Carnaval de Nice
The 'Carnaval de Nice' almost rivals Rio with its extravagant and colourful parades down the Promenade des Anglais.

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler

© Ali Shayler
An incredible little village perched by the sea
A wonderful medieval village, Eze is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Riviera with a ruined 12th century castle at its pinnacle. It's actually split into two very distinct areas - Eze-Sur-Mer and Eze Village.
Eze is easily the most dramatic of the medieval hilltop towns. Perched a dizzying 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean between Cap d'Ail and Cap Ferrat, Eze looks precariously balanced on its rocky eagle's nest.
Eze Village is the higher part, whereas Eze-Sur-Mer is down on the coast. If you want to head to the beach then you can take a direct train from Nice to Eze-Sur-Mer; to get to Eze Village you can either get a bus from Nice, take one of the (infrequent) bus No. 83 services from Eze sur Mer, or hike up (about one strenuous hour) from the train station.
Streets are narrow and cobbled, purple bougainvillea cascades from turrets and towers, old bells and metal signs hang above heavy wooden doors and every now and then you get a glimpse of bright blue sea in between the rough stone walls. Walt Disney was a regular visitor to Eze Village and when you see the fairytale architecture you’ll understand where his inspiration came from.
The 'Carnaval de Nice' almost rivals Rio with its extravagant and colourful parades down the Promenade des Anglais.
The start of spring is celebrated every Sunday in May with a grand celebration in the Jardins de Cimiez.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Nice, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
This eagle’s nest is a true medieval stronghold, perched over 400m above sea level on a rocky pinnacle with views for miles along the coastline. Evidence of inhabitants date back to 2,000BC, it has been populated by the Romans, the ancient Greeks and the Moors before falling into the hands of the Dukes of Savoy in the 14th century.
These days Eze is a much calmer place and its fortified walls are home to sculpture gardens, art galleries, tea rooms, gift shops and boutiques. There is a Fragonard perfume factory at the entrance to the village and lots of places selling locally made soaps, glassware, jewellery, etc.
Eze Village is one of the most visited towns on the Riviera and is a tourist attraction in itself.
There's also the famed Exotic Gardens by the ruined castle, where you can grab the best view of the cliffs and coast among the ornamental pools, statues and crazy cacti. The Fragonard perfume factory is also open to visitors, although it can get a bit crowded when the groups come through.
Eze's exotic gardens were created after the Second World War, in the ruins of Eze castle. Located on steep terrain, it boasts wonderful panoramic views of the sea, the Esterel mountains and the Saint-Tropez gulf.
Free guided tours of a historic perfume factory in the medieval village of Eze.
This factory for perfume, soap and cosmetics, has very modern laboratories and workshops. Discover the secrets of manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics.
Eze has only one beach but it’s a lovely one in a calm bay which is great for swimming.
The beach itself is a long thin ribbon of fine pebbles that curve around the bay, meaning that you're never a long way from the water - good for keeping an eye on children.
There is a watersports club that offers kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving and sailing. Be aware that you can't jetski here as it's considered too noisy.
The two restaurants serve fresh seafood and local dishes as well as offering sun loungers and parasols for hire. Have a look at our beaches guide to find out more about beaches in Eze and the surrounding area.
Eze-Sur-Mer has only one beach but it’s a lovely one; great for swimming as the water comes very high up the beach and it's in a calm bay.
This is a small and secluded beach with two excellent restaurants and safe swimming. Plage Mala is a little haven.
Plage de la Petite Afrique is, in our humble opinion, one of the best beaches on the French Riviera, surrounded by stunning scenery with plenty of facilities.
Located just beneath Restaurant La Pinede along the Sentier Littoral, Plage Gramaglia is more a series of rocky coves than a traditional beach.
Plage des Fourmis is the long stretch of sand that runs along the main bus route; backed by a shady promenade lined with palm trees and tropical plants, the beach is very easy to find.
Plage Marquet is the most easterly of the Cap d’Ail beaches and is right on the border with Monaco.
The small village of Eze is bursting at the seams with restaurants and you won't go far wrong just by wandering round and seeing where takes your fancy; the restaurants here serve great local specialities made from fresh produce.
Eze-Sur-Mer has less to choose from but there is real quality here too.
This gourmet restaurant offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean and gained two Michelin stars in 2011.
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
The Cap Estel gourmet restaurant or "La Table de Patrick Raingeard" as it is known has one Michelin star.
Château Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving à la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
Peace and tranquillity on this private beach that is hidden away in an intimate cove. You have to walk a bit to get to this beach club, but the welcome and calm environment is well worth the effort.
Being situated in the small and picturesque village of Eze, the Anjuna Plage is a fashionable restaurant that should not be missed during the summer holidays.
Reopened in December 2014 and restored to its original elegance with a touch of modern glamour this is 'must see' building as well as fantastic entertainment venue.
In a simple and relaxed atmosphere, La Cave Nature is a place of tasting organic wines and specialities of the house such as sandwiches, Mediterranean products freshly prepared, and tastings of cheeses and Italian delicatessen.
In a relaxed family atmosphere, the restaurant Cosmo offers a variety of traditional, Mediterranean and French cuisine.
Located behind the Acropolis, the AMF centre is one of the largest bowling alleys in France.
Ma Nolan’s, Nice Port is designed to be a warm, welcoming and atmospheric venue, the perfect place to eat, drink and party.
The wine cellar specialises in rare wines and old vintages while the restaurant sits 45 people.
