Welcome to Eze Village


Visit of the Village
We are starting our trip at the Tourist Office. Before reaching the thick walls of the Sarrazin fortress, we are passing by the Frederick Nietzsche path. The famous philosopher climbed it up for the first time in 1883 and wrote one of the chapters of his most famous work: "thus spoke Zarathoustra".

We are walking through a double fortified gateway built at the end of 14th century, and only entrance to the village. Only the hinges are left. On our left handside we can see a loophole made in the 16th century. Both watchtowers are listed.

Last example of an old Piedmontese tradition, the facade of the Main Street is bringing us back to the 18th Italian century. A coating was protecting the wall form water. The drawing painted on it were an indication of the owners's real or alleged social status.

The parish church is bringing us back to the Age of Enlightenment. Built from 1764 to 1772, its plain facade with its bull's eye is contrasting with its richly decorated baroque interior and its unique nave. Reminding us the origins of Eze, Christian and Egyptian symbols combine. God is represented by the Sun, 18 times.

The famous actor and humorist Francis Blache is hurried in the Churchyard.

We are overlooking a Panorama imprenable du haut du Jardin Exotique. Created in 1949 by J. Gastaud, an agricultural engineer, it has hundreds of cactacea species most of them coming from South America.

Four hundred and twenty nine meters above sea level, the ruins of the castle are still crowning Eze, the eagles nest. It has never been a seigniorial residence but a fortress dismantled on the orders of king Louis XIV, in 1706.

The "Sainte Croix" chapel is the only medieval monument still intact. Built in the 14th century, it was the meeting place of the White Penitents brotherhood, who used to take all their decisions there. They were a non religious order, in charge of the free burials and prayers for the dead. Renovated in 1953, the chapel was decorated by Michel-Marie Poulain.

We are getting into legend through the Gate of the Moor that reminds us of the Sarrazin invasions. It is said to have let in the invaders to take Eze by surprise.

Next to it, the Château Eza is known under the name of "the castel of the Prince of Sweden" until 1976. It was built in the 1920 by Prince Guillaume of Sweden. His father, king Gustav V, stayed there very often.

The Planet square is showing the first item of comfort the village had: a fountain, installed by Mr Barlow, owner of the Riquier house, in 1930. The model came from Italy. The people in Eze had to wait until 1952 to have running water installed.

Among the many sculptured doors of the village, the Door of the Riquier must be the most remarkable. It is the entrance of the old residence of the Riquier. They were the first lords known and Eze was their most ancient fief outside Nice. Their domination lasted from the 13rd to the 16th century.

Eze becomes mythological with Château de la Chèvre d'0r, once seigniorial residence. It bears the name of this legendary animal that tried to lead careless travellers who were seeking after its treasure, out of their way in the mountains.