Your Ultimate Guide to Menton France: The Pearl of the French Riviera and The Most Citrusy City
Menton, France is a Franco-Italian city that serves as an ideal base for exploring the French Riviera. Firstly, welcome to my guide, which will assist you in discovering Menton.
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Why Should You Visit?
Menton is a beautiful town located on the French Riviera and it boasts 350 days of sunshine!
My husband and I spent a week in this charming town in late February for my birthday and he wanted to be able to practice his French. Previously, he spent a year learning French with the Defense Language Institute. Perfect place to practice his French, especially after spending time in Korea.
We chose to drive from Vicenza, Italy as it was only a 5-hour trip made easy by the beautiful scenery of western Italy. Small towns appeared on the mountainside and it was reminiscent of Coastal California. Sometimes I can’t believe people live in places like this!
Menton is most renowned for the Menton Lemon.
Interestingly, these lemons are geographically protected and never leave Menton. Consequently, chefs utilize them for cooking and preparing food in the local area.
Moreover, high above the town in the Garavan area, small citrus orchards managed by Maison Gannac can be found. Additionally, you’ll notice nurseries scattered throughout the hillside. Mimosa and fresh flowers line the streets, creating an incredible sight and it’s such a sight to take in with the golden hues of the old town.
The Climate and the Language
Menton, like its other counterparts on the Riviera, boasts a record number of sunshine of 300+ days. Indeed it is not often that you encounter bad weather in this part of France.
Additionally, The medieval old town is home to Basilique Saint-Michel, with its 18th-century bell tower, and the ornate facade of La Chapelle des Pénitents-Blancs.
You can visit the beautiful market hall that was designed by Adrien Rey. It makes for a lively spot to converse with locals. The city is incredibly walkable and easy to get around.
Another unique attribute of Menton is the Fete Du Citron, which is a yearly festival that celebrates the coming of Spring. Learn all about the Fete Du Citron in my other blog post here.
Our VRBO was right in the heart of Menton and although there are a copious amount of places to choose from, this was perfect for us. Subsequently, we worked with our host to secure passes for the Fete Du Citron, which was essential as our Airbnb was right on the parade route. Indeed, we lucked out with this!
Walking around Menton, you’ll notice you have two very distinct sides. The old town and the new town. As you explore, keep an ear out. You’ll hear Italian and French in Menton. Turns out over 50% of the population is Italian. Historically, this area of France has oscillated between Italian and French control. I got by with what little Italian I can speak and my husband got away with speaking choppy French to the locals without an issue. Above all, Everyone was incredibly kind.
History of Menton
It’s crucial to delve into the city’s rich history. The roots of Menton trace back to the Paleolithic era. The Count of Ventimiglia established the first major settlement in the 11th century. Subsequently, the Republic of Genoa incorporated it.
Over time, the rule shifted to the Prince of Monaco from 1346 to 1860. For six centuries, Menton remained a part of Monaco. A significant turning point in Menton’s history came in 1860 when it was sold to France for four million francs. This transition transformed Menton from a frontier town into an integral part of France.
Interestingly, Queen Victoria of England developed a fondness for Menton. Her inaugural visit in the spring of 1882 was driven by the region’s climate and its beautiful gardens.
As you set about in Menton, you’ll find an abundance of gardens to visit. Villa Hanbury, a favorite location for Queen Victoria, is one example. Her visits significantly influenced other English visitors to the area, leading to the transformation of Menton into a health resort for the British
How to get to Menton
You can reach Menton in a variety of ways. If you choose to drive, you’ll find the journey to Menton easy and rewarding. No matter which direction you come from, you’ll enjoy beautiful views.
If you are flying, the best airport to fly into is Nice. There are a fair amount of airlines that fly into Nice (NCE) airport.
Cab or Train, it’s your choice!
You easily catch a cab from Nice Airport to the train station.
Nice Saint-Augustin train station offers a direct connection to the airport. Tramway lines 2 and 3 provide a free link between Terminal 2, Terminal 1, and the “Grand-Arénas” station.
Interestingly, less than 500 meters apart, a dedicated pedestrian walkway takes just 7 minutes to reach the station from Terminal 1.
From there, you can take this to Nice Ville train station and hop on a regional train heading into Menton. It’s worth noting that regional trains arrive every 30 Minutes.
Why not use Omio to utilize the trains?
Accommodations in Menton
There are many great places to stay in Menton.
We did stay central in Menton, We found our studio on VRBO.
Le Provençal Appt: Facing the beach & the turquoise sea. A/C, 5pers max.
