Èze and Monaco: A Tale of Two Cities - Medieval Mountain Village Meets Luxurious Kingdom

🌊 Located on the French Riviera, Èze and Monaco are two contrasting destinations just 15 kilometers apart, making them perfect for a one-day trip. Èze is a cliffside village surrounded by cacti and ancient castles, while Monaco is a glamorous, pocket-sized kingdom. 🚌 Transportation Guide Nice → Èze: Bus 82/602: From Nice's Vauban Bus Station to Èze Village, costing €1.7. Buses are infrequent, running approximately once an hour. Train: Nice to Èze-sur-Mer train station. However, the train station requires a one-hour uphill walk to the village, so buses are recommended for direct access. Èze → Monaco: Bus 602, costing €2.1. Tickets can be purchased in advance via the Zou! App, with QR code scanning upon boarding. Buses are infrequent, running approximately once every two hours. Monaco → Nice: TER train, ticket price €5.9. 🌿 Èze: A Medieval Cliffside Gem 📍 Must-Visit Attractions Èze Exotic Garden (Jardin Exotique d’Èze): Highlights: A 360° panoramic view of the Mediterranean, featuring giant cacti intertwined with castle ruins. Nietzsche Path (Chemin de Nietzsche): A scenic mountain trail inspired by philosopher Nietzsche, connecting the base of Èze Village to the Exotic Garden at the summit. The hike takes about an hour and offers stunning views, though it’s steep—recommended for descending. Old Town Art Alley: Cobblestone streets lined with galleries, artisan shops, and the Fragonard Perfume Museum, which offers free entry. 👑 Monaco: The Luxurious Kingdom 📍 Must-Visit Attractions Monte Carlo Casino (Casino de Monte-Carlo): Featured in James Bond films, entry requires a passport. The casino area is free to visit, while the gambling section requires a ticket (€17, including €10 in chips). Prince’s Palace (Palais Princier): Changing of the Guard: Starts daily at 11:55 AM, with guards in striking red and white uniforms. Oceanographic Museum (Musée Océanographique): An aquarium built on a cliffside, featuring a shark tank and a rooftop terrace. F1 Circuit and Prince’s Car Collection: Stroll along Port Hercule to see iconic race track landmarks like tunnels and hairpin turns, marked with signs—a must for car enthusiasts. ❣️ Travel Tips: 1. Buses to Monaco stop directly at the tourist center, where you can collect a commemorative passport. 2. Check if your mobile data plan supports Monaco; downloading offline maps and enabling airplane mode is recommended. 3. To reach the Prince’s Palace, navigate to the Utile supermarket and pass through it to save walking distance. 4. Some Monaco attractions offer combo tickets—plan ahead for better deals. 5. Behind Monaco Cathedral, there’s a post office where you can send postcards. Local stamps are uniquely designed.