Just a few kilometres from the Italian border, Menton is a low-key and relaxing town that has something for everyone: historical monuments, great beaches, seaside strolls, shady gardens. It's considered the warmest spot on the French Riviera which helps explain its luxuriant vegetation and the lemon trees that have become a kind of town symbol. Menton's citrus heritage is celebrated at the Fete de Citron (Lemon Festival) that occurs each year around Mardi Gras.
Menton's mild microclimate makes it a pleasure to visit any time of year. It's not quite warm enough for most people to swim in winter but it's perfectly pleasant to walk around town. Many senior citizens retire to Menton for the mild winter weather, its safety and sedate ambience.
The highlight of the season is the Fete de Citron which attracts huge crowds. With floats, parades, bands and dancing, it's a great party. Don't even think of driving there though; the crowded train is the only sensible choice.
In summer, Menton's great beaches come to life. Beaches are pebbly around the town center but head east from town to the Garavan neighborhood and the beaches are wide and sandy.
Menton lies on the coastal train route that runs from Cannes to Ventimiglia, Italy, just across the border. A day trip from Nice to Menton is easy to do by train or bus but the train is faster. There are two train stations in Menton: the Gare de Ville close to the town center and the Garavan train station. Take the latter to be close to the Garavan beaches.
Menton is divided between a medieval old town that stretches uphill on the eastern side and the newer town which lies south of the train station. The old town recalls Menton's 17th and 18th century heritage when it was under the rule of Monaco. The "new town" was laid out to accommodation the influx of Europeans in the latter half of the 19th century.
Menton has launched a free shuttle service that covers 10 stops from the train station through the town center. It runs every 20 minutes from 9am to 6pm daily. Just hop aboard! Check out the map:
There are no five-star luxury digs in Menton but there are some excellent four-star hotels. Try the
Best Western Premier Hotel Prince de Galles on the western edge of town on the coast.
Hotel Riva Art & Spa, another great four-star choice on the Promenade du Soleil.
Villa Genesis, a small but luxurious four-star hotel with a swimming pool and near the beach.
See more accommodation options in Menton
Art lovers shouldn't miss the tiny Jean Cocteau Bastion Museum on the Port.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, two major events were created in Menton: the Biennale of Painting, the first of which took place under the honorary presidency of Henri Matisse, and the International Chamber Music Festival.
It was in this context of cultural dynamism that Jean Cocteau, who had lived in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat since 1950 fell in love with the city of Menton and began creating works of art for the town.
This tiny museum lodged in an abandonned 17th-century fort was entirely designed by Jean Cocteau before his death in 1963. Look for multicolored pastels, tapestries, paintings and ceramics. Open 10am-12.30pm & 2-6pm (closed Tuesday).
Need more Cocteau? Head to the Salle des Marriages in the Hotel de Ville to view the frescos he painted there between 1957 and 1958.
The affluent Europeans that flocked to Menton in the latter half of the 19th century showed off their wealth by building extravagant residences. Stroll Menton's town center to find fine examples of the style.
Note the Palais de l'Europe, built in 1909 and now housing the tourist office
and the Residence Victoria, formerly the Residence Victoria et des Princes, built as a hotel in 1868
Here's anther example of an elaborated decorated facade in the town center.
Menton's seaside Promenade recalls Nice's Promenade des Anglais but with less traffic. It's a relaxing stroll and there are a number of beachside restaurants to enjoy a meal and admire the view.
This colorful covered market was designed by architect Adrian Rey and built in 1898. It's a great place to pick up fruit, cheese, fish, meat and snacks. Open daily until 1pm.
The narrow streets of Menton's Old Town are a pleasure to wander. Menton was a part of Monaco from 1346 to 1848 and then spent 10 years under the House of Savoy before joining France in 1860. The pastel houses of the Menton Old Town recall Vieux Nice, also under Savoy rule. The town is sprinkled with markers of its history such as the Porte Saint Antoine, one of the four medieval gates to the town
Many of the historical sites are accompanied by plaques that explain the site in French and English.
Take the stairs, Les Rampes Saint Michel (above) to the 17th-century Saint Michael's Basilica, a baroque jewel. The richly decorated interior is a festival of 17th and 18th-century style. The church is open 3-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-noon and 3-5pm Saturday and for 11am mass on Sunday.
Across from the church is the entrance to the charming rue Mattoni and a network of medieval streets.
North of the church is the Chapelle des Penitents Blancs, built in 1687.
Just a short walk up from the churches is Menton's cemetery with spectacular views over the coast. It's a peaceful spot with elaborately carved tombs.
From the cemetery, take boulevard de Garavan to the Val Rahmeh botanical gardens, a delightful oasis of greenery overlooking the coast. Admire 100-year-old olive trees, lotus flowers and giant water lilies in the pond. Entrance €8, closed Tuesdays.
Although the settlement of Menton dates far back to prehistory, little is known until Charles Grimaldi of Monaco bought the town in 1346. Menton swung from the Grimaldis to the Duke of Savoy to the Duc of Milan to Spanish rule before eventually becoming attached to France in 1860. Once the English discovered the Cote d'Azur at the end of the 19th century, Menton and its mild climate began attracting European aristocracy and then, inevitably, artists. The writers Guy de Maupassant, Robert Louis Stevenson, Gustave Flaubert, Emile Zola and Katherine Mansfield found Menton a congenial place to relax and write.
The Menton tourist office is in the Palais de l'Europe.
Hi! I'm Jeanne and I've been living on the Riviera for years. With my local insights your trip will be easy and fun. And, do check out my book Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City. More about me here.
