Where to Stay in Menton France by Neighborhood (with Map)

Planning a trip to Menton, but unsure where to stay? You’re in the right place. My husband and I have now visited Menton three times, and every single trip has made us fall harder for this little corner of the French Riviera. At this point, I feel like I know the neighborhoods well enough to help you figure out exactly where you should stay—especially if you’re visiting for the first time, traveling solo, or planning a slower, more atmospheric trip.

What makes Menton special is how easy it is to enjoy. It’s calmer than Nice, warmer than most of the Riviera, and perfectly placed for day trips into Italy, Monaco, and the French Riviera. And because the town is stretched along the sea in a long, golden curve, each neighborhood gives you a totally different experience.

Whether you want peaceful mornings and sea-view balconies in Garavan, a front-row seat to the promenade, or that warm, historic Old Town charm, this guide breaks everything down clearly—with hotel picks, neighborhood pros and cons, and the exact places we’ve stayed and loved.

Use this as your go-to plan for choosing where to stay in Menton.

This Post Pairs Well With

• 5 Day Menton Itinerary
• Learn all About the Fete Du Citron
• Menton Travel Guide: Discover the Best-Kept Secret on the French Riviera
• The Best Tours to Take in Menton

Where to Stay in Menton At A Glance

• Best area for first-time visitors: Old Town (Vieux Menton)
• Best area for beach access: Garavan
• Best area for train access and day trips: Menton Centre (near the station)
• Best area for longer stays or apartments: Promenade du Soleil
• Quietest area: Garavan
• Most central and walkable: Old Town

Menton is compact and walkable. Most visitors can stay anywhere between Old Town and the seafront without needing a car.

Best Areas to Stay in Menton + Map

When I plan a trip, the first thing I want to understand is how the city is shaped. Menton may look tiny on a map, but once you’re here, its layout suddenly makes everything click.

Think of Menton as a sun-soaked ribbon along the Mediterranean, with the water on one side and steep hills rising immediately behind it. Because everything is squeezed between the mountains and the sea, the town naturally stretches east to west—so all the places you’ll want to explore (Old Town, the Promenade, the beaches, the markets, the train stations) sit along one beautiful line.

And I’ll be honest: the very first time I came here, I thought, Is this really all there is?
Ten minutes later, I got it. Menton unfolds slowly. The more you wander, the more it reveals. The pastel Old Town, the curve of Sablettes Beach, the scent of lemon trees, the light shifting on the water—it all builds, moment by moment, into the kind of place you end up returning to again and again.

To help you get your bearings, here are the main areas to stay in Menton:

• Garavan – Peaceful, elegant, best sea views, closest to the Italian border
• City Center & Promenade du Soleil – Best for first-timers, walkability, food, and beaches
• Old Town (Vieille Ville) – Most charming and photogenic; atmospheric, historic
• Hills Above Menton – Quiet, scenic, great for longer or more private stays

How to Use This Map:
Click the icon in the top left corner to see all the places I’ve pinned around Menton— from cafés and museums to scenic viewpoints. You can turn layers on or off and click any pin to learn more about each spot. Want to keep it handy for your trip? Click the star next to the map’s title to save it to your Google account.

Then, open the Google Maps app, go to “Saved” → “Maps,” and you’ll see this Menton map ready to guide you while you explore.

Garavan – Best for Peace, Sea Views & That Slower Riviera Feeling

Garavan is Menton at its quietest and most elegant. It’s the kind of place where mornings feel soft, slow, and golden—where you wake up to the sound of waves instead of scooters, and your biggest decision of the day is whether to walk toward Italy or toward Old Town.

We love staying here because it feels like you get your own slice of the Riviera, without sacrificing convenience. The Italian border is right there. The sea is right there. The coastal path is gorgeous. And Menton-Garavan train station makes day trips incredibly easy.

It’s the part of Menton that makes you breathe a little deeper.

Where We Stayed in Menton (and Loved)

Appartamento Elegante in Villa Storica sul Mare

A historic seaside villa with tall ceilings, old-world charm, and windows that open directly toward the Mediterranean. It felt peaceful, airy, and truly local—one of my favorite stays we’ve had anywhere on the Riviera.

City Center & Promenade du Soleil – Best for First-Timers & Walkability

Why This Area Works

If you want that instant “I’m really on the French Riviera” feeling, this is your home base. The Promenade du Soleil is bright, lively, and endlessly walkable. Think cafés spilling onto the sidewalk, beach clubs, bakeries, palm trees, soft breezes, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like the main character in your own summer film.

This is where I’d send every first-timer—especially if you’re coming without a car. Our first time in Menton, we stayed in this area. We did stay in an apartment, but the listing has since gone off of booking.com, so the top recommendation if you want a luxury stay that is usually available:

Hôtel Vacances Bleues Balmoral

This hotel offers a garden overlooking the sea, easy access to the Fete Du Citron Parade route, and is right next to the Beach

Why stay here:

• Fantastic for solo travelers
• Steps from the beach
• Walkable to everything
• Right by restaurants, bakeries, and markets

Additional Hotel Picks

Hôtel Vendôme Menton

Classic beachfront stay with a clean, reliable, great-value feel.

Hotel Lemon

Budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and genuinely charming. A great choice if you want something affordable but still stylish.