You can also use this map to find a place in Menton that suits your needs.
Budget-Friendly Solo Traveler Stay
Located in the center of Menton, Hôtel Richelieu is 820 feet from the beach and just 984 feet from Menton’s train station. It offers free WiFi. All of the rooms at Hôtel Richelieu feature a satellite TV and views of the mountains and the town. Some of the rooms have a balcony. A continental breakfast is served each morning and guests can relax in the shared lounge. The hotel is 656 feet from the Palais des Congrés. Nice is 19 mi away.
Family Friendly stays in Menton
Le COQ Edouard VII – Parking – Proche mer
A recently renovated property, Le COQ Edouard VII – Parking – Proche mer is located in Menton near Borrigo Beach, Casino Beach and Marche Beach. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk and a lift for guests. The air-conditioned apartment consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a coffee machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower and a hair dryer. A TV is featured. The accommodation is non-smoking.
Luxury accommodations in Menton
Hôtel Vacances Bleues Royal Westminster
Located in Menton, between Italy and Monaco, Le Royal Westminster is set in a park with views of the sea. Free Wi-Fi access is provided in the air-conditioned guest rooms and you can enjoy a drink on the terrace. Each guest room has a satellite TV and a telephone, and all of the rooms have a private bathroom with a hairdryer. The bar and restaurant open onto the terrace and they overlook the park and the sea. A library and a grand piano are available for evening entertainment. An information desk is available on site and will help you organise your stay and visits.
Accommodations Map in Menton
You can also use this map to find a place in Menton that suits your needs.
Places to Eat and Drink in Menton
Here is an interactive map that you can download onto Google Maps. This lists all the places we ate at while in Menton.
La Petite Cave (ONLY ACCEPTS CASH)
La Petite Cave was one of our favorite places to eat while in Menton. We kicked ourselves for not discovering this gem sooner. Secondly, La Petite Cave has been serving crepes and galettes Bretonnes for over 40 years, a testament to its enduring popularity. With so many different options available, it’s no surprise that the line was out the door. Moving on to our dessert, we had a lemon curd crepe with chantilly. It was one of the best things I have tried. The lemon was not too heavy, and the Chantilly complemented it perfectly. Lastly, the wine and the beer were just as delightful, rounding off a truly memorable dining experience.
La Pecora Negra
This restaurant sits right on Plage des Sablettes. Think of this place as a great starting point to grab a wine or a cocktail and enjoy the view. The wine selection was pretty great and featured a lot of choices from the French Riviera and Provence. There were Italian choices as well. We split a small Charcuetiere Board that was chock full of Italian cured meats.
Restaurant Le Galion
Le Galion is an upscale restaurant and we went here for my birthday. It was pretty sophisticated and the way they plated the food was beautiful. The service was fast, and the food was delicious. It’s set in the Port of Menton and it’s a very beautiful setting.
GOOGLE MAPS: RESTAURANT LE GALION
Le New Pub
Le New Pub is a perfect spot for an Apertivo and to watch a game or two. We were lucky enough to catch a match while there and the Aperol Spritz are pretty great! It’s a great place to watch the sunset and the boats come in. They have a great selection of beers on tap. The service was quick and you get an unlimited amount of chips brought to you. I just thought that was great!
Cote Sud
Cote Sud has a beautiful atmosphere and the food is a blend of Italian and French bringing lightness and authenticity. I had Chestnut Gnocchi with truffles and it was a dish that made you feel warm inside. Despite the prices being a bit on the higher side, it’s well worth it for the generous portion sizes.
Pizza Vesuvio Menton
On our first night, we stopped by this establishment. There was a bit of a wait and I immediately understood why. The Pizzas were huge, and they were DELICIOUS. It’s a bit pricey but worth it!
Atelier Boulanger
So let’s say you decide to venture out to get drone shots of Menton at 7 am and you want a coffee and a pastry to go with the mini excursion, this place is perfect! It opens at 0600am and the pastries are so good!
GOOGLE MAPS: Atelier Boulanger
Want to know how to spend a week in Menton?
How to Spend a Week Exploring Menton, the French Riviera’s Most Citrusy City
Want to know more about Mentons most popular festival?
Everything you need to know about the Fete Du Citron is Here
Heading to Bordeaux?
Check out my Ultimate Guide to Bordeaux France for Solo Female Travelers
Thank you for the recommendations as to where to stay! We are planning out trip and this is perfect! The La Petit Cave sounds pretty great!