SIGHTSEEING
CHEMIN DE NIETZSCHE
Undeniably , the hills and coastal areas surrounding Monaco are some of the most beautiful places in the world ; they each have their own unique charm that is worth discovering . If you fancy more of a challenging walk as you take in some glorious seaside views , the Chemin de Nietzsche trail in Èze is perfect for you . The walk starts in Èze-sur-Mer right by the sea and ends all the way in Èze Village , a picturesque town nestled in the hills above . The village is situated at about 430 metres of altitude and takes around one hour to reach if you ’ re a more avid walker , or around an hour and a half if you prefer to adopt a more leisurely pace . It is definitely one of the more difficult walks in the region , with its steep incline and multitude of steps , but is such a rewarding workout and makes the views at the top even more worthwhile .
The trail is named after a great German philosopher who loved challenges , as he believed that the easier paths in life should be avoided , Friedrich Nietzsche . His work was essentially a critical genealogy of modern Western culture and of all its moral values . The philosopher had always been attracted to Mediterranean countries , which is why from 1883 onwards , he often stayed on the French Riviera . He settled in Nice at a time when his morale was at its lowest , but here he found the necessary creative emotion to write . He stumbled upon this walk and it was during the climb up this path from the seashore to the “ wonderful Moorish village of Eza , built among the rocks ” that he composed the third part of his work “ Thus spoke Zarathustra ”. Following his visit to the region , Nietzsche reportedly said , “ I slept well , I laughed a lot and I regained a wonderful vigour and patience .”
The start of the trail is situated directly opposite the Èze-sur-Mer train station , towards the very beginning of the seaside town where you ’ ll find plenty of spots to park your car , or even better come by train for 2.10 €. If you prefer a more leisurely walk , start in Èze village and make your way down by taking the opening situated right by the first entrance to Chateau de la Chèvre , before returning by bus . The pathway is very clearly marked and stairs have been built into most of the trail , but it is advisable to wear proper shoes to increase your
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