Château Eza Fifth Star
Chateau Eza in Eze: a fifth star perched high in the sky
Built on on a spur dominating the sea to avoid invasions, the village of Eze was built during the 8th century. Protected by a fortress located at its top, the houses cling to this narrow rocky hill. In 1920, Wilhem of Sweden (1884-1965), the younger son of King Gustave V of Sweden, visited the village and fell in love with it, conquered by its charm and mildness of living. In 1923 he bought a housing estate from the 14th century that he will call Château Eza and occupy for thirty years. The "Castle of the Prince of Sweden" is then bought by Andre Rochat, a rich diplomat from Geneva, General Delegate of the International Red Cross, who will undertake extensive renovations to restore the Chateau Eza appearance it had during the time of the Prince of Sweden. Noting the growing public interest for this now exceptional place, he first created a tea room. Led by its success, it became a restaurant and finally a hotel. Le Chateau Eza was now part of the top-level Cote d'Azur hostelry. In 1994 Terry Giles also succumbed to the beauty of this site and he bought the Chateau Eza to turn it into what is now a luxury hotel, recalling by its surrounding the charm of the Belle Époque and the Roaring Twenties. Today, Château Eza is a luxury hotel recognized as one of the most romantic places in the world. It's by foot we venture into this fascinating "eagle's nest", through narrow, picturesque and steep paved streets, dotted with artists or artisans shops, small boutiques that look like caves. The employees’ welcome is all kindness and simplicity, smile and pleasure to communicate on the Castle history.
In November 2010, the establishment has undertaken five months of renovations for which two million euros were invested, mainly in the decoration of rooms by architects Alain Benatti and Alain Cecchetti. Fundamentals remains: the unchanging charm of old stones, the gourmet cuisine of Axel Wagner or the superb view over the sea which makes this chateau, perched almost 400 feet above the Mediterranean, one of the most beautiful vistas of the Côte d'Azur. The hotel now has eleven rooms and suites, as the former Prince of Sweden's library is now home to a nest called "Chambre Eza". "Our institution has built its reputation on these three assets, says Robin Oodunt, general manager of the hotel. By investing two million euros in modernization, we add a fourth: excellence. Today, the Château Eza indeed meets the highest standards in comfort and luxury hotel." The restaurant is located on a terrace where chef Alex Wagner (one Michelin star) concocts culinary delights in equal with the panoramic view offered by the restaurant, overlooking Cap Ferrat and leading delighted eyes by so much beauty up to the Gulf of Saint Tropez. Alex Wagner, a former student of Georges Blanc, is inspired on the full range of products of the South to offer a cuisine with conventional bases, enhanced by its unique approach in the work of flavors mixture. For example, his "Filet of Veal Studded with Menton Lemon" is a shear masterpiece of harmony in innovation. The aim of all these changes was to associate a more contemporary tendency with historical and cultural richness of the house. This effort to the heights of excellence were awarded by a fifth star. By becoming the third five-star hotel in the village, the Chateau Eza Eze allows Eze to set a national record and perhaps international: three five-star establishments for only 3,000 people!
A few pictures of Eze Village
Château Eza