Château de la Chèvre d'Or ****, Eze Village, Alpes-Maritime, France.

The hotel, a member of the prestigious Relais et Châteaux chain, is a collection of restored, stone village houses clustered around the original manor house and strung together along the outer rim of the seaward edge of the ancient hill top village of Eze a stone’s throw from Monte Carlo. Its’ nucleus is the original Château restored by the world famous American violinist Balakowicz who bought the Chateau just after the second world war. Within the last decade, all the original seven rooms have been completely rebuilt and refurnished with great charm and originality, gracious bathrooms installed with walls of pink marble from Portugal and balconies added all with views out over the Mediterranean waters thousands of feet below.

Those seven rooms have been joined by 26 more, some in more restored village houses on either side of the original hotel, others are new, built in the old style using village stone and Roman tile roofs. They are dotted about on the terraces that descend just below the main hotel terrace.

In addition to the story book charm of this is the world class one Michelin star restaurant "La Chevre d’Or". Located in the highest point of the establishment. Its plate glass windows give a 270° view out over the Mediterranean from Monte Carlo in the East to St. Tropez in the West.

Statue of the Golden Fleeced Goat or "La Chèvre d'Or" One of the many terraced gardens with fountains and statues, stone steps and benches. Originally the violin recital room, now the bar. View from the terrace out over the Mediterranean, St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Bealieu.

The hotel also has several other restaurants for every taste. Very good, less formal, food is available at their "Les Remparts" Restaurant or their small and intimate "Le Grill du Château" restaurant just down the lane offers yet a lighter approach. A few minutes drive away down the cornich in the coastal village of Villefranche, is their brand new "La Voile d’Azur" restaurant that overlooks the bay of St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the quaint fishing port of Villefranche.

The hotel owns the hillsides below its walls that slope away toward the sea. Five years of continuous work has created a magnificent fillagrie of garden terraces stepping down the hillside with fountains, benches, tables and chairs, olive trees, exotic plantings, water falls and ponds. They create secluded romantic spots from which to sun yourself, have a private breakfast, read a book, soak up the rays of the sun or swim in the hillside. If walking up and down the stone steps is not enough of a work out, there is a modern gym with exercise machines from which you can continue to enjoy the view even when peddling or pressing.

The hill side pool with the hotel and its restaurant rising above. Night view of the lane that leads through the hotel conmplex with the Reception to the right under the arch, the "Remparts" restaurant, bar and terrace to the left and the restaurant "La Chèvre d'Or" above. One of the room entrance doors framed by the arch. The Reception entrance is on the left.

At night the views from the hotel are studded with necklaces of lights along the shore far below and out into the sea on the ismas of St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat and further along to Nice, Antibes and St. Tropez. The moon shines its own light on the sea and boats can be seen adding their jewels far out to sea.

There is a charming myth about the origins of the hotel from which it was given its name “La Chèvre d’Or” or the golden goat. (Click Here for more)

The hotel is physically part of the old village of Eze whose narrow pedestrian lanes tie the hotel together and lead back up into the old corners of this romantic artist’s eirie. This is the perfect destination for anyone with a romantic streak, a desire to find peace and quiet on the busy coast or just to stay at a world class hotel with superb service. One proviso. Just be aware that the very characteristics that give it such charm and character (the hillside location with many stone stairs) can be difficult for those who have a problem walking.

Rooms:
	A typical mini suite, this one done is peach, cream and pale washed soft greens. A suite done in a more classical style.	Another mini-suite on two levels in white, blue and green. Apricot colored marble bathroom typical of most of the suites.