It was during my two-week getaway to the French Riviera in October 2022 that I discovered the town of Menton for the first time. I later returned in 2024 to experience their famous Lemon Festival, which I talk about in this dedicated article. Below, I share with you my favorite spots discovered on these two trips, as well as some sightseeing ideas and excursion suggestions around Menton.
Designated a City of Art and History, Menton is a colorful town of about 30,000 residents whose population triples in the summer with the influx of tourists during the peak season. It is said that Menton has its head in the clouds and its feet on the ground, a very poetic image, I find. The city features beautiful Belle Epoque facades and the largest casino on the French Riviera, but Menton is best known as a garden city, thanks to its exceptional microclimate and mild temperatures all year round! Shaped like an amphitheater, Menton is also located at the mouth of several rivers that descend from the surrounding mountains. It is situated at the southeastern tip of the Alpes-Maritimes department, between the Principality of Monaco and the border with Italy.
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What to see and do in Menton?
The origins of the town, which is built on a rock, date back to the Middle Ages, with a first mention in 1246 and the construction of a castle in 1249 (which has now disappeared as it was abandoned in the 17th century) where the princes of Monaco used to sleep when they came to Menton. Menton remained Monegasque until 1848 and became French in 1861. The town grew tremendously in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century when the European aristocracy decided to spend their winters on the Riviera, initially for therapeutic reasons and for its benefits on respiratory illnesses. The city, already known for its lemon production, then underwent a major urban transformation. The railway station was also built in 1869 to allow for the arrival of these wealthy winter visitors. Menton is also famous for its Palaces of the Belle Époque, which recall the splendor of a bygone century, built at the beginning of the 20th century to accommodate these famous winter residents. In total, the city had 75 palaces and grand hotels at that time. The gardens, true settings for these establishments, are lush and filled with many plants, synonymous with exoticism and a change of scenery.
Regarding culture, unfortunately, the city’s museums (Jean Cocteau Museum and the Museum of Archaeology and Fine Arts) are currently closed to the public and undergoing renovations. You will have to come back in a few years for me to tell you more about them. In the meantime, while waiting for the reopening of the Jean Cocteau Museum (opened in 2011 and flooded in 2018), you can see a temporary exhibition on Cocteau, installed in the town’s former military fort built in the 17th century under the reign of Prince Honoré II.
Don’t miss:
- Getting lost in the labyrinthine and colorful alleyways of Old Menton. As in many towns on the French Riviera, you can discover some beautiful Baroque churches here.
- The Saint-Michel Archange Basilica (the city’s protector), whose current construction, commissioned by Honoré III, is the third church built by the people of Menton on this site. Do not miss the beautiful “calade” (stone) floor in front of the Basilica and the Saint-Michel ramps which overlook the sea and are a very fine example of Baroque architecture.
- Walking through the fishermen’s district in the old town, which was built in the 17th century.
- Climbing to the very top of the town to take a walk in the Old Château cemetery (built in the early 19th century on the site of Menton’s former castle), which enjoys a magnificent view of the sea, the bay of Garavan, and the town.
- Sunbathing on the Sablettes beach.
- The Place du Cap, which once housed the Saint Sébastien church for fishermen (on one of the facades of a building, a Virgin of Mercy preserves this memory).
- The Saint Antoine Gate (the town’s former customs point), where merchants paid an access fee to sell their goods in the town. Previously, the sea reached the foot of this gate (now it is much further away).
- The Palais de l’Europe, built in 1909, which is rarely open to the public but is worth a look if you have the opportunity.
Menton, Riviera & Wonders Tourist Office
8 Avenue Boyer 06500 Menton
Good to know: the heritage department of the town of Menton organizes numerous guided tours based on various themes.
The pro tip: guided tours are free for children under 14, and half-price for those under 18, students, and people with disabilities.
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Stroll through the Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden
If you are looking for a place to relax, do not miss the Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden. This 1.6-hectare ethno-botanical exotic garden is nestled in the bay of Garavan, between the sea and the mountains. It is managed by the National Museum of Natural History and houses over 1,700 species and varieties of plants from Mediterranean, subtropical, and tropical regions in an English-style landscape setting. It features 80 species of palm trees, tropical bamboos, sugarcane, 25 species of citrus fruits, avocado trees, banana trees, and even guavas. This diversity and exotic atmosphere are made possible by a privileged microclimate (with an average annual temperature of 16°/17° Celsius), which is warmer and more humid than the rest of the coastline.
The site was transformed at the beginning of the 20th century by Sir Percy Radcliffe into a garden surrounding a villa, which he named after his wife Rahmeh. Located in the heart of the garden, the “Villa les Cerisiers” was originally built in 1875 and later enlarged in the neo-colonial style that it retains today. In 1957, a wealthy English woman bought the estate and turned it into an exotic garden. The Museum acquired the site in 1966 to establish a botanical garden, sheltered in a valley, which allows for a true open-air greenhouse. Its aesthetic and scientific importance is highlighted by the “Jardin Remarquable” (Remarkable Garden) label, awarded in 2014.
