Eze is a fascinating medieval village situated about half way between Nice and Monte Carlo. Eze Village is one of the most charming stone villages in France. Èze has been described as an “eagle’s nest” because of its location overlooking a high cliff located over 437 meters above sea level on the French Mediterranean. Èze is famous worldwide for the gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea from the top of its hill, and it is a renowned tourist site on the French Riviera.
The small medieval village is famous for its beauty and charm. It has many shops, art galleries, hotels and restaurants that attract a large number of tourists and honeymooners. As a result Èze has become a “museum village”. There are very few local residents that live here. The Fragonard perfume factory has a sales outlet here. There are other perfumeries, and a wonderful aromatic selection of spices for sale.
Eze is a great place to spend a few hours while your cruise ship is docked along the French Riviera in Cannes or Nice. Cruise ship shore excursions to Eze are usually scheduled for half a day. If your shore excursion arrive you early you will miss the crowds that this tiny village holds later in the day. But on either side of the summer, there are no crowds and you can enjoy strolling the narrow lanes or having a bite to eat at one of the cafes with tables tucked away in whatever nook or cranny that presents itself.
While walking the paths of Eze, you can easily see that it was once surrounded by a 12th century fortified castle. The castle was torn down in 1706, but the village remained. The village forms a circular pattern around the base of the castle. Many of the local residents are now artisans, and shoppers can spend a lot of time wandering in and out of the cave-like shops. I purchased a water color of Eze from a local artist. It will always remind me of our few hours in Eze!
Written by: A Sternberg
