Eze & Saint-Paul de Vence Private Tour from Nice

Walk through two medieval villages where Picasso and Matisse found their muse

A private half-day tour from Nice visits the perched village of Eze and the artist haven of Saint-Paul de Vence with a certified guide, hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport. You start at Mont-Boron for a panoramic view of Nice, then walk through Eze's medieval streets and see the stone where Chagall painted, before exploring Saint-Paul de Vence's narrow lanes and learning why Picasso, Matisse and Chagall stayed at the Hotel Colombe d'Or.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount Boron20m
2. Èze1h

Explore Eze and Saint-Paul de Vence

• View Nice from Panorama du Mont-Boron
• Walk through medieval village of Eze
• See Marc Chagall's painting spot in Saint-Paul de Vence
• Visit Hotel La Colombe d'Or artworks
• Explore narrow streets of Saint-Paul de Vence

The experience

The tour opens at Mont-Boron, the highest viewpoint overlooking Nice, where your guide walks you through the city's history from Ancient Greeks through Romans and medieval times, then covers the architecture, food and local dialect that shape the Riviera today. From there you head to Eze, one of France's most visited medieval villages, perched above the coastline. The walk through its cobbled streets covers the military engineering and architectural heritage that made it a fortress, and your guide points out the best spots for photographs and the five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants that draw two million visitors a year.

Saint-Paul de Vence comes next, the village that became a refuge for artists in crisis. You'll see the exact stone where Marc Chagall sat to paint "la table devant le village" in 1968, and walk through the medieval lanes that inspired Picasso, Matisse, Cocteau and Chagall. The Hotel Colombe d'Or, where these artists stayed and paid their bills with paintings, still houses their original works. Your guide explains why Picasso returned here whenever artistic inspiration ran dry, and how the village's narrow streets, bright colors and blinding landscapes became the backdrop for some of the 20th century's greatest art.

The journey covers five hours total, with a private guide, air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water included. Your guide speaks English or French, and pickup from your Nice hotel is part of the booking. The group stays at seven people maximum, so the pace and attention remain personal throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Nice hotel.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• certified tour guide in English or French.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday, Saturday and SundayDepartures at 08:30 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by UniqueTours Riviera

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if your group is up to seven people and you want the full history and artist connections explained as you walk: the guide's knowledge of why these villages mattered to Picasso and Matisse is what transforms the visit from sightseeing into understanding.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What is the Trophy of the Alps that the tour mentions?

The statue of Emperor Augustus, also called the Trophy of the Alps, stands in the village of La Turbie on the Great Corniche, and your guide shows you the magnificent view from that height as part of the tour.

Why did famous artists like Picasso and Matisse stay at the Hotel Colombe d'Or?

The Hotel Colombe d'Or in Saint-Paul de Vence became a gathering place for artists, and many of them paid for their stays with paintings because they lacked the finances to pay in cash. Those original artworks remain in the hotel today.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

You walk through the medieval streets of both Eze and Saint-Paul de Vence, with stops at viewpoints and notable sites like the stone where Chagall painted. The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Does the tour include time to explore the villages on my own?

The tour is guided throughout, with your certified guide leading you through the streets, explaining the history and pointing out the best photo spots and notable locations like the Hotel Colombe d'Or and Chagall's painting stone in Saint-Paul de Vence.