How to Spend a Weekend in Èze

Located on a hilltop on the Côte D’Azur, the medieval village of Èze is the site of a recent REDD project. We redeveloped two villas, ancillary buildings and the surrounding landscape to optimise our client’s living space and gardens.

Only a half-hour drive from Nice airport, Èze is home to some of the best hotels and restaurants in Provence, as well as centuries-old churches, beautiful gardens and independent boutiques.

Here are our recommendations for a weekend in Èze.

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Friday Evening: Where to Stay

There are several options for luxury accommodation in the old town of Èze. Five-star Château Eza has 14 rooms, all with sea views, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves a tasting menu by Monégasque chef Justin Schmitt.

Another five-star hotel in the historic part of the town, Château de la Chèvre d’Or, has 45 rooms, tranquil gardens and a swimming pool with views of the sea.

Saturday Morning: Explore Èze

The old town of Èze is car-free, which makes it easy to explore on foot. Steep stone stairs and narrow alleys reveal cafés, galleries, and boutiques selling spices, leather, perfume and jewellery. Ruins of the town’s castle, which date back to the 12th century, still stand at the highest point of the village, and the medieval Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church has been classified as a ‘Monument Historique’.

A short drive or bus journey up the mountain is the Fort de la Revère, a set of military fortifications built in 1870 to protect Nice. There is currently no access to the fort itself, but the surrounding park offers one of the most beautiful views of the Côte d'Azur, from Italy to the Île du Levant.

Saturday Afternoon: Visit Monaco

Èze is just a fifteen-minute drive from Monaco, known for its elegant harbour and lively nightlife. Le Rocher, the Old Town, is reached via the steep, terracotta-tiled Rampe Major. At the Palais Princier de Monaco, state apartments are open to visitors, and the nearby cathedral is the final resting place of members of the Monégasque Royal Family.

The city’s many excellent restaurants include Les Perles de Monte-Carlo at the end of Fontvieille pier, which serves fresh oysters, and the two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs at Hotel Metropole. 

Located in a Beaux-Arts building fronted by palm trees and a fountain, Casino de Monte-Carlo features in films including GoldenEye, Never Say Never Again and Ocean’s Twelve. It also plays host to ballet and opera performances.

Sunday Morning: Shop at Èze Market

Èze’s weekly market takes place on a Sunday morning on Place de La Colette, near the Moyenne Corniche in the north of the historic village centre. 

Stallholders sell a variety of local produce including fresh fruit, vegetables, olives and cheeses, as well as clothing and souvenirs.

Sunday Afternoon: Discover the Exotic Gardens

Le Jardin Exotique is a highlight of any stay in Èze. Created in the 1940s in the ruins of the castle, the garden contains tropical and exotic plants including cacti, agave and aloe. It also offers one of Provence’s best panoramas, with views of the Mediterranean, the coastline and the surrounding hills. 

If you’d like to know more about our recent project in Èze, contact our Monaco team on monaco@redd-realestate.com.