23 October 2008

Eze Village: Lunch at the Chèvre d'Or - the Bar




We've walked up to the bar. I particularly wanted to see the Chèvre d'Or's champagne glasses. You may recall that David from Tamarindo Daily Photo posted photos of the beautiful 'angel' champagne glasses. (click and scroll down) Well, they've changed! As you can see, the champagne glasses now feature a goat and of course chèvre is French for goat. The bartender kindly displayed one of the champagne flutes on the bar.

You can see the decor of the bar in the smaller photo. We decided the terrace was where we wanted to be, so asked for our champagne to be served downstairs.

Tomorrow: pink champagne.

22 October 2008

Eze Village: Lunch at the Chèvre d'Or - the Terrace


Don't know about you but I'm getting hungry, so whilst there is much more to see in the gardens, let's go eat! We can take another look at the gardens another day.

We've walked up the steps you see in the lower photograph. Had we walked through the village, rather than the gardens, we'd not have encountered such a steep staircase.

21 October 2008

20 October 2008

Eze Village: Lunch at the Chèvre d'Or - the Statuary


The gardens of the Chèvre d'Or tumble down the hillside in terraces. You can better see this in the smaller photograph or click on THIS LINK (then enlarge the photo) and you'll see even better how the gardens fill the land below the old village.

Each terrace is small and there is a mind-boggling amount of statuary - every animal you can imagine, fountains, grottos, naked women...we'll get to those.


19 October 2008

Eze Village: Lunch at the Chèvre d'Or - the Pool


You are invited to lunch at the Château de la Chèvre d'Or. Get your glad rags on - comfortable shoes though - because we are going to walk through the hotel gardens on our way to the terrace restaurant.

We've driven along the Moyenne Corniche to Eze but instead of parking below the village, today is going to be special. We turn up into the village and stop in front of the police barrier - normally you can't drive beyond this. We tell the policeman we are eating at the Chèvre d'Or and he allows us through. Already we are feeling rather special! We drive up the hill and stop at the beautiful wrought-iron gated entrance where the car will be parked by one of three liveried young men waiting there.

We've walked into the gardens below the hotel - here you see one of several pools overlooking Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. It's a little overcast today as you see. Tomorrow - more of the gardens.

18 October 2008

Eze Village - the Altar



The altar of the church we saw yesterday. Such lovely soft colours, don't you think - and lovely old wooden pews.

17 October 2008

Eze village - the Church


The construction of l'eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption began in 1764 and was completed in 1772. The style of the facade was influenced by neo-classicism and decorated with monumental pilasters. Its architect, Antonio Spinelli, contrasted the outside with its interior which is decorated with cornices and trompe l'oeil paintings producing a dramatic effect proper to the baroque style.

16 October 2008

Eze Village - the Window that isn't


A trompe l'oeil window high up on an old wall.

15 October 2008

14 October 2008

Eze Village - the Red Pot


Another pretty corner. Eze has so many moments like this. I love the glaze of this lovely pot, set off so well by the succulents growing out of it and of course the beautiful stone.

13 October 2008

Eze Village - the Chef and the Manager


Well I'm assuming these two are Chef and Manager... it was taken around 2 p.m. so the main lunch service would be coming to an end.

12 October 2008

Eze Village - the Filigree Gate


This pretty corner of the village is roped off for privacy, as you see in the small photo - but the zoom lens allows a view through to this pretty gate. Note the wonderful twisted trunk the climber (or tree) that seems to grow out of nothing.

11 October 2008

Eze Village - the Luggage


If you come and stay at one of the two fabulous hotels in Eze village, this is how your luggage will find its way to your room.




10 October 2008

Eze Village - the Well

An entrance to the gardens of the Château de la Chèvre d'Or.

Click on David's Tamarindo Daily Photo for photos of the Chévre d'Or's 'angel champagne glasses.' Scroll down to view. You can also read David's wonderful tale about these in the Comments (last two days) on this blog.

09 October 2008

Eze Village - the Flower Pot


Take a walk through the village - turn a corner, on a bit, perhaps take a left. Look up, look down - and you'll find little wonders. For instance, this pot outside an old gate.

08 October 2008

Eze Village - the Espresso


With two important hotel/restaurants in the village, it's no surprise to pass some of the men and women who work in them. This young man is taking a coffee break from his work at the Chateau Eza.

07 October 2008

Eze Village - Château de la Chèvre d'Or


The Château de la Chèvre d'Or is one of the two prestigious hotel/restaurants in Eze village. The Golden Goat (Chèvre d'Or) is a legendary animal, made famous by Frédéric Mistral and appears in several local and Provençal legends.

This prestigious establishment was originally no more than a group of dwellings restored in the early 1920s by the American violinist and composer, Balakovic. It was later converted into a restaurant and then a hotel and since then many famous people have stayed here. And if you've seen the 2007 film, The Bucket List, with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, you'll recognise the scenery.

Click on the links above to read more.

06 October 2008

Eze Village - the Mannequin


You'll find many shops and art galleries in Eze. We'll visit a few as we walk through the village.

05 October 2008

Eze Village - Wander and wonder


The way to see Eze is to wander the little streets - don't follow the tourists on their way directly to the gardens at the top (although we will go there) - take any little turning - you'll find pretty squares, tumbling plants, stone houses. You can't get lost - Eze village is too small for that.

04 October 2008

Eze Village - the Setting


Here we are, looking up the perched village of Eze from the Moyenne Corniche. In the smaller photograph we can see the tip of St. Jean Cap Ferrat jutting out to sea - this has some of the most prestigious and expensive properties on the Côte d'Azur.

Man lived in Eze village as long ago as Neolithic times (around 2,000 BC) but now it's a trendy place with two exceptional hotel/restaurants, arty shops and a beautiful exotic garden at the top. It is also well-known for its perfume factory - Fragonard - the yellow building you see on the lower right.
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