When we visited in October 2022, the weather was perfect, and we wandered through the garden, moving from a pretty water lily pond to paths overgrown with tropical trees. We returned in February 2024 with a bit more fickle weather in a different season, but it was just as magnificent. In short, a huge favorite for this splendid place, which also offers exhibitions on the history and missions of the garden.
Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden
Avenue Saint-Jacques, 06500 Menton
Open every day except Tuesday, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM depending on the season.
Rates: adult €7 and child €5
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Visit the Serre de la Madone Garden
This garden with timeless charm was landscaped starting in 1924 by an Englishman, Lawrence Johnston (in 2024, we are celebrating the garden’s centenary). It still holds many rare plants and species from all over the world today. You can wander randomly through the garden and discover the cold greenhouse, the warm greenhouse, the pergola, the villa, the water garden, the orangery, the belvedere, the old olive grove… The site was classified as a Historical Monument in 1990 and became the property of the Conservatoire du Littoral in 1999. Another very beautiful garden not to be missed if you come to Menton!
Serre de la Madone Garden
74 route du Val de Gorbio 06500 Menton
Open from Tuesday to Sunday all year roundGuided tour by reservation
The garden is a bit off-center from the town center, but you can get there by bus line 7, stop “Serre de la Madone”
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Take a boat trip
To admire Old Menton from the water, I highly recommend taking a boat trip departing from the port. We personally went on two different excursions with Balade en mer Menton aboard Le Brigantin, a boat built in 1974. This boat has a capacity of 12 passengers, plus the skipper. During these commented sea trips, you are accompanied by a merchant marine captain who knows the coastline perfectly and shares very interesting information. We took a trip that went toward the Italian side to discover the Italian Riviera and another that went in the opposite direction to discover the French Riviera.
Balade en mer Menton
Rates: €25 / person – €15 (children aged 1 to 13)
Duration of Italian Riviera and French Riviera circuits: 1 hour 15 minutes
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See the wedding hall of the Town Hall
The current Town Hall is housed in the town’s former Casino, which dates back to 1859. If you have the chance to enter this building, attend a wedding, or take a guided tour with the tourist office, you must not miss the wedding hall, which was decorated in 1957/1958 by Jean Cocteau with the decors of Orpheus and Eurydice, the barbaric wedding, and the engaged couple. Notably, one can find his famous fresco, “The Lovers of Menton“.
Menton Town Hall
17 Rue de la République, 06500 Menton
My favorite spots in Menton
As usual, below you will find my selection of great spots in Menton (one accommodation and several restaurants) that we had the opportunity to test during our two stays with the favorite photographer. These addresses often offer the chance to discover local products and some regional specialties to taste if you come to the French Riviera. I also recommend going to the Covered Market or Marché des Halles in Menton (Rue Pélisson 06500 Menton). It is the ideal place to buy local products and culinary specialties. It is also a meeting place for locals on Saturday mornings. It was built in 1898 in the Eiffel style (it is said that it was inspired by the Baltard Market in Paris) by Mr. Rey, with Menton ceramics on the facade representing typical Genoese Baroque masks.
A few local specialties: the pichade is a Menton specialty; it is like a pissaladière but with tomato. You can also find socca, just like in Nice; the barba-juan, a fried chard or zucchini fritter; and all products made from Menton lemons.
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Where to buy specialties in Menton? Chez Mimi
This small stand is located outside the covered market of Menton, which I mentioned just above. If you want to buy some good local specialties there, I recommend arriving early in the morning. To try: the barba-juans (€1.50 each) which are delicious with chard, rice, and onions; the socca (€2.50)!
Chez Mimi
5 Quai de Monléon 06500 Menton
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A bakery/pastry shop in Menton? Mitron Bakery
A must for gourmets, Mitron Bakery is the artisanal and sustainable bakery of Mauro Colagreco, the triple-starred chef of Mirazur (voted best restaurant in the world in the “50 Best”). Located near the market, I highly recommend going there to try his famous Menton lemon tart, which is delicious!
Mitron Bakery
8 rue Pieta 06500 Menton
Stand at the covered market of Menton
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Where to eat in the center of Menton? Restaurant l’Entre II
This restaurant, located in the city center, right next to the Menton Casino and at the bottom of the Jardins Biovès, serves traditional cuisine. I recommend trying the medley of Barbajuans (€12), the fresh ravioli with borage, butter, and sage (€16), or the seafood platter with king prawns, salmon steak, and sea bream fillet (€25).
Restaurant l’Entre II
2 Avenue Boyer, 06500 Menton
Prices: appetizers between €12 and €16 / main courses between €15 and €25 / lunch special (except Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays) with dish of the day + coffee at €14
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Where to eat a pizza in Menton? Chez Pecora Negra
An annex of the very famous three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Mirazur, Pecora Negra offers pizza in all its simplicity. These are made with good local products (the menu is signed by the Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco) and are very well made. If you can’t taste the cuisine of the best restaurant in the world, it’s nice to be able to make up for it with a good pizza! The location also has a beautiful terrace that faces directly onto the port, which is perfect for a moment of relaxation in the sun after (or before) a visit to the historic district of Menton. The brand has expanded, and there is now an address in Strasbourg and another in Lyon.
