Le Jardin Exotique — Attraction in Nice

This was one of my favorite places on French Rivera. It’s immaculate, beautiful, unique! I came here from Nice by the bus. It took a lot of planning and sticking to the schedule but it’s doable! Bus 82 and 602 come here from Nice Bavastro stop. 82 is faster than 602, takes about 40 min. Take the earliest one at 7:30 (you can see schedule on google maps). It will be busy at this hour already, arrive earlier to get on the bus. You can use Nice card for it. This will give you enough time to walk the streets of old Eze town as you climb to the garden and join the line to the garden that stars well before garden opens. I made it to the garden 20 min before opening and I was 7th party (in May). Buy your tickets online, I got mine once I was on the bus. Easy, pay , get QR code, scan, enter. It will save you time at the entrance.

It absolutely pays to be there early. You will have part of garden for at least 15 min with just several people before it gets really packed. Garden pathways are rather narrow and considering later crowds and influencers - it gets harder to move. The views are breathtaking, especially on clear sunny morning! Go everywhere, explore every corner - you will not get lost, there are signs. Also the aqueduct you drive over on the way to Eze is seen from the top of the garden. The whole garden is on the hilltop, so you will be walking up and down all the way. Once you enjoy all of the beauty and leave the garden, make sure to visit little boutiques right outside of garden. They are not tourist-traps. I stumbled on this amazing little store with cats and jewelry that only exists in Eze. Take your time, enjoy Eze.

The perfumery in Eze was nothing special to be honest, just quick tour and a hard sell! Enjoy garden instead.

The buses out of Eze were a bit of a challenge. I wanted to take one to Monaco (so I can’t speak on the bus back to Nice). First one to Monaco leaves 40 min after garden opens - not doable - garden will take at least an hour. The next bus is 2 hours after +delay (mine was 20 min late). There will be a lot of people, be early. Bus only takes cash. You can’t use Nice day pass or credit card. As for food, there are a couple cafes in old town Eze, and more outside - around the bus stop.

Also, getting Uber or Bolt to pick you up from Eze to go to either back to Nice or to border with Monaco (no ride-shares allowed into Monaco) is impossible. Drivers pick up ride and immediately cancel.

Another option is to hike down hill from Eze town to the sea where Eze train is (takes about 45 min).

Or you can stay in Eze...

Everything about this place was spectacular. I'm not usually a fan of cactus, but I do like succulents. The way this was laid out, I loved it all. 6euro.

It definitely is not a place for older people or children. I kept worrying for other people's children as they ran all over the place and could have fallen down the trails and impaled themselves on the cactus. Older people won't be able to make it up much of the stairs. The elevation of the garden goes up and down and around that mountaintop. I am quite fit and I found it hard.

I loved the mediaeval village architecture in The winding paths. Eze needs to be careful not to become another Amalfi or Nice where they over commercialize it to the point where it becomes ugly. With all the tables of the restaurants crowding the common public spaces, especially where we arrive, they're getting close.

The public transportation from Nice, actually took me 2 tries to get there because wrong info @ the bus stop that would take me to the exotic garden in Eze. Google maps shows the stop is called Bavastro, and the bus drivers never heard of it. Then you learn that it's Barla Street. The second day I did my research and asked the bus driver to drop me at keylona stop to catch the 83 and she forgot! I had to walk all the way back and start asking people in that general area where to find the 83 bus. Thankfully the garden...

Generally, cactus are considered unpleasant. However, they are actually one of the most beautiful creations of the Mother Nature.

Le Jardin Exotique is the proof of this with its collection. Such a huge variety of cactus and herbs in one place, a majestic view of Mediterranean Sea atop from this hill is an amazing place to be.

To reach here, come to Eze village by train, bus or by own vehicle. Climb up following the cute path within the village. There a 6€ ticket for adults. One can buy them at the garden entrance or best is to buy from office de tourisme before beginning the hike.

The nearby parking is quite small and mostly complete. There a dedicated huge parking a bit away from this place. However, it is well connected by a free shuttle and one free ticket for the garden is also provided.

There a couple of good restaurants inside this village. However, reservation is suggested.

For any information, the office thé tourisme is the best.

Suggestion: Visiting during autumn is better. In summers, it’s really hot...