Fete Du Citron 2026 Le Corso @villedementonFete Du Citron 2026 Le Corso @villedementon
©Fete Du Citron 2026 Le Corso @villedementon

Lemon Festival®

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An event full of colour and flavour

Since 1934, during the second half of February, Menton has hosted an event of international renown: the Fête du Citron®. Also known as the Menton Carnival, the event brings together 200,000 people every year to celebrate a theme that is renewed every year. Menton’s corsos, or citrus float parades, rival the finest carnivals in the world. It’s an event bursting with colour and flavour!

The Fête du Citron® 2026, from 14 February to 1 March 2026, is on the theme of ” The wonders of life “. Are you ready to live the experience?

☎️ For any questions about the Fête du Citron®, call 0 892 438 888 (Service 0,15€/call + call charge)

©Patrick Varotto

    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.

    ©Ville de Menton
      Good to know

      The Lemon Festival is a responsible event: at the end of the festivities, the 140 tonnes of citrus fruit needed to make the floats and motifs are sold to local residents and holidaymakers.

      89eme Fete Du Citron Exposition Des Motifs Dagrumes Credit Ville De Menton 889eme Fete Du Citron Exposition Des Motifs Dagrumes Credit Ville De Menton 8
      ©89eme Fete Du Citron Exposition Des Motifs Dagrumes Credit Ville De Menton 8|varotto patrick
        ©Ville de Menton

          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.

          Did you know?

          The lemons used for the Fête du Citron® designs do not come from Menton. The Menton lemon is a rare product, protected by a PGI, so it’s best to let gourmets taste it.

          90eme Fete Du Citron Corso Nocturne Copyright Ville De Menton90eme Fete Du Citron Corso Nocturne Copyright Ville De Menton
          ©90eme Fete Du Citron Corso Nocturne Copyright Ville De Menton|varotto patrick
            90eme Fete Du Citron Menton Copyright Ville De Menton90eme Fete Du Citron Menton Copyright Ville De Menton
            ©90eme Fete Du Citron Menton Copyright Ville De Menton|varotto patrick

              Behind 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 LeleuFete Du Citron 2025 Jardins Bioves Lise Leleu
              ©Fete Du Citron 2025 Jardins Bioves Lise Leleu

                Special Lemon Festival® FAQs

                everything you need to know about the Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival)

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                Route du Citron

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