I love Google Search. There's rarely been a time when it has led me astray. In fact, sometimes Google Search leads to great discoveries, like the beautiful village of Èze, France. I remember I was in Nice and went online to see what there was to do in the French Riviera besides hang out on yachts with celebrities (that just gets so tiring after a while). Somewhere in my Google Search results, I came upon a description of Èze and was immediately intrigued — a medieval village tucked away on a hilltop in the Cote d'Azur. I thought to myself, when else will I have the opportunity to explore a medieval village tucked away on a hilltop in the Cote d'Azur? And then I looked at the photos and knew I had to explore this place. Another plus: Èze is very close to Monaco, so it's the perfect day trip from Monte Carlo, or you can visit from nearby Nice. 

Getting there was easy — a hop on the bus and in less than 30 minutes I had arrived. The village made a charming first impression, with its beautiful, quiet and quaint atmosphere — very different from the flash of Monte Carlo and the more urban feel of Nice. The cobblestone pathways, medieval architecture and proximity to the Mediterranean show part of what makes Èze so special. It's easy to see why Walt Disney apparently loved this somewhat hidden gem so much. 

One of the most noteworthy areas in an already noteworthy place is the Jardin Boutique d'Èze. Here you'll find gorgeous sculptures, a unique garden and some of the most stunning views in the south of France.

My day in Èze was a welcome detour from my time in Nice, and I have Google Search to thank for that. Sometimes we just have to break away from our plans and discover the unplanned. I didn't expect to visit Èze, but I'm so glad I did. So the moral of the story is that if you find yourself in or near the French Riviera, I highly recommend you swing by the wonderful village of Èze. It's an affordable day trip that's well worth checking out.