★ 3 · last edited Jul 3, 2020
Menton
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Menton
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On the Italian border, Menton offers a port and a charming, colourful old town, as well as being a seaside resort.
Overview of Menton
On the Italian border, Menton offers a port and a charming, colourful old town, as well as being a seaside resort.
Key facts
- Type de lieu: small town.
- Intérêt touristique: (recommended).
- Localisation:
- Distances:
- Heure locale: .
- Population: 28,958 inhabitants (2017).
- Superficie: 17 km².
- Altitude: sea level.
- Site internet: https://www.tourisme-menton.fr
History of Menton
What to see in Menton
Saint Michael the Archangel Basilica
It sits in the heart of Menton’s historic centre. A beautiful Baroque building dating from the 17th century, it’s remarkable for both its façade and its interior.
It sits in the heart of Menton’s historic centre. A beautiful Baroque building dating from the 17th century, it’s remarkable for both its façade and its interior.
Old Château Cemetery
A "romantic" site steeped in history, with a series of terraces offering sea views at the top of the old town. It is the final resting place of many foreign aristocrats from the 19th century, as well as White Russians who emigrated to the area after the October Revolution.
A "romantic" site steeped in history, with a series of terraces offering sea views at the top of the old town. It is the final resting place of many foreign aristocrats from the 19th century, as well as White Russians who emigrated to the area after the October Revolution.
Russian Orthodox Church
Built in 1892 in a blend of Russian and "European" styles, the building reflects the strong presence of Russian nobility in the region before and around the 1917 Revolution.
Built in 1892 in a blend of Russian and "European" styles, the building reflects the strong presence of Russian nobility in the region before and around the 1917 Revolution.
Jean Cocteau Museums
The town of Menton is home to two museums dedicated to the artist and writer, featuring the Bastion Museum (a 17th-century fort) and the more recent Jean Cocteau Museum, which houses the Séverin Wunderman collections—the world’s largest public resource of Cocteau’s work.
The town of Menton is home to two museums dedicated to the artist and writer, featuring the Bastion Museum (a 17th-century fort) and the more recent Jean Cocteau Museum, which houses the Séverin Wunderman collections—the world’s largest public resource of Cocteau’s work.
Regional Prehistory Museum
In addition to archaeological excavation findings from the region, the museum includes a section on arts, local traditions, and history.
In addition to archaeological excavation findings from the region, the museum includes a section on arts, local traditions, and history.
Carnolès Palace
This former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco now houses the city's fine arts museum. Its botanical garden, adorned with sculptures and statues, boasts Europe's largest collection of citrus trees.
This former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco now houses the city's fine arts museum. Its botanical garden, adorned with sculptures and statues, boasts Europe's largest collection of citrus trees.
Beaches of Menton
The town has half a dozen beaches (mostly pebbled) within its boundaries, including two smoke-free ones.
The town has half a dozen beaches (mostly pebbled) within its boundaries, including two smoke-free ones.
Old town
With its narrow streets, small squares, and beautiful ochre façades, the historic centre offers real charm, along with a stunning sea view. It’s also in the Old Town that you can see the Basilica of Saint Michael, the Chapel of the White Penitents, or the Old Château Cemetery.
With its narrow streets, small squares, and beautiful ochre façades, the historic centre offers real charm, along with a stunning sea view. It’s also in the Old Town that you can see the Basilica of Saint Michael, the Chapel of the White Penitents, or the Old Château Cemetery.
Parks and gardens
Fontana Rosa
This garden, inspired by Andalusian and Arab-Persian styles, is a tribute to the writers admired by its creator Vicente Blasco Ibáñez in the 1920s. That’s why it’s also called the "Garden of Novelists.".
This garden, inspired by Andalusian and Arab-Persian styles, is a tribute to the writers admired by its creator Vicente Blasco Ibáñez in the 1920s. That’s why it’s also called the "Garden of Novelists.".
Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden
This is a 15,000 m² space where 700 species of subtropical and tropical plants have been planted. The whole area is a pleasant place for a stroll and discovery.
This is a 15,000 m² space where 700 species of subtropical and tropical plants have been planted. The whole area is a pleasant place for a stroll and discovery.