To try: the pizza of the moment (be aware its price varies depending on the products, but it is quite expensive; we paid €21.50 for ours); the burrata (€14.50); the tiramisu (€8.50).
Pecora Negra
Quai Gordon Bennet 06500 Menton
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Where to eat Italian in Menton? The Leone restaurant
A few steps from Pecora Negra and just below the old town of Menton, the Leone restaurant (run by chef Paolo Leone) offers authentic Italian cuisine with quality products sourced from Italy. We had lunch on the terrace during our visit in 2022 and returned in 2024 during our visit for the Lemon Festival. The location is facing the sea near the port and offers mainly pasta dishes, but there are also fish dishes.
Leone Restaurant by Paolo Leone
13 Square Victoria, 06500 Menton
Prices: pasta between €14.50 and €33 / fish between €20.50 and €28.50
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Where to stay in Menton? Hotel Pavillon Impérial
This small 2-star hotel located on the side of the road is run by a truly adorable couple. The rooms facing the road are quite noisy because, despite the good insulation, the hotel overlooks a very busy road. If you want to be a bit quieter (and even then, you can still hear the traffic a lot, even in the back), I recommend asking for a room that faces the back of the building. For those not bothered by the noise of cars (which does not include me), the rooms in the front have a nice terrace. The breakfast is quite decent for the standing, and there is a nice selection of loose-leaf teas and herbal teas, which is very pleasant.
Hotel Pavillon Impérial **
9 bis avenue de la Madone 06500 MentonPrivate parking
What to see and do in the surroundings of Menton?
The territory of Menton, Riviera & Wonders extends deep inland, as far as the Italian Piedmont, and includes 15 municipalities in total. This territory was hard hit by Storm Alex in 2020, which devastated the region, and we can still see many consequences, including access roads that are still difficult in several places in the mountains. In this authentic hinterland, one can discover the Baroque Route in the heart of the Roya Valley.
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Visit the village of Sospel
Sospel is a picturesque village, steeped in history and culture, located at about 36 meters of altitude. It has a remarkable architectural heritage, such as its medieval bridge (salt customs point), its Baroque cathedral, or its painted chapels. Beyond the built heritage, we found some “purring” friends who seem to appreciate life in the village (see the photos!). Sospel is also an ideal place for nature lovers, who can enjoy its lush green landscapes, rivers, and hiking trails. The village is simply surrounded by greenery!
Sospel
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Discover the charming village of La Brigue
Lost right in the middle of the mountains at 778 meters of altitude, La Brigue is a medieval village of 670 inhabitants located on the border with Italy. It has a remarkable heritage, such as the ruins of the Lascaris Castle (which dates back to the 14th century and is now classified as a Historical Monument), or the Chapel of Notre-Dame des Fontaines, nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the Southern Alps, which houses frescoes from the 15th century (which I tell you more about below).
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The Brigasque Sheep Festival
La Brigue is also known for its breeding of the Brigasque sheep, a local breed of sheep that produces quality meat and cheese that we very quickly caught a glimpse of during the Brigasque Sheep Festival 2022. This colorful event is the perfect place to buy good local products (Italian and French) in a festive atmosphere with traditional dances and music. It takes place at the time of the transhumance of 1500 sheep. If you happen to be in the area at that time (the festival took place on October 15 in 2023), I can only recommend that you go!
La Brigue
Brigasque Sheep Festival in October
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Where to eat in La Brigue? Restaurant Fleur des Alpes
This restaurant, located in the center of the village of La Brigue and by the river (and which is also a hotel), offers family-style cuisine that is entirely homemade and exclusively prepared with fresh products. If you make a reservation, do not hesitate to ask to be in the back room, which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding landscapes.
Restaurant Fleur des Alpes
1 place Saint-Martin 06430 La Brigue
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What to do in La Brigue? Visit the Chapel of Notre-Dame des Fontaines
This Catholic chapel, located in the middle of nature about 5 kilometers from the medieval village of La Brigue, houses unique paintings. Nicknamed “The little Sistine Chapel of the Alpes-Maritimes”, this painted chapel is the distant heir to a sacred sanctuary built overlooking seven intermittent springs. At the end of the 15th century, two renowned Italian Piedmontese painters were called upon to paint the interior wall decorations: Giovani Baleison, who decorated the choir, and Giovani Canavesio, for the entire Nave. In total, 225m2 of frescoes were thus created with exceptional realism and quality.
Chapel of Notre-Dame des Fontaines
Vallon de la Madone, 06430 La Brigue
Visit rates: self-guided tour €4 / reduced rate €3 / free for children under 13
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Thanks to the Menton Riviera Wonders Tourist Office for organizing these two stays to discover Menton and its surroundings.
I hope that with all this, I have made you want to visit Menton, and if you also have your own favorite spots and advice for this destination, do not hesitate to share them in the comments below!
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free; the photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use.
