In the lesser-known ‘lemon capital of Europe,’ visitors can explore its colourful old town, stunning gardens, beautiful beaches and even attend its annual citrus-themed festival – with flights from the UK costing as little as £40.
Menton, situated between Nice and Monaco in southeastern France, is fast becoming a bucket-list destination for those looking to ditch the crowds and high costs typically associated with the likes of St. Tropez and Cannes.
With a population of around 30,000, the town offers a homely, village-feel, making it the perfect choice for tourists hoping to relax and take in the sights at slower pace.
Located on the eastern edge of the French Riviera at the Franco-Italian border, Menton boasts plenty of picture-postcard beaches along the Mediterranean coast.
At Plage des Sablettes, visitors are treated to turquoise waters, white sand stretching for miles, and a picturesque view of Menton’s sunset-hued old town.
Menton also enjoys a mild subtropical climate throughout much of the year, with average daily highs sitting at 25C from June to September, and temperatures plunging to around 9C in January.
The town’s rustic Mediterranean vibe is reflected in waterside seafood spots serving up French and Italian cuisine – along with its striking buildings, famously painted in warm shades of red, orange, and yellow, along with soft pinks and coral tones.
Thanks to its mild climate, the commune is characterised by its abundance of lush gardens, exotic plants and private citrus gardens, while mountainous areas surrounding the town gives sweeping views of forests and alpine meadows.
Menton, situated between Nice and Monaco in southeastern France, is fast becoming a bucket-list destination for those looking to ditch the crowds and high costs typically associated with the likes of St. Tropez and Cannes
With a population of around 30,000, the town offers a homely, village-feel, making it the perfect choice for tourists hoping to relax and take in the sights at slower pace
Located on the eastern edge of the French Riviera at the Franco-Italian border, Menton boasts plenty of picture-postcard beaches along the Mediterranean coast
As a ‘City of Art and History,’ Menton is also home to a range of significant cultural sites such as the Bastion Museum, designed by Jean Cocteau, and the Baroque Saint-Michel-Archange Basilica.
At Jardin du Palais Carnolès, visitors can wander around two-hectares of public grounds and marvel at 130 varieties of citrus trees.
Speaking of citrus, Menton’s admiration for all things lemon runs so deep that it hosts its own Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) each year, adding to its status as the ‘Lemon Capital of Europe.’
Held in February, the festival transforms Menton into a golden, citrus-themed wonderland with parades, street markets, workshops taking place across the town, along with and giant citrus sculptures erected in the Jardins Biovès.
For two weeks, visitors can wander around lemon-themed shops selling zesty goods, from lemon soap to infused olive oil.
The festival is a celebration of local lemon cultivation dating all the way back to 1341, according to the Menton Riviera Merveilles Tourism Board.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, it had become a major trade in Menton, with millions of lemons exported annually.
To visit the picturesque town, UK holidaymakers can hop on a direct flight with easyJet for as little as £38 from London to Nice – the nearest airport to Menton.
The town’s rustic Mediterranean vibe is reflected its striking buildings, famously painted in warm shades of red, orange, and yellow, along with soft pinks and coral tones
Thanks to its mild climate, the commune is characterised by its abundance of lush gardens, exotic plants and private citrus gardens, while mountainous areas surrounding the town gives sweeping views of forests and alpine meadows
In Menton, waterside seafood spots serve up French and Italian cuisine
Menton’s admiration for all things lemon runs so deep that it hosts its own Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) each year, adding to its status as the ‘Lemon Capital of Europe’
Held in February, the festival transforms Menton into a golden, citrus-themed wonderland with parades, street markets, workshops taking place across the town, along with giant citrus sculptures erected in the Jardins Biovès
For two weeks, visitors will discover lemon-themed shops selling zesty goods, from lemon soap to infused olive oil
To visit the picturesque town, UK holidaymakers can hop on a direct flight with easyJet for as little as £38 from London to Nice – the nearest airport to Menton (pictured, British tourist Shanu)
From there, visitors can either catch a bus, or for a quicker journey, take a £5 train – which runs every 30 minutes – along a scenic coastal route directly to the town.
Meanwhile, one little-known Greek island remains a well-kept secret – and it’s quietly becoming a paradise for those looking to escape the chaos.
Situated 51km southwest of Mykonos, the island of Antiparos is emerging as a hidden gem in the Aegean Sea.
Boasting turquoise blue waters, ancient caves, lively bars and local cuisine that won’t break the bank, Antiparos offers all the charm of popular Greek hotspots – at a fraction of the cost.
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