A Guide to Visit Menton France

The colourful city of Menton on the French Riviera is famous for its lush gardens and pleasant Mediterranean climate. With perfect conditions for growing citrus fruits, it is home to the annual Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron), a huge two-week celebration of the citrus industry. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region, it is very close to the Italian border. Only 30 minutes by car from the popular tourist destination of Nice and 20 minutes from Monaco, Menton is a lovely smaller town that is well worth a visit.

About Menton, France

The colourful city of Menton on the French Riviera is famous for its lush gardens and pleasant Mediterranean climate. With perfect conditions for growing citrus fruits, it is home to the annual Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron), a huge two-week celebration of the citrus industry. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region, it is very close to the Italian border. Only 30 minutes by car from the popular tourist destination of Nice and 20 minutes from Monaco, Menton is a lovely smaller town that is well worth a visit.

What Can I See and Do in Menton, France?

A stay in Menton will offer sandy beaches on the Mediterranean Sea, a historic old town with beautiful hotels and interesting museums, excellent food and a pleasant year-round climate. A little less well-known than its larger neighbouring cities, Menton is less crowded with a soothing village feel. Here are some of the top things to see and do in Menton.

Jean Cocteau Museum/Séverin Wunderman Collection

This museum is dedicated to the French artist, writer, filmmaker and playwright Jean Cocteau, and incorporates the collection of Séverin Wunderman, an American Cocteau enthusiast. The building itself is a wonder, designed by well known architect Rudy Ricotti, and is located right on the waterfront of Menton. Around 1,800 pieces related to Cocteau are on display on a rotating basis.

Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh

The Val Rahmeh Botanic Gardens is a green slice of paradise on the slopes above Menton. Built by an old Governor of Malta, Lord Radcliffe, it is full of tropical and subtropical plants imported from South America and Asia. Radcliffe was fond of tropical fruit so there is plenty of kiwis, avocados and bananas, as well as the rare toromiro tree, a now extinct in the wild tree from Easter Island.

Saint-Michel Basilica

Menton is situated right on the Italian border, and it is easy to see historical Italian influences when looking at this baroque church. Saint-Michel was ordered to be built in 1619, but wasn’t fully completed until 1819. Pope John Paul II gave it the rank of “basilica” in 1999. A majestic set of zigzagging stairways take you up to the church from Promenade de la Mer – this can be quite a hot task in the middle of the day.

Plage des Sablettes

One of Menton’s best beaches is on the small bay beneath Saint-Michel Basilica. Protected from the sea by Menton’s port, relax on the sand and shingle by the calm waters. If you look up at the mountains to the east, you can see Mortola Point, where the border of France and Italy lies.

Jardin Serre de la Madone

Another wonderful garden retreat is Serre de la Madone, boasting a 6-hectare collection of rare sub-tropical plants centred around serene pools. Established between 1924-1939 by British designer Lawrence Johnston, it is the result of his life spent travelling the world collecting plants. The garden is located on a hillside in the Gorbio valley, and features boundaries between garden sections made out of hedges and walls. It is open to the public every day other than Mondays during warmer months of the year.

Salle des Mariages

Another work of art by Jean Cocteau is Salle des Mariages – Menton’s Wedding Hall in the Hôtel de Ville. The artist was given two years in the late 1950’s to decorate it as he saw fit, and the result is a feast for the eyes with bright murals, leopard print rugs, carved doors, chairs and furniture. Many of the murals are inspired by old mythology and carry weighty symbolism. Information boards describe some of the works, or there are more in-depth guided tours on Thursdays. Self-guided audio guides are available from the reception at Town Hall.

Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival)

Every year at the end of winter, Menton bursts into yellows and oranges for the huge lemon festival, also known as the Carnaval de Menton (Carnival of Menton). Menton has been one of the top citrus producers since the 1400’s, and the festival has been going on since the 1870’s. Attracting more visitors that the Monaco Grand Prix, each year has a set theme to guide the decoration of elaborate parade floats. Past years have had themes of “Bollywood”, “Broadway”, “Around the world in 80 Days” and many more. In 2019 the festival was entered in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture of France. At the end of the festival, excess fruit is often sold at very low prices.

One of the best ways to experience the lovely town of Menton, France is through a walking tour. Your French Riviera Private tours allow you to be flexible with start and finish times, what areas you’d like to focus on, and how fast or slow you’d like to go. From short tours in a couple of hours to full day tours, a knowledgeable local guide will ensure you get the most out of your visit.