From Nice to Eze

[JT888]

What are the options to get from Nice to Eze? Train and bus? Has anyone taken cabs or private car service and how much did it cost? Also, how long does it take to walk from the bottom to the top of the Eze village to see the view? How difficult is it for young kids and senior people? Is there any sitting area at the bottom of the hill to wait if the senior people are not able to make it to the top? Thanks.  

[Hlitner]

All good questions.  The walk from Eze Bord sur Mer up to Eze Village is challenging for most folks unless they are used to hiking and long walks.  Under ideal conditions it takes 45-60 min but is certainly not an easy stroll.  Some call the trail the Nietzsche Path.   Th

 

As far as transportation options from Nice (we are talking the city, not the port of Villefranche) the only way to get directly to the village is via bus or car.  The nearest train station is located at Eze Bord sur Mer (where the hiking train starts).  If you take the train to this stop there is a public bus (#83) that runs to the village, but the schedule does not usually coincide with the trains.  The other option is to take either the #82 or #112 bus from Nice, but we are talking about a bus that runs about once an hour.  Over the decades we have stopped at Eze Village many times, but only once have used the public bus.  Our preferred method of transportation is to simply rent a car which then gives us ease and flexibility to drive to places like Eze, St Paul de Vence, Antibes, etc.    The problem with the buses in this region are the frequency...which leaves much to be desired and requires planning and adapting your schedule to the darn bus.  The one bus line that does run often (and reliably) is the #100 which goes between Nice and Monte Carlo.  But this bus uses the lower road (the one that goes right by Eze Bord sur Mer) and will not get you to Eze Village unless you do that tough hike or transfer to the #83 bus.

 

Here is a link to the regional bus company and their timetables.  It can be a bit complicated to use, but is the best source of real bus schedules:

https://www.lignesdazur.com/en

 

Searching by bus number (which is why I listed the numbers) is the easiest method.  And if anyone is interested in the bus from Nice to St Paul de Vence (a place we like more then Eze) it would be the #400 bus.  This particular bus line can become full in which case the driver will simply pass by the stops in places like Cagnes sur Mer.  So if using the #400 it is best to board it at one of its early stops in Nice.

 

Hank

 

[marazul]

10 hours ago, JT888 said:

What are the options to get from Nice to Eze? Train and bus? Has anyone taken cabs or private car service and how much did it cost? Also, how long does it take to walk from the bottom to the top of the Eze village to see the view? How difficult is it for young kids and senior people? Is there any sitting area at the bottom of the hill to wait if the senior people are not able to make it to the top? Thanks.  

 

Hank answered the question of walking from Eze-sur-Mer (where the train stops) up to Eze Village where you want to go sightseeing.  The train runs at sea level along the Basse Corniche road.  Eze Village is located half way up the cliff along the Moyenne Corniche road.  Buses, cars, etc, take you to a parking area just at the base of Eze Village and you simply walk up a short distance to the entrance. 

 

I think your question referred to walking from the entrance to Eze Village up to the Botanical garden at the top of the village.  The walk is not difficult.  It is inclined and there are steps, but it is not really steep.  You follow the brick path through the streets.  The entrance to the Botanical Gardens is by an open garden where there is a restaurant (Le Nid d'Aigle - Eagle's Nest).  The path through the garden is steeper, but not terribly so.  If someone doesn't want to do it, they can wait in that area.  As for how long it takes, you can go from the entrance to the Nid d'Aigle in 15 minutes, but you will probably stop in a lot of places for shops, pictures, etc and it will take you a lot longer than that. 

 

There are many youtube clips showing a walk through the village.  For example:

 

Or this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFF8WRorzaM

 

And here is the walk from Eze-sur-Mer to Eze Village that Hank described:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLscSJUVYvY

 

And the best way to go is by car.  Check www.friend-in-france.com for prices. There are many other car services and private tours that will get you there.  You don't really need a guide in the village.  Just enjoy the place and the views.

 

Edited January 20, 2019 by marazul

[JT888]

Thank you very much for the detailed information. 

[jakebloke]

One of the ports on my cruise this July is Villefranche.  I do want to see Nice and I do want to see Eze.  After doing quite a bit of research, I’m thinking of taking an Uber as soon as we get off the ship (port as I know its a tender port) to Eze and then if timing works out taking the Bus back from Eze Village to Nice or if the timing isn’t great walking the trail all the way down and catching the train back to Nice.  Has anyone done this or something similar?  

[marazul]

It sounds like a plan.  A good hour in Eze is all you need.  So, if you have a good long time in port you should be able to do what you want.  Just make sure you get the bus schedule or ask as soon as you get to Eze so you don't have to wait too much time.

[Texed]

On 1/19/2019 at 11:51 PM, JT888 said:

What are the options to get from Nice to Eze?  Has anyone taken cabs or private car service and how much did it cost?  Thanks.  

 

If you are pressed for time, you might hire a private driver/guide.  We used www. kultours.fr

 

We really enjoyed having a guide with us to have commentary as we toured.  😊