Eze-sur-Mer is a quiet residential area with a long stretch of pebble beach and clear calm waters where you can try a number of water sports. It has a couple of nice café bars (try La Bananerie for fresh smoothies) but other than the beach there isn’t really a lot to see or do, head up to Eze Village to make the most of your visit.
You can easily lose track of time in Eze Village; there are countless gift shops, art galleries, boutiques, delicatessens and more to poke about in.
Eze is also the starting point for a number of fantastic hikes, such as the climb up to Mont Bastide or the traverse across to Beaulieu-Sur-Mer. There is also a hiking path that links Eze Village and Eze-Sur-Mer, so you can work up a sweat before cooling off in the sea. The path is referred to as Nietzsche's Trail, because the German philosopher walked it each day when he lived in Eze. Be aware that this is a very steep trail: strenuous and hot going up but also surprisingly tough on the joints going down. You need to be relatively fit- take water and shoes with some grip.
Check our hiking guide and hiking routes for suggested itineraries.
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
This boat trip departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer and can run for 2, 3 or 4 hours - so you can choose whether you want a quick spin along the coast or a more extended trip.
Departing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, this fantastic boat trip lets you observe some of the most beautiful marine wildlife that live within the Mediterranean.
Based in Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, this company can offer fishing trips from Beaulieu and also Nice, Cannes and Monaco out into the Mediterranean for all levels of fisher, from complete beginner to expert. They are also family friendly so those who would like an outing with their children can join one of their trips.
This is a four hour coastal trip departing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to explore the gems of the Cote d'Azur with opportunities to swim and snorkel in the glistening Mediterranean.
Fly at 50 metres above the sea by yourself or with friends security attached, enjoy a spectacular view of the gorgeous Baie des Anges, mountains and surroundings.
Whichever excursion you choose, you will be closer to discovering the many secrets of the underwater world.
Nice Diving unveils to its clients the underwater marvels of the Mediterranean ocean along the shores of the Cote d'Azur.
Rowing, power boating and sailing. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, whether you prefer a leisure or competitive approach, the club offers its resources, its equipment, its fleet (except for power boating).
Located in the harbour of Nice this diving school enables beginners, intermediates and confirmed divers to explore 25 diving sites.
Enjoy the lovely landscaped gardens with a heated outdoor pool and views over the Mediterranean coast at this great villa. The private villa sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms and has a spacious living area which is full equipped and a barbeque out on the terrace. Dinner can be provided as an optional extra.
For rent in Nice Mont-Boron, on the heights, a villa of about 200 m², benefiting from a nice sea view with terraces and garden.
Set on the hillside of Nice, overhanging the Méditerranean sea and located into the most beautiful residential quarter of the town, this 400m2 villa is planted in a 3000 m2 enclosed garden and surrounded by a natural parc.
On the heights of Nice, beautiful stone house of around 500m² with swimming pool benefiting from a beautiful hills view.
Set on the hillside of Nice, overhanging the Méditerranean sea and located into the most beautiful residential quarter of the town, this 400m2 villa is planted in a 3000 m2 enclosed garden and surrounded by a natural parc.
Villefranche-sur-mer, for rent, nice 2 bedroom duplex apartment of 85 m² floor space located on the heights of Villefranche with panoramic sea view.
Enjoy the lovely landscaped gardens with a heated outdoor pool and views over the Mediterranean coast at this great villa. The private villa sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms and has a spacious living area which is full equipped and a barbeque out on the terrace. Dinner can be provided as an optional extra.
On the heights of Nice, beautiful stone house of around 500m² with swimming pool benefiting from a beautiful hills view.
In a prestigious residence with swimming pool and park beautiful duplex apartment of about 140m2 profiting from terraces and from a little private garden.
Beautiful and bright 40m² apartment with a modern decor close to shops , beach and restaurants.
As you’re walking around the village you may notice some doors with names such as “Medieval Suite”; this is because the Chateau de la Chevre d'Or has rooms throughout the town, tucked away amongst the ancient houses.
It's a five-star hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant and fabulous outdoor swimming pool - very popular with honeymooners. The only other hotel in the old town in Chateau Eza, also five-star with a very good reputation and an excellent Michelin starred restaurant.
There are also a number of very nice B&B's just outside the village in the surrounding hills.
Boasting remarkable sea views of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this luxurious hotel is listed among the 500 World's Best Hotels.
Located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, this contemporary hotel features a casino, an indoor & outdoor pool and spa facilities.
The 5-star Luxury Boscolo Exedra Nice is located in the centre of Nice, a few minutes from the old town, the boutiques of Place Masséna, the famous Promenade Des Anglais and the Conference Center.
Situated on its own two-hectare peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel has wonderful panoramic views. With only 28 rooms spread over four separate locations, it is a very private and luxurious place to stay.
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
Classic French opulence with Mediterranean charm, all nestled between the mountains and the blue waters of the Riviera.
You can get to Eze-Sur-Mer by train (direction Vintimille) or on the no.100 bus, to go directly to Eze Village take the 82 bus from Nice Vauban.
From the airport to the city centre, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
Find out all about what is happening in Nice and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, fabulous beaches, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in this cosmopolitan city.
See allLatest News & ReviewsYou will not be short of entertainment in this beautiful French Riviera town throughout the year. The most popular public events take place along the Promenade des Anglais, including the Carnival in February, the Bastille celebrations in July and the Nice marathon in November. There are also plenty of live music and cultural festivals.
See allUpcoming Events