View of Chateau Eza from Le Jardin Exotique
We drove to France from Vistarenni on the Monday after our wedding. It was a hot sticky day and we stopped along the way to admire the stunning tuscan scenery and then as we closed in on Eze the beautiful rolling waves of the med. We passed through some beautiful places including San Remo and of course Monte Carlo. The trip from Radda-in-Chianti took about 4 1/2 hours in our trusty Fiat 500.
Christian on the steps up to our hotel room
Chateau Eza its a little tricky to find. You can only drive up to the hotel 1/2 way and the sign for the valet is small – easy to miss. In fact we did – twice! Once settled and after we had spent aeons unloading the car we made our way up the steep, steep cobbled streets of Eze to the hotel. Lucky for us the Valet took our bags – I swore I heard him cursing our name;)
Our welcome nibbles
On arrival we were greeted by the concierge and taken straight out onto the members balcony for champagne and an aperitif. It was unbelievable. The view from balcony was like heaven and I felt like I was floating on cloud nine. What a way to start a honeymoon. We filled in all our paperwork. chatted and supped champers until we were called to our room.
View from the members bar
Our room was up some more steep steps alongside reception. The room was classic in style – wooden panels, enormous bed and window views out to the med and Eze Bord-de-mer below. Out into the distance you can see the headland of Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu etc.
View from the top of Eze
Chateau Eza was the Sumer residence of Prince of Sweden until it was bought and transformed into a fabulous 10 room retreat.
Our room at Chateau Eza
Each room offers great views from lofty heights. If you can’t afford to stay at Chateau Eza then we would recommend a day trip if you are in the Villefrance area.
Me on the steps at Le Jardin Exotique
There is a stunning ‘Exotic Garden’ at the very top which houses elegant sculptures from Jean-Philippe Richard. The so called “Earth Goddesses”.
One of Jean-Philippe Richard’s “Earth Goddesses”
Shopping is also fabulous and I picked up a chic silk top/dress which has now hit my fashion fav’s pile.
Lunch on the beach at Eze (the best Caesar Salad in the World!)
There is also lots to do around Eze including the beaches of Villefrance & Beaulieu, a picnic at the hilltop village of Menton – overlooking the sea, shopping and eating in Nice and of course a visit to the many houses of the rich and famous.
Eze Bord-de-la-mer
We visited the Villa Ephrussi and enjoyed wiling away hours in its picturesque gardens with views on all side of the crystal clear sea. The gardens are all themed and are dominated by the  large formal French garden with an amazing ornamental pond, in sharp contrast to its exotic palm trees and clumps of succulent agaves.
There follows the rose garden where Béatrice Ephrussi grew almost 100 varieties of roses one of which is named after her and the Spanish, Florentine, Japanese, Exotic, Stone, Cevres and Provencal.
View of Villefranche from Villa Ephrussi
The Villa itself is also fabulous and houses the exceptional collection of artworks that Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild sought out from all over the world, transforming the Villa at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat into a collector’s paradise overflowing with a harmoniously elegant blend of rare porcelain, old master paintings and antique furniture. You will find Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, paintings and porcelain, Jacob furniture upholstered with Beauvais tapestry amongst a whole host of other treats all built around a Moroccan style courtyard. A real treat and perfect for a romantic day out.
The biggest reason for coming to this part of France for us was to visit Nellcote – the place the Rolling Stones stayed and recorded ‘Exile on Main Street’ whilst they were in exile from the UK taxman. You can see my post on our visit there here.
The stunning promenade at Villefranche
Villefrance and its surroundings is a holiday destination with some real gems for beaches, glorious food and the perfume of history and style permeating the air. Just don’t forget to bring your credit card.
Gypset Travellers 