Château Eza

The Côte d'Azur is unfamiliar to no one — it is arguably the most heavily-travelled destination in Europe, positively infested with tourists, with one jewel-encrusted hotel palace after another. The sheer popularity of this place can be overwhelming, and it is easy to feel like there are no surprises left. Thus the appeal of Château Eza.

The medieval village of Eze sits 400 meters above the Mediterranean, on the Moyenne Corniche, or middle road, a Roman roadway that connects Monte Carlo and Nice. From here, obviously, it is possible to truly enjoy the Côte d'Azur, while keeping the crowd at arm's length.

The remoteness is probably what appealed to Sweden's Prince William; the chateau was once property of the Royal Family, and William spent thirty years here, pursuing his writing career. It's still quiet here, an ideal place to get some writing done, though the decor is distinctly un-Scandinavian, with luxe fabrics and French antique furnishings.

The real story here is the view. Some less fortunate rooms face the mountains, but the better ones have terraces or balconies overlooking the Mediterranean, an unforgettable vista — especially compared with the unlucky beachfront hotels. The restaurant makes the most of the surroundings, with panoramic views through the windows and (naturally) outdoor dining, on the terrace.

Words (and even photos) fail to describe how the Eze experience differs from the stereotypical Riviera holiday, and the best we can do is recommend that you see for yourself. With just ten rooms, this place fills up quickly; but that's the price you have to pay to be, quitel literally, above it all.



How to Get There

Chateau Eza is approximately a 30 minute drive from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE).