DESCRIPTION

A few kilometres from Monaco, Menton, a town bordering Italy, is where nature and culture blend most gracefully. Bearing the renowned label of «Town of Art and History», the “town of the lemon” is amongst the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur. Its natural and historic heritage, and gardens bathed in sunshine set above the sea, make this an outstanding location; a unique landscape for you to discover.

HISTORY

As a border town, the last before the Italian frontier, Menton frequently changed its national status. Owned by a Genovese family until 1346, Menton was then sold to the Grimaldi family, lord and master of the Principality of Monaco. More than a century later, revolution broke out. Menton became part of the Duke of Savoy’s protectorate. Eleven years later, the same Duke betrayed the people of Menton by helping the Principality to regain the town. Then came a series of changes of nationality: in 1524, Menton was under Spanish protection; in 1641, the town passed into French hands. In 1793, Menton separated from the Principality of Monaco to join the department of the Alpes-Maritimes. In 1814, it was the turn of Sardinia to take possession of the “town of gardens.” Tired of being passed back and forth from one owner to another, Menton and its neighbour, Roquebrune, decided to proclaim themselves as independent states, or rather «free towns». However, in the end they joined France in 1860. The Second World War brought occupation by the Italians first, and then Germans. Since its liberation in 1944, the town has remained French...
Throughout its eventful history, Menton has managed to keep and maintain its image of «Paradise on Earth». This is an image which, similarly to its neighbours, Monaco, Saint-Tropez, Antibes and Cannes, has brought it many eminent visitors, most notably amongst whom were, Queen Victoria, Sissi, Empress Eugenie, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Albert the First of Belgium, Winston Churchill, Katherine Mansfield, Anatole France, Jean Cocteau... and many others.

ENTERTAINMENT

Menton, «town of the lemon and citrus fruits»... Every year, to celebrate the lemon and the motto «My town of Menton is a garden», the town puts on the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival). This event, the largest during winter apart from the Nice carnival, evokes the legend according to which Eve planted a lemon from Paradise here.
Other large events also take place in Menton : the Festival de musique de chambre (chamber music festival), the Soirées musicales de l’Annonciade (musical evenings), the Voiles Latines (Latin sails) which resemble a fleet of ships, the Concours international de Pur-sang arabes (Arabian thoroughbred international horse show)…

WALKS

On reservation, the town’s heritage department organises guided visits of Menton. Accompanied by a lecturer-guide approved by the Ministry of Culture, you can discover all aspects of this Town of Art and History.
You can also enjoy the «Promenade du soleil» the flowering avenue which runs along the seaside. You can visit Menton, its old part of town and the old port…

SHOPS

The town has three markets, one of which is Provencal: the «Marché du Careï», «les Halles» and the «Marché du Vieux Port».

LEISURE

If you want to explore Menton fully, there are several museums and historic buildings to visit: the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum), the Musée Jean Cocteau (Jean Cocteau Museum) with the Salle des Mariages de l’Hôtel de Ville (wedding hall in the town hall) decorated by Cocteau, the Musée de la Préhistoire Régionale de Menton (Menton Regional Prehistory Museum), the Cimetière du Vieux Château (Old Castle Cemetery), the Palais de l’Europe (palace of Europe), the Basilique Saint Michel Archange (basilica)etc.

PARKS

The “town of gardens” has not acquired its nickname by chance ! Menton has a plethora of gorgeous green spaces with citrus fruits and Mediterranean plants. You can start at the Jardin du Palais de Carnolès, which is representative of the “town of lemons” as it has the largest collection of citrus fruit trees in Europe. There is also the Jardin Serre de la Madone, the Jardin exotique du Val Rahmeh (exotic gardens), the Jardin de Maria Serena, the Jardin Fontana Rosa, the Jardin des Colombières and the Jardins Bioves located in the town centre, etc.

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

Menton is the last French town before the Italian border. Via the “Basse Corniche” (lower coastal road), hugging the sea, it is easy to access the surrounding towns, such a Monaco, Nice, Antibes and Cannes…

By road :
By car, you take the A8 “Autoroute du Soleil” up to Menton or the Route Nationale 7.

By air :
Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport is around 30 minutes from the town by motorway.
On request, Monaco heliport can also be used to make the link between Menton and Nice Airport.

By train :
SNCF station: Menton railway station is mainly used by the TERs of the region. The TGVs from Paris primarily go through the other station located 500m from the Italian border, Menton-Garavan station.

See all Hotels in MentonJardin du Palais de Carnolès, which is representative of the “town of lemons” as it has the largest collection of citrus fruit trees in Europe. There is also the Jardin Serre de la Madone, the Jardin exotique du Val Rahmeh (exotic gardens), the Jardin de Maria Serena, the Jardin Fontana Rosa, the Jardin des Colombières and the Jardins Bioves located in the town centre, etc.