People flock to the French Riviera for the stunning coastline, great food, and general fun in the sun, but did you know that the area also boasts some quaint inland villages like Èze le Village, one of the most beautiful towns in France?

Perched on a cliff 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, Èze le Village is a must-see for visitors looking for stunning views and medieval charms. The town is situated between Nice and Monaco, and if you’re based in Nice, it’s only 7 miles away, an easy day trip. You can drive (but I heard it’s hard to find parking), take a taxi, or even take a bus, which is what we did. The view of the little towns and the sea along the way is already worth the trip. 

Don’t confuse it with the sea-front town of Èze-Bord-de-Mer, which is below Èze le Village, though if you don’t want to hike up!

Once in the village, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful stone houses, wrought iron signs and hanging lamps, century-old fountains, lovely squares, and colorful potted flowers. Shops and art galleries that dot the winding cobbled alleyways are simply delightful. There’s also Jardin d’Eze, a cactus and exotic plant garden, at the top of the village.

Lunch on the cliffside at Château Eza

If you’re there during lunch time, I highly recommend Château Eza, a cliffside hotel with a gorgeous restaurant and terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. A reservation is highly recommended to make sure you’ll get a table. We were seated at a balcony on a cliff with a sweeping view of the sea and the mountains. The food was amazing, but the view was even better. It’s easy to feel like a royal wandering around this charming chateau as it indeed used to be the winter getaway of the Swedish royal family.

To get there by bus from Nice, take bus #112 or #82. It takes about 30 minutes. From Monaco, take bus #112. It takes about 20 minutes. Have fun in Èze!