Nietzsche's Path – Èze, France - Atlas Obscura

Nietzsche's Path

Èze, France

This mountain trail inspired Nietzsche to complete his magnum opus. 

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After losing year-long friendships with composer Richard Wagner and philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer over intellectual quarrels around the mid-1870s, the mental and emotional health of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche started to deteriorate.

In search of a cure for his ails and his ever-increasing migraines, Nietzsche started to roam the warmer climates of Northern Italy and Southern France, living as a free philosopher and eventually coming to some of his more radical philosophical ideas. 

From December 1883 to April 1884, Nietzsche settled in the quiet coastal town of Èze, at the heart of the French Riviera. Èze is in fact made up of two conjoined villages. The modern town of Èze bord-de-Mer lies directly on the coast of the French Cote d’Azur. Several hundred meters up a steep mountain hill lies its neighbor, Èze Village, a dreamy medieval town with narrow winding streets. 

The surroundings seemed to boost Nietzsche’s health, as he later recalled: “I slept well, I laughed a lot, and I found a marvellous vigour and patience”.

The natural surroundings of Èze also left a mark on Nietzsche’s philosophical writings. Hiking up and down a steep mountain trail, connecting the seaside to the medieval village, Nietzsche found the inspiration for the third part of his philosophical novel, Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

The route, which has since been named “Le Chemin de Nietzsche” by locals, naturally invites contemplation as it combines beautiful seaside views, green forest trails, and stunning mountain vistas.

The trailhead for the Nietzsche path is located on your left as you approach the walled village, right before the entrance gates of the luxurious hotel Le Château de la Chèvre d’Or. The descent takes around 45 minutes to complete.

In the uphill direction, cross the coastal road or Basse Corniche near the small railway station of Eze Bord de Mer.

The trail is well-signposted in both directions.

Know Before You Go

The hike up to the medieval town of Èze Village takes about an hour for experienced hikers. Bring water, don't wear flip flops, and when the going gets tough, try reciting this line from Zarathustra: “You are treading your path of greatness. No one shall steal after you here".


 

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