The Exotic Garden of Èze: Outside Nice
Located halfway between Nice and Montecarlo, the village of Èze is a Provencal jewel, perfect if you are planning a trip in the surroundings of Nice. Frédéric Nietzsche was so fascinated by this enchanting place that he dedicated several pages of his celebrated work “Thus spoke Zarathustra” to it. In the historic town, resting on the hill top, the stonework houses, the narrow, steep alleyways with steps and passages (very often covered) form an architectural whole of great fascination. The jewel in the crown is the Exotic Garden, a botanic garden occupying the entire hill top of the village and surrounded by the remains of an ancient castle.
There are about 400 succulent plants including agave, aloe, euphorbia and cactus growing in this luxuriant oasis created in 1949 by Jean Gastaud. A luxuriant web renowned not only for the large variety of botanic species present but known also as a place of artistic inspiration and contemplation. Not surprisingly the garden also has an area specially set aside where visitors can meditate.