Fete Du Citron 2026 Le Corso @villedementonLemon Festival®
Fête du citron® (Lemon Festival)
The origins of carnival
At a time when winter visitors came to forget the winter in the mild climate of the Côte d’Azur, some hoteliers in Menton suggested that the town council organise a parade to liven up the town and entertain their wealthy clientele. The year was 1875, and the first parade was an instant hit with the people of Menton, artists and palace-goers looking for fun in the cooler months.
Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival)
A carnival of lemons
In the 19th century, Menton was Europe’s lemon capital: the quality of its golden fruit was such that the town was already known as the “Lemon Rock”. It wasn’t until 1929 that the lemon joined the carnival. That year, a hotelier organised an exhibition of citrus fruits and flowers in the gardens of the Hotel Riviera. It was such a success that the carnival took to the streets the following year, with a parade of citrus-filled carts accompanied by charming Mentonnaises. In the end, the carnival’s local flavour was self-evident. In 1934, the town council gave it the name Fête du Citron® that it still enjoys today.
89eme Fete Du Citron Exposition Des Motifs Dagrumes Credit Ville De Menton 8
An event with international
internationally
In 1936, the six-day festival took over the Biovès gardens for the first citrus fruit and flower exhibition. François Ferrié was commissioned to design the floats of lemons and oranges and the motifs in the gardens, most of which were flat. After the war, which marked a pause in the organisation, the motifs grew in height and took on volume. In 1955, the parade became a corso and adopted an annual theme. The 1970s marked the beginning of the internationalisation of the event. 1984 saw the first edition of the Orchid Show, which still accompanies the Fête du Citron® today.
The highlights
of the Lemon Festival
Every day since 1936, for the duration of the festival, the Boviès gardens have hosted an exhibition of citrus fruit designs. Year after year, the exhibition has become more creative and more surprising. When night falls, the citrus decorations change atmosphere, and the gardens become Gardens of Light, a time for mystery and reverie.
On the Promenade du Soleil, the Golden Fruit corsos are a lively affair, with brass bands and folk groups marching between the citrus floats in the parade.
As for the night corsos on Thursdays, they wake up the town as soon as night falls. The parade of floats stretches out in a festive atmosphere to the rhythms and sounds of world music and dance. The evening ends with a magnificent fireworks display.
90eme Fete Du Citron Corso Nocturne Copyright Ville De Menton
90eme Fete Du Citron Menton Copyright Ville De MentonBehind the scenes
of the Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival)
The Fête du Citron® welcomes 200,000 visitors over the course of the event. No fewer than 300 professionals are mobilised to organise it.
To meet the needs of the festival, 120 tonnes of citrus fruit are shipped in from all over the world, and 1,000,000 rubber bands are needed. The citrus fruits, which used to be strung together in garlands with wires running through them, are now bound together with elastic bands. Finally, 15 tonnes of metal are forged for the armatures of the floats.
Fete Du Citron 2025 Jardins Bioves Lise LeleuSpecial Lemon Festival® FAQs
everything you need to know about the Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival)- What is the theme of the 92nd Fête du Citron®?
In 2025, the theme of the 92nd Fête du Citron® is ” The wonders of life “.
- What are the dates of the Fête du Citron® 2026?
The next Fête du Citron® will take place from 14 February to 1 March 2026.
- Where can I buy tickets for the Fête du Citron® 2026?
To buy your tickets for the Fête du Citron®, there are two links to remember:
- Individual (up to 19 people) 👉ticket office
- Group (20 people or more): group ticket office
- What are the highlights of the Lemon Festival®?
Every year, the Lemon Festival® is punctuated by several highlights:
- Golden Fruit Corsos: Sundays 15, 22 February and 1 March 2026
- Night Corsos: Thursdays 19 and 26 February 2026
- Orchid and Winter Garden Show – adult admission €2
- Citrus Motifs exhibition – free admission
- Craft market – free admission
- How to get to the Fête du Citron®?
To take part in the Fête du Citron®, you can :
- Come by car / carpooling
- Come by train 👉 the easiest way! Extra trains run for the carnival festivities, check out the TER/ZOU timetables and offers here!
From Nice :
The Zou! 600 and 601 buses (in the evening) take you to Menton in around an hour, via the coast and Monaco.
Line 80 takes you from Menton to Nice (airport) via the motorway in around 75 minutes.Getting around Menton or from your car park:
Shuttles and buses available - Where can I park to go to the Fête du Citron® in Menton?
The town of Menton provides free parking. Signs at the various entrances to the town indicate the different parking areas (for cars, camper vans, buses, etc.).
For Sunday corsos, we strongly recommend that you arrive in Menton before 11am.
The easiest way to get to Menton is via the ZOU! train network .
- Where can I take my motorhome during the Fête du Citron®?
During the Fête du Citron®, the P4 Koaland car park is open to motorhomes on Sundays from 8am to 7pm and on Thursdays from 5pm to midnight (subject to change).
Please note
- limited spaces
- information subject to change
We encourage you to use public transport.
- Can I bring my pet to the Fête du Citron®?
For health and safety reasons, animals are not allowed in the parade route or in the Palais de l’Europe.
- Video preview of the Fête du Citron® 2024
Book your visits, activities and shows!
Download our MyVizito application and discover the Lemon Route. Visit the Lemon Route, discover products made with Menton Lemon and meet those who are passionate about the “golden fruit”!
