A town of arts, blessed by nature, Menton offers routes to discover the great names of world culture.

Guided tours of gardens and the streets of the medieval and baroque old town are organized regularly by the "Service du Patrimoine" (Heritage Service) for individuals and on request for groups.

Menton, one of France's 120 “Cities of Art and History," is above all a town with atmosphere. The old town -  the historical centre -  offers shaded narrow streets. The basilica of Saint-Michel with its bell tower is one of the most beautiful baroque monuments in the region, along with the Place de la Conception.

From the Basilique Saint-Michel to the Jean Cocteau museum, along with the marvels of the seven exceptional gardens, Menton offers seven centuries of history concentrated within 1,500 hectares.

Saint-Michel square
Made of little white and grey stones representing the Grimaldi coat of arms. The construction of the Saint-Michel church began in 1640 and finished in 1675. The bell tower was constructed in the 18th century and the front in 1819 in the baroque style. On the side, the church of "White Penitents" was constructed in 1687 by Prince Louis I.

The Bastion
Constructed from 1636 to 1639 by Honore II of Monaco to defend the town. In 1957, it was restored to house works of art.

Villa Maria Serena
Belonging to the Lesseps family, it was constructed in 1880 to plans by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera. The house has a beautiful garden.

Fontana Rosa
Vincente Blasco Ibanez purchased the Fontana Rosa domain  in 1921  and dedicated it to Spain and novelists.

Val Rahmeh
Created in 1905 by Lord Radcliffe, ex-governor of Malta. The botanic gardens were acquired by the state in 1966 and given to the Natural History Museum.

Les Colombieres
Ferdinand Bac, novelist, drawer, illustrator and landscaper, founded the spirit of Mediterranean gardens on the lands of the Ladan Bockairy family in 1918.

La Madone Conservatory
Designed between 1919 and 1939 by Major Lawrence Johnston, a designer of English gardens. Today, it contains a collection of rare essences brought back from Asia.

Le Palais Carnoles
Former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco, constructed in 1717. Today, this little "Versailles" contains a collection of paintings.

It is practically impossible to stay in Menton without strolling down the pedestrian street. This central street is a must for all visitors to Menton as it is packed with shops and restaurants and extends from the sea front to the "Campanin" garden.

The Municipal market is located between the old port and the old city. Overflowing with color, exotic aromas and flowers from the South of France, look for Mentonnaise specialities such as lemons, spices, "barbbajuans" (fried vegetables and rice) and socca... delicious! The warm welcome given by the local shopkeepers offers a glimpse of the Mentonnaise conviviality.

One can find the same friendly atmosphere in the Careï valley where the Careï market sets up under blue and white striped canopies, the colors of Menton city.

Menton is a city of just over 28,000 on the French Riviera, near the Franco-Italian border, whose beautiful gardens are known throughout Europe. The lemon is its symbol, and in 1929, when it was the leading supplier of lemons in Europe, a tradition began...

The Fete Du Citron or Citrus Festival is truly a magical event filled with color and imagination. It's simply amazing what local theatrical artists are capable of creating from oranges and lemons!

The Citrus World exhibition is staged in the the Jardins Biovès from 9 am to 6 pm daily and features iconic visual images from around the word rendered with fruits and flowers.

Visit the Jardins Biovès by night! Come after 8.30 pm and you will encounter bizarre sounds and strange creatures created from lights which defy the imagination.

At the end of the festival, the town holds its breath for the main event. As night falls, a series of floats laden with oranges and lemons appear to a percussion beat. Then it's party time.

The Menton Lemon Festival invites you for...

15 days of joyful exuberant celebrations throughout the streets...
15 days dedicated to festivities and feasts...
15 days when the streets belong to giants, musicians and acrobats..
Whistles, tom-toms, drums and maracas roll, knock and shake...
With its masked and painted faces, traditional costumes or clown suits, extravagant hats and amazing wigs, the Citrus Festival of Lemon is one of the world's great carnivals.
And at the end of the festival, King Carnival is neither burnt nor drowned - just candied or squeezed!