Hello, I am your host Geoff. I enjoy giving guests my tourist tips and pride myself in being friendly and helpful to all our guests. I like to be creative, making crafty things and pottering in the garden. If you want to get an idea of the Auberge’s ambiance please ask me any questions. When you think about the location, remember it is Your Choice to stay at an auberge that is not in a town. The auberge is 500 metres above sea level on the wonderful Route de la Grande Corniche. It is most easily accessed by car, so if you are using public transport check the location, note the distance down the hill to Eze. It's a steep walk! Be prepared with some provisions on your arrival. There are great walks nearby and special places …. like the wonderful secret beach …. which I will tell you about! It's 15 min drive to Nice Port, 5 mins to Eze Village (25 min walk). I can send you all the info you need about public transport, where to park when you are exploring and nearby facilities. Just ask and I will send you map locations for transport and places to see and detailed guides to find the auberge. BUCKET LIST If you are using buses, the triangle tour of the 82, 83 and 607 buses would be a great way to take in the scenery. Bus 82 from Nice to Eze, Auberge on the Grande Corniche, Fort de la Revere. 83 Plateau de la Justice to Eze Border de Mer and Beallieu, 607 back via Villefranche to Nice. Eze: Visit the exotic garden, church and wander the streets. Chevre d'Or has three restaurants including a pizza restaurant. La Turbie: Check out the lookout over Monaco and the Trophy Roman ruin. Dine at Cafe de la Fontaine. Villefranche Sur Mer : The train station is next to the sandy beach. Visit the Fishermans Chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau. Menton: Great sheltered and shallow swimming for children. Visit the imposing church on the hill. Jean Cocteau museum. Monaco: Palace, Oceanographic Museum, Casino. St Paul de Vence, Vence and Grasse.

Auberge de la Croix du Pape is an eclectic and eccentric place to stay and we are continually renovating and improving areas here. Upstairs is closed for renovation but all the action happens on the lower terrace where the rooms are located. I want you to have an accurate idea of what to expect at the auberge. Feel free to message me before you book. Some feel it seems more like a casual hostel suitable for back packers. We welcome everyone, even if you only need a bed for the night and not staying to discover the gems of the area. Maybe another time? If you prefer a hotel, choose Hotel Hermitage about 500 metres away. It can be twice the price, but you may feel it is better value for your money. I don’t apologise for the auberge’s relaxed ambiance, where we welcome guests like new friends. I like to work on the garden and be creative and make things like stained glass or “upcycle” found objects. If you see junk, not objet d’art, perhaps the auberge will not interest you. It is a living place. The rooms have heaters and fans but not air-conditioning. At 500m above sea level, it is cooler than the coast. and the afternoon sun goes west around the corner of Mont Bastide, and puts the auberge in shade on our terrace. If there are facilities you would like to enjoy at the auberge, we are open to suggestions. You can use a rowing machine or borrow a massage table to pamper your partner. We have a baby cot too. Relax in the hammock or on one of the garden cot beds. We have a small kitchen for guests with a microwave, coffee capsule machine, hotplate, air fryer, oven, toaster, fridge and washing machine, ironing board plus electric and coal barbecues outside. There are pots and pans, plates, glasses and cutlery. If you need anything, just ask. We provide coffee and tea in rooms with a kettle or make a real coffee in the kitchen. Ask for a Geoffuccino if I am around. Please clean up to respect other guests and put everything away.

The auberge was originally an Olive Oil Mill It was an important old building with quirky character. We know it has been built some time way before 1814 when Pope Pius VII (Barnabà Chiaramonti) visited the auberge. The cross on the road commemorates his visit as he returned to Rome. The Olive Mill was transformed into an inn at the beginning of the 19th century shortly after the opening of the imperial road. The inscription on the base of the cross is written in epigraphic Latin. It tells us that on February 11, 1814, Pope Pius VII stopped and gave his blessing. The cross was erected shortly after. Pope Pius VII crowned Napoleon Bonaparte in Notre-Dame on 2 December 1804. No more popes came to France until Pope John Paul II. PUBLIC TRANSPORT. If you are on public transport I suggest you go to Gare Routière Vauban in Nice and beat the crowds getting on the bus further along the route through Nice. Download the Lignes Azur timetables app. Buy a Lignes Azur plastic travel card at tram stops and you can top it up using an iPhone. Make Sure You Validate when you get on a bus or tram. You get 74 mins to travel and switch between trams and buses around Nice. The East Nice Riquier train station is not far from Vauban bus station, so get off your train there, not Nice Central. Take the 82 bus to Plateau de la Justice terminus. Get out at Col d’Eze. TAXIS. If you need to take a taxi, download the Bolt and Uber taxi apps. The local taxis are much more expensive. I will send you a welcome message with information.