Menton is a picturesque town with stunning landscapes and a mild Mediterranean climate. The city’s rich history is evident in its architecture, with buildings dating back to the 17th century. The Basilica of St. Michael is a majestic church with breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Menton is famous for its beautiful gardens, one of the most notable being the Jardin Serre de la Madone. And the beaches of Menton are incredibly attractive. With crystal clear waters and golden sand, these paradise coasts offer ideal conditions for sunbathing, swimming or simply relaxing. For the active, there are water sports such as diving, paddleboarding and jet skiing. Every year, the city organizes a Lemon Festival, during which carts made entirely of lemons parade. Try local wines and enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
Location
Menton is a town and commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France. It is part of the Monaco-Menton metropolitan area.
Jean Cocteau Museum – Severin Wunderman Collection
Jean Cocteau, an artist active in literature, drama, poetry, cinema, painting, drawing, lithography, ceramics and even tapestries. The Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton pays tribute to the work and life of one of the greatest French artists of the 20th century. In 2005, the merger with the Wunderman donation considerably enriched the collections, which now include more than 2,000 works.
Musée Jean Cocteau – Le Bastion
The Bastion Museum is a museum of works by Jean Cocteau, on the harbour wall of Menton. The Bastion was built in the 17th century by Honoré II, Prince of Monaco. Cocteau restored the Bastion himself, decorating the alcoves, reception hall and outer walls with mosaics made from pebbles. The Bastion Museum opened in 1966, three years after Cocteau’s death.
Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Menton
The Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange in Menton is frequently visited and photographed by tourists for its stunning Baroque architecture and breathtaking views of the sea.
The tower was built in 1701 and is 53 meters high, dominating the village. The current façade was rebuilt in 1819. The colorful cobblestones in the square are arranged to form the Grimaldi coat of arms. Inside, there is an interesting 17th-century organ. The Menton Classical Music Festival is celebrated in this church every August.
Palais de l’Europe (Palace of Europe)
The Palais de l’Europe, built by architect Hans-Georg Tersling in 1908-1909, originally housed Menton’s former municipal casino.
The Palais de L’Europe in Menton, located in the city center, is designed to host various cultural events. The ground floor is occupied by the Tourist Office and the Municipal Library, and part of the upper floor is occupied by the Billiards Academy.
Jardin botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton
The exotic garden of the Val Rahmeh belongs to the Museum of Natural History, at Menton. It presents numerous plants and flowers of the hot countries in an ambiance expressive of the fragile beauty of a far away world.
Plants at the service of beauty and supporting scientific research: A place to relax with a unique microclimate, facing the sea and sheltered by the ”Bercea” Mountain. This oasis of peace and silence offers all year its multiple and coloured vistas.
Serre de la Madone
Listed as a historical monument, the garden still holds countless rare plants and species today. It houses three remarkable plant collections, including the Proteaceae with their stunning flowers and vibrant colors, the Araliaceae featuring the impressive Tetrapanax, and the Pittosporaceae with their intoxicating fragrances. Beyond its conservation function, the garden contains numerous specimens from around the world, thoughtfully arranged in a place with a unique, timeless charm.
Rosa Fountain
In 1922, Vincente Blasco-Ibañez, politician and writer, bought in the heart of the agreste Garavan, a property called Fontana Rosa. He found there what he had long sought in his life in exile: calm and isolation.
He patiently created in this garden a corner of his native Valencia: historicized ceramic tiles, pergolas, ponds and planters with brilliant decorations. This place of memory, planted with the busts of his favorite writers, is the subject of a real renaissance.
Casino Barrière Menton
Casino Barrière Menton: Table games, slot machines, dining on the terrace or bar, restaurants, a nightclub, and conference and event spaces. Palm trees, arcades, and Art Deco architecture with Moorish touches characterize this magnificent building dating back to 1934. The Casino Barrière Menton is a 900-meter-long gaming area with slot machines, electronic roulette and blackjack, blackjack tables, English roulette, and Ultimate Hold’em poker.
