By Enzo
Menton beaches
The Sablettes beach, about 350 meters long near the old harbor, is the closest to the old town. Some sectors are public, others are private beaches. Fossan beach is another option.
Table of contents(12 sections)
Things to do in Menton
The 10 best things
to do in Menton
I ranked them in the order of a walking visit, from the old town to the gardens. Prices and hours come from official sites in October 2026. To place Menton among the other towns, I gathered the whole coast in my guide to the French Riviera.
- 01Old town
The old town
Founded in the 13th century, it runs from the former castle down to the sea, with lanes and stepped streets that form a maze. The pedestrian Rue Saint-Michel, with its restaurants and shops, is its backbone. Allow half a day to get lost without rushing.
- Price
- Free
- Open
- Year round
- Time
- 3 hours
- 02Basilica · View
Saint Michael's basilica
Its orange bell tower has dominated the old town since the 17th century, and its square hosts the Menton music festival in summer. It is also the best viewpoint over the rooftops and the bay.
- Entry
- Free
- Time
- 30 minutes
- 03Viewpoint
The Old Castle cemetery
Set 63 meters (about 207 ft) above the sea, on the site of the former castle, it climbs in terraces with graves of all origins. The view stretches from Italy to Cap Martin. It is one of the quietest viewpoints in town.
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Daily, 7 am to 5 pm all year
- 04Market
The Halles market
In a municipal hall completed in 1898, about thirty traders sell fresh produce every day. On Saturdays, extra stallholders set up on Place Fornari and on the Bastion mall. On Mondays, there are very few traders.
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Daily, 8 am to 1 pm
- Time
- 1 hour
- 05Museum
The Jean Cocteau museum, the Bastion
The 17th century fort on the old harbor was restored and arranged by Cocteau himself, down to the pebble mosaics and the staircase. It opened in 1966, after his death. Exhibitions rotate regularly.
- Price
- €5, €3.75 reduced, free on the first Sunday of the month
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Hours
- 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm from July to October
- Access
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 06Garden
The Serre de la Madone garden
A terraced garden laid out from 1924 by the Englishman Lawrence Johnston, listed as a historic monument, with rare plants and three national collections. It is the garden farthest from the center, on the Route du Val de Gorbio: plan on a bus or a taxi.
- Price
- €10, €7 ages 6 to 18 (2026 prices)
- Closed
- Monday, and in November and December
- Hours
- 9 am to 6 pm April to October, 10 am to 5 pm January to March
- Access
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 07Garden
The Val Rahmeh botanical garden
A shaded garden of 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) with fountains, pools, water lilies and about 1,700 identified plants. It takes about an hour and combines well with Garavan harbor.
- Price
- €8, €6 ages 3 to 25
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Hours
- 10 am to 6 pm April to October, 10 am to 5 pm November to March
- 08Garden · Citrus
The Carnolès palace citrus garden
The garden of the Carnolès palace holds a citrus collection described as the largest in Europe, which makes it the most natural visit for understanding why Menton made the lemon its emblem.
- Price
- Free
- Open
- Daily in 2026
- 09Beach · Harbor
The Sablettes and Garavan harbor
The Sablettes beach, about 350 meters (1,150 ft) long, runs along the promenade below the old town. On the other side of the old town, Garavan harbor gives the most photographed view of Menton, with the old town as a backdrop.
- Price
- Free (beach and harbor)
- Beach
- Some sectors are private
- 10Border · Market
The Italian border and the Ventimiglia market
Italy is a few kilometers away. On Fridays, the open air market in Ventimiglia spreads along the seafront, from 6 am to 6 pm in summer and until 5 pm in winter, busiest between 10 am and 1 pm.
- Market
- Friday
- Photo ID
- Bring it
Itinerary
Menton in
one day
One day is enough for the old town, the market and one garden. This order avoids backtracking.
Day 1
Menton in 1 day
- MorningArrive at Menton station, then the Halles market before 1 pm, Rue Saint-Michel, the basilica and its square.
- LunchIn the old town, pichade or socca on the menu.
- Early afternoonThe Old Castle cemetery, for the view over the whole bay.
- Late afternoonThe Cocteau museum, open from 2 pm to 6 pm, then the Sablettes.
- EveningSunset over Garavan harbor and dinner in the old town.
- Watch out for TuesdayThe Cocteau museum and Val Rahmeh are closed on Tuesday, and the Serre de la Madone on Monday. If you come on a Tuesday, stick to the old town, the market, the cemetery and the beaches.
Day 2
If you have two days
- MorningVal Rahmeh, then the Carnolès palace citrus garden.
- AfternoonThe Serre de la Madone, if it is open.
- VariationCross the border on a Friday for the Ventimiglia market.
By interest
What to do in Menton
for every kind of trip
For free
The old town, the Halles market, the Old Castle cemetery, the beaches and Garavan harbor cost nothing. The Cocteau museum is free on the first Sunday of the month. You can fill a day without buying a single ticket.
For gardens
Menton has several gardens open to the public: the Serre de la Madone, Val Rahmeh, the Carnolès citrus garden, Fontana Rosa, Maria Serena and the Biovès gardens. Some close for several months a year: check before you come.
When it rains
The Cocteau museum and the covered market are indoors. Save the gardens and the cemetery for a break in the weather.
