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.
Strategically located on the border of France and Italy, 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. As the day ends, the view becomes unbelievable when the sun sets. So, have I convinced you about the charm of Menton yet?
Why Menton?
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!
Discovering Menton: 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. Moreover, A beautiful market hall that was designed by Adrien Rey makes for a lively spot to converse with locals. The city is incredibly walkable and easy to get around. Furthermore, 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 Airbnb 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. Personally, 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.
Discovering Menton: A Little Bit of History
As you embark on the journey of discovering 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 explore Menton, you’ll find an abundance of gardens to visit. Villa Hanbury, a favorite location for Queen Victoria, is one such example. Her visits significantly influenced other English visitors to the area, leading to the transformation of Menton into a health resort for the British.”
Discovering Menton: Flying or Driving?
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.
Firstly, 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. Secondly, from there, you can easily catch a cab from Nice Airport to the train station.
Nice Saint-Augustin train station offers a direct connection to the airport. Additionally, 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.
A great app to download is SNCF which is a French Railway app. This helped us buy tickets on a whim. Lastly, always pay attention to the news as strikes may affect the timing of your train
Where to Stay
Our AirBnb was quite nice as it was central to everything in Menton. We had boulangeries close by that opened up at 0600. We were RIGHT across the street from the beach. Here are 3 places I think are great places to stay in Menton. (I receive zero commission from suggesting any of these hotels, these are recommendations based off being in Menton and word of mouth)
AirBnb: Beachfront studio in a residence with pool
This is the Airbnb we chose to stay in. There was a parking garage, with easy access across the street. There was a doorman who assisted you if you needed help. Your hosts Rosa and Emilie will help you out with anything you need. Rosa met with us and handed over the keys. Everything was perfect!
During our walks to and from the beach, I couldn’t help but notice Hotel Londres. Conveniently located just 50 meters from the beach, this hotel has been a longstanding part of Menton for 150 years. What particularly piqued my interest was the unique fact that the renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once stayed here and penned some of his works.
Budget Traveler? No worries. Ibis is a great place to stay that is close to the Old Town of Menton. You will be right across the street from the Beaches of Menton.
Places to eat and grab a drink in Menton
Firstly, something that I think is important to note is that not many places accept AMEX so be prepared for this, Visa and cash go a long way. Secondly, keep in mind that, like in Italy, many places close mid-day for Riposo. They’ll close around 2:00-3:00 pm and reopen around 6:30-7:00 pm. This is because dinner is served later in certain parts of Europe, so it’s crucial to adjust your schedule accordingly. Lastly, another wise bit of advice is to stop by and make reservations when establishments open. That way, you can slide right into your seat when it’s time to dine.
La Petite Cave (ONLY ACCEPTS CASH)
Firstly, 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 lets say you decide to venture out to get drone shots of Menton at 7am 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 more about Mentons most popular festival? Everything you need to know about the Fete Du Citron is Here
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!