lsremington

Yes, we know the weather may not be the greatest.

That said, my family and I burn both ends of the candle day in and day out with jobs, two kids in school and all their extra-curricular activities. We purposefully looked for a place to use as a base that would force us to slow down and just enjoy each other's company. What we envision is day trips to more lively places in the area and returning in the evenings to enjoy a few quiet hours. We've reserved a 2-bedroom apartment at the Eza Vista for our entire stay. We have a 14-year-old son who is a Latin scholar and very much interested in all things Roman and a 4-year-old daughter who simply enjoys being outside. To make things more interesting, our 4yo daughter has celiac disease, which means she cannot consume gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats or derivatives thereof).

What would be good day trips? Best means of transportation? We were thinking trains and buses. We're all physically fit and walking is of no concern. What about Christmas? Any festivals? Church services?

This is our first trip to France and I can't really get a good feel for what to do and where to go by reading book after travel book. Thanks!!

greg

Looks like Eze Vista is in Eze Village (high up on a cliff.)

Getting in/out of Eze Village is not that convenient. It will certainly force you to slow down.

For NICE <-> EZE Vilage, you can take bus #82 or #112 from Nice's Gare Routière) for €1 one way. On this section, both Ligne d'Azur and TAM accept a Ligne d'Azur ticket. You can also pay cash to the driver.

- Ligne d'Azur #82 (Gare Routière - Plateau de la Justice) http://www.lignedazur.com/horaires_l...asp?rub_code=6

or

- TAM #112 (Nice-Beausoleil) http://www.cg06.fr/fr/servir-les-hab...s-et-horaires/

EZE village <-> Monaco. TAM bus #112 serves 6 times a day. It is also €1 one way, but a Ligne d'Azur ticket is not valid. Pay the driver when you get on.

EZE Village <-> EZE Gare SNCF (the "other" EZE by ocean is another place to catch train). #83 runs about 1/hr http://www.lignedazur.com/horaires_l...0&lign_id=1077

You cannot count on taxis to be available at the Eze Village taxi stop when you need it. It is easier to find a taxi in Monaco or Nice and get back to Eze Village if you get caught between or after the bus operating hours.

Here is the bus route map for Ligne d'Azur.
http://www.lignedazur.com/ftp/FR_plan/Nice%20CANCA.pdf

zeppole

If you are willing to rent a car, you have lots of opportunities for day trips into Italy, although the days are short, climbing stairs is easier in cooler weather. I would research the possibilities of visiting Apricale (originally a Roman settlement), Bussana Vechhia for the wow factor, and for your son, the town of Ventimiglia is not scenic, but it has a rich Roman history.

zeppole

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ca...r_(Ventimiglia)

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/artic...a-riviera.html

http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=420

traveller1959

Sorry to say that, but Eze is a really strange place to stay.

Southern France has a tremendously rich Roman heritage - even better than Rome - but most sites are pretty far from Eze.

The only impressive landmark which is close to Eze is La Turbie (in fact, very close, and spectacular). Along the Cote d'Azur, Frejus has some impressive ruins, including the remains of an amphitheater and an aquaeduct.

The really gorgeous Roman ruins (must-sees, IMO) are in Nimes, Arles, Pont du Gard, Vaison-la-Romaine, Orange, Glanum and Les Antiques near St. Remy. These sites are, however, way too far from Eze which is on the eastern fringe of the Cote d'Azur. If you stayed more central on the Cote (e.g. near Frejus), you would at least be able to do a daytrip to the Provencal Roman sites.

Anyway, what do you want to do in Eze? It is a small village and a tourist trap and I do not spend more than 10 minutes there when I am in the area.

The celiac disease won't be a problem if you cook for yourself. French supermarkets have wide selections of gluten-free food.

tejana

Eze is a beautiful place to visit. Although I personally wouldn't use it as a base for any length of time, I'm sure you will find that the amazing views of the coast from such a high perch will be spectacular and memorable, even in winter. I have to agree with traveller about the ruins, though - the best Roman ruins are in Provence, several hours away (Nimes is a particular favorite of ours - we liked it much better than Arles.) That said, no matter where you stay, I would highly recommend renting a car for day tripping in that area, so that you are more in control of your own schedule and touring decisions. The roads are good and, except for portions of the Grand Corniche between Nice and Monaco, the driving is not too terrifying.

kappa1

Eza Vista seems outside "Eagle's Nest" Eze Village, perhaps about 500 meters or less from Eze-Village bus stop but at about the same altitude. I must have passed by it when I hiked from la Turbie to Eze-Village a couple of years ago.

kappa1

> the weather may not be the greatest.

It could be. You may be lucky. In January 2008, I stayed in Nice for 3 full days and had a sunny and warm (for the time) days. We walked with light jacket all over by the sea, Villefranche-sur-mer, Beaulieu-S.M., Villa Ritschild, along the beach. We visited Eze-Village too (I love being at the top of the village, the tropical garden), sunny, very few people, many shops might have been closed. Much less tourist trap (that above poster says) feel to it. + Admission to the garden was 1/2 because of the low season.

LarryJ

I spend several weeks each year on the Cote d'Azur and I can't think of a worse place to base than Eze Village or vicinity. It is just one large souvenir shop. Although high up the mountain above the sea you can only see the sea if you buy a ticket to go into the "Exotic Garden". I would base at Nice and take advantage of the great public transportation (buses 1 Euro) and trains that go up and down the coast. In less than 1 hour the trains will get you from Nice to Cannes or Nice to Vintimiglia, Italy. Nice is very centrally located on the Riviera and you will find much more to do there than Eze Village.

Larry J

zeppole

I believe the original poster has already stated they deliberately chose the location in order to lay back -- not do a lot of urban rushing about.

Speaking purely as a former Californian and now Italian Riviera resident, Eze was the ONLY town on the French coast that has remotely looked appealing to me on my drives to Nice to do errands. A great deal of the rest of the French coast is over developed, its history destroyed, and its filled with sterile condos. I'm sorry to hear it's is very touristy and a "souvenir shop" (I can understand why), but in December with kids it may be less of a problem.

Nice is probably exactly the kind of city the OP is looking to get away from for this trip with the family.

lsremington

Thanks for your input, everyone. Perhaps in retrospect, Eze isn't the ideal location for a winter trip. However, my husband made all the arrangements by himself as a surprise, so we're going to go and have a great time! Now to start panicking about what to pack ...

iris1745

Hi; We have been to Eze a few times and have stayed at the 'chateau'. We love Eze and find it easy to reach other interesting places. If we had time we would go back. Perhaps for my 8oth birthday. It's a love/hate relationship with this village. All some people see is the commercial aspects of Eze. Look deeper and see the history and enjoy. Richard

Sooosally

I was in this area during the holidays one year. The weather wasn't bad. The sun shone everyday. I did wear a rain coat with a liner at times. We did go to Eze. I hear people here say it's a tourist trap. I thought it was very cute. It was not crowded when we were there. I probably wouldn't plan to stay there, but you have your reasons for doing so. I would think the best thing to do would be have a rental car. We stayed in Nice and used the train and buses. I don't think the train was convenient to Eze. We took the bus there. I suppose you can rely on the bus system though if you don't want a car.

Enjoy your trip! It's a beautiful area!