With kids
The Sablettes and Garavan harbor suit an easy stroll. The Cocteau museum takes little time. With young children, plan a lighter day: the Cocteau museum and the Serre de la Madone are not wheelchair accessible, which can complicate a stroller.
Where to base yourself
Menton's neighborhoods
at a glance
The town stretches between Cap Martin and the Italian border. Here are the areas to know.
| Neighborhood | Feel | What to see |
|---|---|---|
| Old town | Lanes and stairs, restaurants, lively | Basilica, cemetery, Rue Saint-Michel |
| Center and Biovès | Shops, central, near the station | Halles market, Biovès gardens |
| Sablettes and old harbor | Seafront, promenade | Beach, Cocteau museum |
| Garavan | Residential, calm, hills | Garavan harbor, Val Rahmeh |
| Carnolès | Further west, residential | Carnolès palace and its citrus garden |
Where to stay in Menton
Menton is easy to visit as a day trip from Nice, but the town's calm outside the high season is a good reason to sleep there. The old town and the center let you do everything on foot, and Garavan is quieter. I give no hotel prices until I have a dated record.
Getting around Menton
The center and the old town are walkable. From Nice, the regional train takes 41 minutes on the fastest services and 47 minutes on average, with 63 departures a day, the first at 5:49 am and the last at 11:22 pm (timetable for Saturday, October 10, 2026). Some trains make extra stops at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Carnolès, which adds about ten minutes. Menton is easy to reach from Nice, the best base for getting around without a car. Flying in? Here is how to get to Menton from Nice airport.
Calendar
The Menton
Lemon Festival
The 2027 Lemon Festival runs from February 13 to 28, 16 days, on the theme "Douce France". People who get free entry (under 6, disability cards) still need a ticket. Dates, tickets and the program are in my guide to the Lemon Festival. In February, book early: Menton fills up and the festival overlaps with the Nice Carnival.
All events
Where things are
Map
of the must-sees
The ten places in this guide. Hover over a name to find it on the map.
Keep going
More towns in the south to discover
Your questions
Frequently asked
questions about Menton
How do you spend one day in Menton?
Start with the Halles market, before 1 pm, then the old town and Saint Michael's basilica. After lunch, climb to the Old Castle cemetery for the view, then visit the Cocteau museum from 2 pm. End at the Sablettes or Garavan harbor.
Is Menton worth visiting?
Yes, if you like gardens, small towns and a calm pace. Menton has a well preserved old town, remarkable gardens, a mild microclimate and the Italian border a few kilometers away. It is an easy day trip from Nice by regional train.
What day is the market in Menton?
The Halles market is open every day, in the morning until 1 pm, but there are very few traders on Monday. On Saturday, extra stallholders set up on Place Fornari and on the Bastion mall. The big Ventimiglia market takes place on Friday, in Italy, close by.
What is Menton known for food-wise?
The lemon is the town's emblem, and lemon jam is a local specialty. Menton cooking also includes barbajuans, pichade, socca and fougasse mentonnaise. You find them in the old town and at the market.
Is there a direct train from Nice to Menton?
Yes, most regional trains between Nice and Menton are direct, in 41 to 47 minutes. There are 63 departures a day between 5:49 am and 11:22 pm (checked on October 10, 2026). Some trains make extra stops, which adds about ten minutes, and one late evening service needs a change at Monaco.
When is the Lemon Festival in 2027?
The Lemon Festival runs from February 13 to 28, 2027, 16 days, on the theme "Douce France". Tickets are sold online. Children under 6 get free entry but still need a ticket.
Sources
- 01Menton Riviera & Merveilles Tourist Office, "What to do in Menton, our 10 must-sees"basilica, gardens, FAQ, market · accessed 10/15/2026
- 02City of Menton, Sightslist of sites, gardens, museums · accessed 10/15/2026
- 03Côte d'Azur France, 10 things to see and do in Mentonspecialties, market, beaches · accessed 10/15/2026
- 04Côte d'Azur France, Jean Cocteau Bastion Museumprices, hours · accessed 10/15/2026
- 05Côte d'Azur France, Serre de la Madone gardenprices, hours · accessed 10/15/2026
- 06Côte d'Azur France, Val Rahmeh botanical gardenhours · accessed 10/15/2026
- 07Côte d'Azur France, Menton Halles marketdays and hours · accessed 10/15/2026
- 08Côte d'Azur France, Menton Halleshistory, construction · accessed 10/15/2026
- 09Côte d'Azur France, Old Castle cemeteryhours, free entry · accessed 10/15/2026
- 10France.fr, Mentongardens, climate, old town, Cocteau · accessed 10/15/2026
- 11SNCF Connect, Nice to Menton trainsduration, frequency · accessed 10/15/2026
- 12Lemon Festival, official site2027 dates, theme, ticketing · accessed 10/15/2026
- 13La Drôme Montagne, Ventimiglia marketday and hours · accessed 10/15/2026
Guide author
Who writes this guide
Enzo
passionate about the French Riviera
The French Riviera has been my passion for years. I explore its towns, beaches and hotels to bring you the addresses and advice I would like to receive before every trip, from Menton to Saint-Tropez.
- years exploring the Riviera
- 8
- hotels tested
- 14
- stays on the Coast
- 26