Èze: My New Favorite Place on the French Riviera

Èze is an easy day trip from many cities in the French Riviera - Cannes, Nice, or Antibes - but it’s also worth an overnight if you have the time.

I went to Èze as a day trip from Antibes. It’s an easy 45-minute train ride and once I got off the train, and even I couldn’t get lost walking across the street to the start of Nietzsche’s path.

The hike isn’t too strenuous. It took about an hour or so for me to get up to the top, only stopping a few times to take pictures. It’s a combination of a rocky path and some gradual stairs. I can see why Nietzsche found it cathartic to walk this path. And, according to Wikipedia, Walt Disney also spent a significant amount of time in Èze….so I guess I’m in good company.

At the top, 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean, is the medieval village of Èze. It is everything you’d expect - charming cobblestone alleyways lined with well-kept stone buildings.

There is also a medieval fortress at the top, which was featured in Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief, and offers views of the Devil’s Bridge.

View of Devil’s Bridge

The main attraction, for me though, was the Jardin Exotique. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s a desert garden full of succulents , cacti (are cacti succulents?), and exotic flowers. There’s even a tiny waterfall! And the backdrop is the most jaw-dropping view of the French Riviera. It’s worth the price of admission, which was €6. I would have paid more .

After working up quite an appetite, I stopped for lunch at Deli’, and had a Greek salad (of all things!) and a glass of sauvignon blanc before making my way back down the path. But not before I popped into Lili Rose to buy a pair of earrings to commemorate my trip.

View on the hike down Nietzsche’s Path

Hiked back down - always harder than the way up, in my opinion, but totally worth it for the views of the sea - and then hopped back on the train and headed back to Antibes.

If I could have, I would have stayed overnight to really appreciate all Èze has to offer. Highly, highly, highly recommend.

THE LOGISTICS 

Travel Date | April 2022

Transportation | SNCF

Pro Tips |

• If possible, visit during the week to avoid crowds

• Be sure to check holiday schedules, off-season schedules and if you are visiting on a Sunday or a Monday as hours may vary of shops and restaurants may be closed

#195Postcards