This trip covers the coast road between Nice and the Italian border along the Three Corniches - three parallel roads at different elevations above the Mediterranean. Èze is a medieval village perched on a rock outcrop with sea views from its summit, while Menton, right on the Italian border, has a mild microclimate known for lemon growing and a more Italianate old town than the rest of the Riviera.
The Alpes-Maritimes coast east of Nice offers three parallel cliff roads — the Corniche Inférieure (D6098, at sea level), the Moyenne Corniche (D6007), and the Grande Corniche (D2564, at approximately 500 metres altitude) — collectively known as the Trois Corniches. A day trip following this corridor from Nice to Menton via the perched village of Èze combines spectacular maritime scenery, medieval hilltop architecture, and the luminous Italianate old town of Menton near the Italian border.
Èze Village — distinct from Èze-sur-Mer on the coast below — sits at 427 metres on the Moyenne Corniche, 12 kilometres east of Nice. Bus 112 from the Nice Promenade des Anglais stop reaches Èze-Village in approximately 45 minutes (€1.50 / approximately USD 1.65). The village is a medieval pedestrian labyrinth in pale stone ending at the Jardin Exotique d'Èze, a cactus garden at the very summit with panoramic views stretching from Monaco to the Italian coast. Admission to the garden is around €7 / approximately USD 7.60.
From Èze, the connecting Bus 100 descends the Corniche Inférieure to Monaco (15 minutes) and continues to Menton (approximately 1 hour total from Èze). Alternatively, the train from Eze-sur-Mer station reaches Menton in 20 minutes. Menton's old town, the Vieille Ville, is a pastel pink-and-yellow Baroque townscape climbing a hilltop above the port, architecturally more Italian than French in character. The Basilique Saint-Michel Archange on the parvis commands the terrace above the port. The Musée Jean Cocteau Collection Séverin Wunderman on the seafront at Quai de Monléon (admission around €10) holds the world's largest collection of works by artist and polymath Jean Cocteau, who was closely associated with Menton.
Menton is also renowned for its citrus — lemon trees line its promenades and the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) in February fills the streets with extravagant sculptures constructed from local lemons and oranges. The Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh and the Jardin de la Serre de la Madone are two exceptional botanical gardens in the town. Combining Èze (2 hours) and Menton (3–4 hours) fills a full and varied day from Nice using public transport throughout.
| Distance | Èze: 12km from Nice; Menton: 35km from Nice |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 45 min bus to Èze (Bus 112 from Nice); 30 min train to Menton from Nice |
| Getting there | Bus 112 from Nice to Èze-Village (45 min; €1.50 / approx USD 1.65); then Bus 100 coast road to Menton (1h; €1.50 / approx USD 1.65) with sea views |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Village d'Èze, 06360 Èze, France |
How to get there
- Bus 112 Nice to Èze-Village (45 min; €1.50 / approx USD 1.65)
- Train Nice to Menton (30 min; €3.80 / approx USD 4.15)
- Car via Moyenne Corniche (D6007) — 45 min to Menton with stopping
Location
Village d'Èze, 06360 Èze, France
43.7268, 7.3627 View on map
Highlights
- Jardin Exotique d'Èze — a dramatic cactus garden at 427m with views from Monaco to the Italian Riviera
- Èze Village — a near-intact medieval perched village of pale stone on the Moyenne Corniche
- Menton Vieille Ville — Baroque pastel townscape climbing to the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange
- Musée Jean Cocteau Collection Séverin Wunderman — the world's largest Cocteau collection on Menton's seafront
- Corniche Inférieure sea views — Bus 100 hugs the coast between Cap-d'Ail, Monaco, and Menton
Tips for visiting
- Bus 112 to Èze-Village departs from the Nice Promenade des Anglais stop; first-morning buses are rarely full and avoid midday heat on the climb
- Wear comfortable walking shoes in Èze — the village streets are steep cobbles with no vehicle access
- Bus 100 on the Corniche Inférieure connects Èze-sur-Mer to Menton at €1.50 per journey and passes through Monaco — validate the ticket on board
- Menton's Vieille Ville climbs steeply; take the lift from port-level streets to the Basilique Saint-Michel parvis to save effort
- The Fête du Citron runs for two weeks in February — book accommodation in Nice months in advance if planning to attend
- The Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh in Menton is run by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle and is less visited than the old town despite being exceptional
When to visit
Year-round, but October to May avoids the intense summer heat on the Moyenne Corniche and in the perched village. February brings the Menton Lemon Festival. Spring (March–May) offers comfortable temperatures, flowering botanical gardens, and manageable crowds.
Accessibility
Èze Village has very steep cobbled lanes with no vehicle access and is not accessible for wheelchair users; the Jardin Exotique also involves stairs. Menton's seafront promenade is flat and accessible. The Vieille Ville above involves significant steps, though a lift from the port area reaches the upper parvis. The Musée Jean Cocteau is accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Èze Village the same as Èze-sur-Mer?
No. Èze-sur-Mer is the coastal resort at sea level with the train station and a beach. Èze Village is the medieval perched village 427 metres above, reached by Bus 112 from Nice or a steep walking path from the coast.
How long should visitors allow for Èze Village?
One to two hours is enough to walk the lanes, visit the Jardin Exotique, and take in the panoramic views. A handful of restaurants and artisan shops make an extended morning visit pleasant.
What is the Moyenne Corniche and how does it compare to the other roads?
The Moyenne Corniche (D6007) is the middle of three cliff roads between Nice and Menton. The Grande Corniche higher up passes Roman ruins at La Turbie but has no public transport. The Corniche Inférieure at sea level is served by Bus 100 and offers direct sea views.
Is Menton worth visiting if already planning to see Monaco?
Yes. Monaco and Menton are quite different in character — Monaco is modern and opulent while Menton has a quieter, more Italian atmosphere with notable botanical gardens and the Cocteau museum. Combining both and Èze in one day is feasible by public transport.
What botanical gardens are in Menton?
Menton has several exceptional gardens: Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh (run by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle), Jardin de la Serre de la Madone, and Jardin Fontana Rosa with its ceramic tilework.