Things to Do in Menton

Tucked against the Italian border, Menton trades the Riviera's bustle for pastel-coloured calm — an old town of steep, narrow streets climbing to a Baroque basilica, and a seafront lined with the lemon and citrus gardens that give the town its nickname, the 'Pearl of France'.

Every February, Menton's famous Fête du Citron transforms the seafront gardens into giant sculptures built entirely from citrus fruit. The rest of the year, its gardens, small museums and easy walking trails into the hills make it one of the Riviera's most relaxed bases — and a short hop from both Monaco and the Italian border towns.

What's on in Menton

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Theatre

Noëlle Perna - Mado fait son Cabaret

21 Nov

Palais de l'Europe, menton

from €27.50

Theatre

Le Père Noël est une Ordure

27 Nov

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

from €24.20

Concert

La Soirée du Gospel - Tour

12 Dec

Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, menton

from €32

Concert

Bakian Sings Aznavour

12 Dec

THEATRE FRANCIS PALMERO, menton

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

from €38.50

Theatre

Anthony Joubert - Le Diner de Cons

13 Feb

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

from €24.20

Cinema

Le Grand Soir – The Greatest Film Soundtracks

27 Feb

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

from €33

Concert

999 Police - Tribute Police

6 Mar

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

from €33

Concert

Dire Straits Reload - Tribute Concert

3 Apr

Casino Barrière Menton, menton

Salle Saint-Exupery, menton

from €20

More upcoming events in Menton

Concerts, exhibitions, theatre and festivals — with dates and tickets.

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Tours & experiences in Menton

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Experience

Gourmet Food Tour in Menton - 3 hours - Small Groups

Menton Walking Tour: History, Lemon and Local Flavors

Full Wine Tasting Tour in Menton - Early evening - 3 hours

Walking Tour in the Old Town of Menton France

Menton Photo shoot with a Local Award Winning Photographer

Private Menton: Snaps & Snacks in the Lemon Capital

Wine Tasting Workshop in Menton - 1,5 Hour - Small Groups

Roquebrune and Grimaldi Castle Walking Tour

Monaco Wedding Proposal On A Private Boat

Vacation Photographer in Menton

French Riviera: Private Boat Excursion With Skipper

Menton Boat Rental with Skipper

Monaco Private Boat Cruises Experience

Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Menton

Hello Menton: Private 2-Hour Intro City Walk with Local Guide

Aperitif on the French Riviera

Handpicked experiences, tours and day trips — booked on Viator.

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Yacht & boat rentals in Menton

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Menton, the Riviera's easternmost town, offers a quieter alternative to Nice or Cannes for a boat rental, with departures from the town's small harbour and neighbouring Menton-Garavan. It's a natural base for exploring the calm waters toward Monaco or crossing into nearby Italian coastal towns. The relative lack of congestion suits both first-time renters and those after an easy day without heavy marina traffic.

Boat rental

Sailing yacht rental in Menton: CN Yachts vallicelli 65

Sailing yacht · Menton

Motor yacht rental in Menton: Canados 90'

Sailboat rental in Menton: Comet 11 Plus

Motorboat rental in Menton: Tullio Abbate

Sailboat rental in Menton: Jeanneau Sun

Catamaran rental in Menton: Luxury Catamaran Lagoon

Motorboat rental in Menton: Rm 2022 40

Motorboat rental in Menton: ARCOA 1080

Motor yacht rental in Menton: Fairline 58

Motorboats, sailboats and yachts — book directly with Click&Boat.

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Where to stay in Menton

Hotels, apartments and guesthouses in Menton, with prices for your dates across the main booking sites.

Top things to do in Menton

Menton's old town climbs from the sea in warm Italian colours to the Baroque Basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange, whose pebble-mosaic square has one of the best views on the coast. Down by the water, the Musée Jean Cocteau holds a major collection of the artist's work, and his decoration of the Wedding Hall in the town hall is open to visitors.

Menton is also a garden town, thanks to the mildest climate in mainland France. The Val Rahmeh botanical garden and the Serre de la Madone are both worth the detour, and the covered market (Les Halles) is the place to taste the town's famous lemons. For a walk, the coastal path around nearby Cap Martin passes Le Corbusier's famous cabin.

Events and the best time to visit Menton

Menton's big moment is the Fête du Citron in February, held since the 1930s: giant sculptures made of lemons and oranges in the Biovès gardens and parades of citrus-covered floats along the seafront. In summer, the Menton Music Festival stages chamber music concerts on the basilica square, one of the Riviera's most beautiful open-air venues.

Thanks to its microclimate, Menton is pleasant almost all year. Winter and spring are ideal for gardens and walks, while June and September bring warm sea without the summer crowds.

Getting to Menton and getting around

Menton is the last French town before Italy, about 30 km east of Nice. Trains from Nice take around 35 minutes, stopping at Menton and Menton-Garavan stations, and Monaco is just 10 minutes away. Nice Côte d'Azur is the nearest international airport.

The town centre, old town and seafront are all walkable. Across the border, Ventimiglia's big Friday market is a short train or bus ride away.

Weather in Menton by month

Month	Day °C	Night °C	Sea °C	Rainy days
January	13	7	13	6
February	13	7	13	5
March	15	9	13	5
April	17	11	15	7
May	20	15	18	6
June	24	18	22	4
July	27	21	23	2
August	27	21	24	3
September	24	18	22	5
October	21	15	20	7
November	17	11	17	7
December	14	9	15	7

Best for swimming and boat trips: June to September, when the sea is 20 °C or warmer. Spring and autumn are milder and quieter — a good time for walking, day trips and wine tours.

Average daytime and night-time air temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain: Météo-France climate normals 1981–2010, Monaco (the nearest) station. Sea: approximate monthly average along the coast.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Menton Lemon Festival?

The Fête du Citron takes place in February, over about two weeks. Tickets are needed for the parades and the citrus sculptures in the Biovès gardens, so book ahead for weekends.

How do I get from Nice to Menton?

Regional trains run along the coast from Nice-Ville to Menton in about 35 minutes, passing through Villefranche-sur-Mer and Monaco. Buses follow the coast road too.

Is Menton worth visiting?

Yes — it's the calmest of the Riviera towns, with an Italian-feeling old town, excellent gardens, the Musée Jean Cocteau and a mild climate all year. It combines easily with a visit to Monaco.

Can you visit Italy from Menton?

Easily. The Italian border is just outside town, and Ventimiglia is about 10 minutes away by train — its large Friday market is a popular half-day trip.

What is the weather like in Menton by month?

Winters are mild and summers hot and dry. Average daytime highs range from 13 °C in January to 27 °C in August, and nights from 7 °C to 21 °C. Rain is most frequent in April (about 7 rainy days) and rarest in July.

What is the weather like in Menton in May?

In May, daytime highs average 20 °C and nights 15 °C, with the sea at about 18 °C. Expect around 6 rainy days in the month.

What is the weather like in Menton in October?

In October, daytime highs average 21 °C and nights 15 °C, with the sea at about 20 °C. Expect around 7 rainy days in the month.

When can you swim in the sea in Menton?

From June to September the sea is 20 °C or warmer, peaking at about 24 °C in August, and in October it is still around 20 °C. In winter it cools to about 13 °C — fine for a quick dip, but cold for most swimmers.