Eze’s Culinary Heaven and Devil’s Bridge

As you drive along the Moyenne Cornish from Monaco to Nice, you will come across a lovely hilltop village called Eze. Take the time to park, and walk up through the huge old village doors and walls to discover it’s narrow streets and plethora of well known restaurants. Most famous is “La Chevre d’Or”, which accompanying hotel is one of the centre pieces of the local community. Royalty and the famous have been staying here for decades. Frank Sinatra was a patron, and many celebrities to this day may be spotted here, away from the crowds and the sea front,  enjoying some of the best views of the Riviera.

Chateau Eza is another renowned restauarant with an amazing terrace and fine dinning.  It is definitely worth the steep walk though the historical narrow alleys. 

But easy to miss as you enter the fortified walls, up a set of steep steps, is a small gem of a restaurant, called Le Troubadour. A small intimate setting, and a perfectly executed menu await you.  While not having a terrace or huge window bays, Le Troubadour has long attracted discerning locals wanting to indulge in a special experience.

We would highly recommend you book an evening in Eze if you are enjoying a vacation in the area. You will be driving over a pretty spectacular Arched bridge that has featured in James Bond as well as in The Persuaders.  Le Pont D’eze was built just over a 100 years ago, but it’s fabled earlier form was called the Devil’s bridge. Locals really wanted a bridge to attend the village church and avoid the long crossing of the valley below. The devil tempted them by offering to build a bridge in exchange of the soul of the first living creature to cross it. A deal was struck and the next morning a bridge appeared with midway, the devil waiting for his price. A farmer threw a piece of cheese across, which was followed by a greedy dog, hence saving the souls of the people about to step forward. The devil disappeared, but feeling cheated, he left a hole were he had stood, and no-one could approach or cross without falling down to the valley below. It took years to dismantle the bridge and start again. Hard work and no shortcuts were used this time.

On a quite evening in Eze, involving stunning food and great stories, my father enquired from a sommelier long since retired, which particular choice of wine would be Old Blue-Eyes preference. “Abundant” came the cheeky reply. Ouch!