Èze & Menton — Eagle's Nest and Lemon City

Èze — The Eagle's Nest

Èze is the most iconic mountain village of the Côte d'Azur: a medieval stone nest, 429 meters above the sea, so narrow and steep that no car can enter. The alleys are a labyrinth of artist studios, small hotels, and boutiques. The Jardin Exotique on the castle ruins is a masterpiece of garden art: cacti, agaves, and succulents against the panorama of the entire Côte d'Azur. Admission: 7€ — one of the best investments of the entire trip.

Friedrich Nietzsche often hiked the steep path from Èze-sur-Mer (by the sea) up to the village — the Sentier Nietzsche is now a challenging hiking trail (1.5 hours, 400 meters elevation). It is said that here he found the inspiration for "Thus Spoke Zarathustra".

Menton — The Lemon City at the Italian Border

Menton is the last city before Italy and has the warmest climate in France — lemons, oranges, and tropical plants grow here that otherwise only thrive in Sicily. The city is less glamorous than Nice or Cannes, but more authentic and quieter.

• Old Town (Vieille Ville): Pastel-colored Baroque facades, steep stairs, the Basilica of Saint-Michel. The most beautiful Baroque city on the Côte d'Azur.
• Jardins Biovès: Magnificent gardens with orange trees, sculptures, and the scent of lemons that defines Menton.
• Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival): In February, the gardens transform into a spectacle: giant sculptures made of lemons and oranges, parades, and fireworks. One of the most unusual festivals in Europe.
• Musée Jean Cocteau: The museum of filmmaker and poet Jean Cocteau, who loved Menton and decorated the wedding hall in the town hall with frescoes. Architect: Rudy Ricciotti (who also built the MuCEM in Marseille). Admission: 10€.
• Serre de la Madone: A botanical garden from the 1920s, created by Lawrence Johnston. Exotic plants from around the world in an enchanted atmosphere. Admission: 8€.