Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Middle Corniche:
The Moyenne Corniche is higher, quieter, and far more impress-
ive. It runs through Eze-le-Village and provides breathtaking views over the Mediter-
ranean, with several scenic pullouts. (The ones above Villefranche-sur-Mer are the best.)
High Corniche:
Napoleon's crowning road-construction achievement, the Grande
Corniche caps the cliffs with staggering views from almost 1,600 feet above the sea. It is
actually the Via Aurelia, used by the Romans to conquer the West.
Villas:
Driving from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Monaco, you'll come upon impressive
villas. A particularly grand entry leads to “La Leopolda,” the sprawling estate named for
previous owner King Leopold II of Belgium in the 1930s. Those driving up to the Middle
Corniche from Villefranche-sur-Mer can look down on this yellow mansion and its lush
garden,whichfillanentirehilltop.ThepropertywaslaterownedbytheAgnellifamily(of
Fiat fame and fortune), and then by the Safra family (Brazilian bankers). Its current value
is somewhere north of $500 million.
The Best Route:
For a
▲▲▲
route,
drivers
should take the Middle Corniche
from Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer to Eze-le-Village; from there, follow signs to the
Grande Corniche
and
La Turbie (La Trophée des Alpes)
, then finish by dropping down
into Monaco.
Buses
travel each route; the higher the Corniche, the less frequent the
buses (4/hour on Low, 12/day on Middle, and 5/day on High; get details at TIs, or
check
www.lignedazur.com
). There are no buses between Eze-le-Village and La Turbie
(45-minute walk), though buses do connect Nice and Monaco with La Turbie.
The following two sights—Eze-le-Village and the La Trophée des Alpes monument—are
listed in the order you'll reach them, traveling from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Monaco.
▲
Eze-le-Village
Floating highabovethesea,floweryandflawless Eze-le-Village (don'tconfuseitwiththe
seafront town of Eze-Bord-de-Mer) is entirely consumed by tourism. This
village d'art et
degastronomie
(asitcallsitself)nurturesperfumeoutlets,stylishboutiques,steepcobbled
lanes, and magnificent views (best from the terrace at Château Eza). Touristy as this place
certainly Eze, its stony state ofpreservation and magnificent hilltop setting over the Medi-
terraneanmaylureyouawayfromthebeaches.Day-trippingbybustoEze-le-Villagefrom
Nice, Monaco, or Villefranche-sur-Mer works well, provided you know the bus schedules
(ask at TIs or check
www.lignedazur.com
;
Villefranche-sur-Mer requires a transfer).
