Guided tour of Eze village and its exotic garden

Once upon a time there was the medieval city of Eze ……

This summer, I made an appointment at the Tourist Information Office of Eze with its manager-guide Patrick Le Tiec for a guided tour of the village and the Jardin Exotique.

We begin to climb the steps and the lanes of the only way to access the village of Eze … It imposes itself from the top of its rocky peak, it is for a good reason that it is nicknamed the “Eagle’s Nest!

At the entrance to it, we leave on our left the “Nietzsche Path”; it is during his ascent that the philosopher wrote the last part of “Thus Spake Zarathustra”. After passing the famous Hotel-Restaurant “Château de la Chèvre d’Or”, the entrance to the village opens to us…

Its stones tell us about this medieval period when the Ezasques repulsed the numerous invasions, which over time, left traces of their passages in the walls…

At the turn of the cobbled streets, I can admire the houses of the first Lords, the residence of Prince William of Sweden and many other celebrities like the actor Francis Blanche…

Here and there, clinging to ancient walls, bougainvillea, jasmine and rosebushes bring touches of color and intoxicating scents… The houses are wrapped around this rock… The sun floods with its light the white facades… Under the vault of a passage, the Chapel of the White Penitents invites me to enter; it houses a crucifixion attributed to Ludovic Bréa… Craftsmen’s shops, artists’ studios have replaced wine cellars or period stables…

I continue my visit with Patrick; Enthusiastic, he is the living memory of this village, he is a well of information, anecdotes, I could have stayed for hours listening to him tell me about Eze!

A breathtaking view…

We arrive at the top of the village at 429 meters, the Exotic Garden welcomes us… The panorama is breathtaking, the vermilion tiles of the houses are opposed to the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea, hundreds of plants enthroned around the remains of the old Castle… Cactus, agaves, aloes stand out on the horizon; this garden is intimate, relaxing, beautiful… On a clear day, Patrick tells me we can see Corsica…

I take some pictures to immortalize this privileged moment where reliefs, perfumes and colorful hues harmonize.

After a few moments when Patrick explains to me the specificity of each species of plants, we leave this paradisiacal garden and finish our visit by the Church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.

I recommend visiting the village of Eze and its Exotic Garden labeled “Remarkable Garden”; an exceptional and unique site!

Practical information

On reservation according to availability at the Tourist Information Office of Eze at 04 93 41 26 00 or on request in person at the reception
Guided Tour + Exotic Garden Entrance Fee: 12 € adult, free for children under 12
Guided tour every day except Sunday and public holidays
Duration: approximately 1h15 / 1h30
Educational booklet for children and small gifts provided by the Tourist Information Office
By car: Oppidum parking at Col d’Eze with shuttle every 20 minutes to Eze Village (6 € / day parking + shuttle)
By bus, line d’Azur (82, 83 and 112, from Nice, Beaulieu or Monaco)
Numerous on-site restaurants (all budgets)
Public WC at the entrance to the village and near the church