Menton, nicknamed the “Pearl of France,” lies on the Mediterranean coast at the French–Italian border, directly facing the Italian town of Ventimiglia.
It is bordered by the foothills of the Alps to the north and east and sheltered from western winds by Mont‑Agel, creating a unique microclimate with over 316 days of mostly sunny weather each year.
This mild subtropical climate supports abundant citrus groves, olive trees, exotic palms, and botanical gardens throughout the town.
Menton became part of France in 1860 after a period under the Sardinian Kingdom and a short-lived Monégasque revolt led by residents in 1848.
In the mid‑19th century, British doctor James Henry Bennet popularised Menton’s winter wellness destination credentials, praising its temperate climate for sufferers of respiratory illness.
By 1911, the town had grown from fewer than 5,000 inhabitants in 1866 to around 18,000.
Today Menton has roughly 30,000 permanent residents and functions as both a serene seaside town and a cultural hub on the Côte d’Azur.
It holds the official label of “City of Art and History,” awarded in 1991 in recognition of its rich architectural and cultural heritage.
Menton hosts the annual Lemon Festival, known as the Fête du Citron, every mid‑February; this vibrant event features gigantic floats and sculptures built from lemons and oranges and draws approximately 250,000 visitors each year.
Although the festival uses more than 140 tons of citrus, very little of it comes from Menton’s own orchards, because only around 56 small producers remain, harvesting roughly 200 tons annually.
The Menton lemon holds a European Protected Geographical Indication since 2015 and is prized by chefs for its aromatic, lemon‑grass scented zest and rich juice.
Legend tells that Eve cast the golden fruit from Eden into Garavan Bay, giving rise to Menton’s lemon tradition.
Menton’s cuisine blends French and Italian traditions, with local specialties including socca (chickpea flatbread), barbajuans (savory chard‑ricotta pastries), pissaladière mentounasc, and tarte au citron made with local citrus fruit.
The town’s covered food market, Les Halles de Menton, dates from 1898 and is widely regarded as one of France’s most beautiful markets.
Inside Les Halles, vendors sell fresh produce, cheeses, fish, spices, olives, breads, and local specialties in a bustling, colorful space each morning except Monday.
On Saturdays, an outdoor market spills into the plaza with clothing and household goods, while summer evenings bring night markets of art and jewelry by local creators.
Menton’s Old Town features pastel‑colored façades, narrow cobbled alleyways, and Baroque architecture reflecting its Mediterranean character.
The Basilica of Saint‑Michel‑Archange, completed in 1653, sits atop the hill in Old Town; its black‑and‑white pebble mosaic forecourt displays the Grimaldi coat of arms and offers views across the rooftops and sea.
Climbing the 464‑step Chemin du Rosaire takes visitors from the town center to the Annonciade monastery, originally founded in the 11th century and now a symbol of Menton’s religious and cultural continuity.
Other landmarks include the Russian Orthodox Church with richly decorated interiors and icons, testimony to 19th‑century Russian aristocratic winter migration to Menton.
The Jean Cocteau Museum (Collection Séverin Wunderman), opened in 2011 and designed by Rudy Ricciotti, houses the world’s largest collection of Cocteau works, ranging from drawings to painted murals.
Nearby, the Bastion Museum occupies a 17th‑century seaside fort restored by Cocteau himself; its mosaic‑decorated walls now host rotating exhibitions of his work.
Menton also boasts several notable gardens: the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden encloses over 1,500 plant species from tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean climates in a garden formally laid out on sloping terrain.
Serre de la Madone, listed as a Remarkable Garden, offers tranquil terraces, exotic species, and lush landscaping created in the early 20th century.
The Fontana Rosa, also known as the Garden of the Romanciers, is decorated with ceramics inspired by literary themes and stands out for its aesthetic charm near the Italian border.
Jardin d’agrumes du Palais Carnolès is a two‑hectare citrus fruit garden with 137 varieties, one of the finest collections in Europe, created in the 18th century and rebuilt near the old palace.
Menton’s beaches include Les Sablettes—a sandy‑pebble beach protected by breakwaters and ideal for families—Rondelli, Marché Beach beside the Cocteau Museum, Casino Beach, Hawai Beach, and Borrigo Beach.
Promenade du Soleil, Menton’s elegant palm‑lined coastal promenade, runs beside the sea and connects many beaches, cafés, and gardens, perfect for relaxed walks or swimming.
The Sentier Corbusier coastal trail runs from Menton toward Monaco, offering panoramic views of Cap Martin, the Mediterranean, and nearby cliffs and beaches, with sections ideal for swimming or returning by train.
Ventimiglia, just across the border in Italy, is accessible by a short train trip and is known for its vibrant Friday market and Roman‑era old town, making it a convenient half‑day excursion from Menton.
Menton has hosted notable visitors including writers Robert Louis Stevenson and Thomas Carlyle, and William Webb Ellis—credited with inventing rugby—who is buried in the town cemetery.
Cultural events include the Fête du Citron in mid‑February and the Menton Music Festival in summer, held in the open‑air setting of the Basilica forecourt and drawing world‑class classical musicians.
As a small town with fewer crowds than nearby bigger Riviera destinations, Menton offers refined charm, botanical splendor, seaside relaxation, and vibrant local colour in a compact, accessible setting.
Whether you wander its shaded old‑town lanes, admire lemon sculptures in February, visit Cocteau’s museums, relax in lush gardens, swim at pebble‑lined beaches, or explore the Riviera coast, Menton captivates with its gentle elegance, heritage, and Mediterranean light.