The Madonna Greenhouse
A pleasure garden located on the heights of Menton. Beyond the panoramic views, visitors can explore the full range of Mediterranean plants across a series of terraced thematic spaces.
A pleasure garden located on the heights of Menton. Beyond the panoramic views, visitors can explore the full range of Mediterranean plants across a series of terraced thematic spaces.
What to do in Menton
Climate and weather in Menton
The town enjoys a sunny Mediterranean climate (even subtropical) with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. October and November see the most rainfall, sometimes with violent storms.
Sea temperature throughout the year
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menton | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 14 |
Transport
Getting there
Getting around
Where to stay
Where to eat
Useful addresses
Nearby
Key places of interest near Menton:
Coaraze
This small hilltop village, part of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," is located in the hinterland of Nice. Within a medieval setting, you can discover old stone houses lining steep narrow streets.
This small hilltop village, part of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," is located in the hinterland of Nice. Within a medieval setting, you can discover old stone houses lining steep narrow streets.
Riviera Corniche
This is the scenic route (actually three distinct roads) running from Nice to Menton, offering stunning panoramic views of the entire coastline.
This is the scenic route (actually three distinct roads) running from Nice to Menton, offering stunning panoramic views of the entire coastline.
Monaco
Between Nice and Italy, the tiny principality draws hundreds of thousands of “visitors” every year, whether for luxury stays, day trips, or—more and more—cruises.
Between Nice and Italy, the tiny principality draws hundreds of thousands of “visitors” every year, whether for luxury stays, day trips, or—more and more—cruises.
Nice
France’s fifth-largest city is also the capital of its département. Its climate, beaches, vibrancy, and beauty (especially the Old Town) make it one of the most visited places in France.
France’s fifth-largest city is also the capital of its département. Its climate, beaches, vibrancy, and beauty (especially the Old Town) make it one of the most visited places in France.
Peillon
This is one of the stunning medieval villages in the Alpes-Maritimes. It is perched and located in the Nice hinterland.
This is one of the stunning medieval villages in the Alpes-Maritimes. It is perched and located in the Nice hinterland.
and on the Italian side...
Apricale
With its medieval setting and architecture, Apricale is one of Italy's "most beautiful villages.".
With its medieval setting and architecture, Apricale is one of Italy's "most beautiful villages.".
San Remo
Its original architecture, villas, marina, casino, flowers, and its reputation in rally and cycling make this city near France a fairly touristy destination.
Its original architecture, villas, marina, casino, flowers, and its reputation in rally and cycling make this city near France a fairly touristy destination.
Further reading
Recommended
Old Town (Menton)
★★★ With its narrow streets, small squares, and beautiful ochre façades, the historic centre offers real charm, along with a stunning sea view…
Worth a look / Other
Saint Michael the Archangel Basilica
★★ It sits in the heart of Menton’s historic centre. A beautiful Baroque building dating from the 17th century, it’s remarkable…
Old Château Cemetery
★★ A "romantic" site steeped in history, with a series of terraces offering sea views at the top of the old town. It is the final resting…
Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden
★★ This is a 15,000 m² space where 700 species of subtropical and tropical plants have been planted. The whole area is a pleasant place for a…
Beaches of Menton
★★ The town has half a dozen beaches (mostly pebbled) within its boundaries, including two smoke-free ones.
Russian Orthodox Church (Menton)
★ Built in 1892 in a blend of Russian and "European" styles, the building reflects the strong presence of Russian nobility in the region…
Fontana Rosa
★ This garden, inspired by Andalusian and Arab-Persian styles, is a tribute to the writers admired by its creator Vicente Blasco Ibáñez in…
Regional Prehistory Museum (Menton)
★ In addition to archaeological excavation findings from the region, the museum includes a section on arts, local traditions, and history.
Jean Cocteau Museums
★ The town of Menton is home to two museums dedicated to the artist and writer, featuring the Bastion Museum (a 17th-century fort) and the…
Carnolès Palace
★ This former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco now houses the city's fine arts museum. Its botanical garden, adorned with sculptures…
The Madonna Greenhouse
★ A pleasure garden located on the heights of Menton. Beyond the panoramic views, visitors can explore the full range of Mediterranean plants…