
arrived.

The entrance to historic Eze is only a short walk from the bus stop along with an information
center, a small parking lot, and several businesses. There was also a snack cart that served
homemade treats which came in handy at the end of the trip. I’m not too sure whether it was
my thirst after walking around for two hours in the sun or the brown sugar ingredient, but
they had the best lemonade I’ve ever tasted.

Upon entering Eze I felt transported back to the

Medieval period while walking up the uneven stone
streets through narrow passages and under low
archways. Such feelings of being in a museum village
quickly subsided as an expensive art gallery, gift shop
or cafe could be found around every corner. There’s
even a 5-star hotel complete with a pool and spa, as
well as room doors that line the alleyways.

However, thankfully not all of Eze had been to

converted to modern tourist trappings. We were in awe
after stepping inside the village church as the interior
looked like it hadn’t been modified for several
centuries with its tight rows of rickety pews, melted
down candlesticks, and dilapidated walls marred by
peeling paint. Just beyond the church is a small cemetery where World War I soldiers are
interred in mausoleums.
 I had researched a bit about Eze prior to visiting as
a couple of family members had been there a
number of years ago and highly recommended it.
Not only does Eze have a preserved historic village,
but it also has an exotic botanical garden. Awarded
with a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, the
Jardin Exotique d’Èze did not disappoint.

Perched above the village on top of the mountain,

the garden has spectacular panoramic views of the
Mediterranean and the hills below. Stone staircases
and paths snake among sculptures, statues, and
the countless species of plants and cacti
indigenous to the semi-arid climate of the Cote
d’Azur. We wandered with delight for more than an hour, pausing constantly to admire the
stunning vistas while snapping dozens of photos that would inevitably be shared on
Facebook and Instagram.
Although the images that we captured on our
smartphones will help us remember the natural beauty
of the garden of Eze, they pale in comparison to the
tranquility that only occurs while being absorbed in the
moment. It was amazing standing there at the
mountain summit, untethered from typical concerns
and routines. The experience was truly sublime.

Since returning home to the United States, I’ve spoken

to a number of people who have been to the French
Riviera. Regardless of whether they are French or
American, I was shocked to hear that not a single one
has been to Eze. So if you ever visit Nice, Cannes, or
Monaco, do yourself a favor and plan some time to
enjoy Eze.
Follow Craig O’Sullivan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigosullivan

Craig O’Sullivan 
Innovation Strategist. Fitness Enthusiast. Accidental Tourist.

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