An exceptional botanical garden, a superb collection of cacti and succulents, breathtaking panoramic views… what more could you ask for?
It’s a perfect harmony of natural beauty, exotic biodiversity and the region’s historic charm.
Here are our practical tips for planning your visit to the Jardin Exotique d’Èze
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Jardin Exotique d’Èze worthwhile?
Yes, this garden is well worth a visit.
It’s a unique and fascinating place, combining a historic village, a magnificent collection of succulents and breathtaking views towards the sea and mountains.
It’s a must-see in the village of Èze and one of the most beautiful gardens on the Côte d’Azur.
What you can see
Succulent plants
The southern part of the garden is home to dozens of species of succulents and xerophytes from every continent. This area is sheltered from northerly winds and enjoys full sunshine. You’ll need to plant drought-resistant plants such as cacti, agaves and aloes…
We love cacti and other succulents. So we loved this section, especially in combination with the view.
You can find the list of plant species on the official website here.
A unique location
The advantage of this garden is its unique location. The mix of history and nature is fascinating, and you won’t find another place like it!
The garden stands on the ruins of a castle at an altitude of 429m.
After the Second World War, the garden was the brainchild of André Gianton, the mayor at the time, with the help of Jean Gastaud, father of Monaco’s Exotic Garden. And it was no mean feat to get the bags of earth up to the ruins!
Panorama towards the sea
From most of the paths in the garden, you have exceptional views out to sea, with the rooftops of the village below.
At the very top, a panoramic table gives you a better idea of where you are: Èze by the sea, the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula and Pointe Saint-Hospice…
The ruins of the castle
Only a few sections of the fortress walls remain.
The château was built in the 12th century by the d’Èze family. But in 1706, the War of the Spanish Succession was raging. And Louis XIV ordered the destruction of the castle, which was strategically located in the direction of Monaco.
But you can imagine how imposing it must have looked from the sea, standing on this rocky outcrop.
Mountain view and viaduct
From the ruins, you can also enjoy views inland.
Of particular note is the Eze viaduct, also known as Pont du Diable.
It spans the ravine at a height of 80m and was built between 1911 and 1914.
A legend surrounds the bridge’s construction: that of a peasant who made a deal with the devil: a bridge in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross it. We’ll let you discover the end on one of the garden’s explanatory panels!
Numerous sculptures
The garden is also rich in sculptures placed between the plants.
Some are made of wood, others of bronze. These are Déesses de terre, by Jean-Philippe Richard.
In our opinion, they add an even more soothing touch to the garden.
Contemplative zone
You can also go down to the north side of the garden to discover Mediterranean plants, as this area has more shade and humidity.
We particularly enjoyed sitting in the large armchairs facing the sea, with the sound of the water. A contemplative, timeless moment.
“Waterfalls
On the map, you’ll also see the word waterfall. Don’t expect a huge flood of water. It’s just a trickle of water running through the rock.
View of Èze beach
From this side of the garden, there’s a beautiful view of the beach at Èze.
If you like peaceful surroundings, we recommend a detour here after your tour of the trip. We loved this pebble beach with its azure water. See our article.
Exotic garden in Èze: access
Where to find the Èze garden
- The village of Èze lies between Nice and Monaco
- Nice to Èze = 30 min drive
- Monaco to Èze = 20 minutes
- Cannes to Èze = 1h
- Menton to Èze = 30 minutes
- The church stands at the top of the village
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
Access by car and parking
The easiest way to reach the village is by car.
There’s an underground parking lot at the foot of the village, and another further on with a shuttle bus.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Car-free access
Alternatively, you can take the bus from Nice or the Èze train station.
There are also organized tours that include the village:
- From Nice, Cannes or Monaco: discover the village of Èze, Antibes, Cannes, Sain-Paul-de-Vence and Monte-Carlo – see program and availability
- From Nice, visit Èze, Monaco and Antibes – see program and availability
Visiting difficulties
The village and garden are not easy to visit.
First you have to climb to the very top of the village, with a mixture of slopes and steps, to reach the entrance to the garden.
Then the garden itself slopes steeply, right down to the west façade. There are plenty of stairs to explore.
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice
Visit the garden at Èze: practical tips
Schedules and prices
- Price: 7 euros for adults (4 euros for teenagers and free for children under 12)
- open at least from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in summer
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 30min to 1h depending on your interest.
If you arrive during the day, take a ticket from one of the kiosks in the village to avoid queuing at the entrance to the garden.
Best moment
To make the most of the site and admire the views in peace and quiet, we advise you to come as soon as the garden opens in the morning.
Direction of visit
Depending on the map, you’ll find signs with different numbers that can help you choose a path. But, unfortunately, it’s not always clear which way to go to find the next one… Take the time to get lost and take in all the sights.
Visiting with children
We didn’t see any dedicated children’s program in the garden.
But discovering the different shapes of cactus should amuse them.
Eating out
There are no restaurants in the garden, but there are several options in the village.
The village is renowned for its gourmet cuisine:
- Restaurant La Chèvre d’Or (2 stars)
- Restaurant Château Eza (1 star)
But also more accessible restaurants: Les Remparts, le café du jardin…
And at the bottom of the village, you’ll find other nice options like the Restaurant L’Echoppe Provençale.
Hotels
The two hotels inside the medieval village are luxury establishments. But they’re worth the detour.
A night in this village offers a unique experience, like a journey back in time with unforgettable views.
Walking around the village at night is a privilege. What if walls could talk?
You have:
- Hotel Chateau Eza – see photos andavailability
- Hotel La Chèvre d’Or – see photos and availability
Otherwise, two towns are close by and offer great options for a stay:
- The great city of Nice, a 30-minute drive away – see our selection of the best hotels
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a peaceful town 15 minutes away (hotel selection coming soon)
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
