Sophie SchmerberHere, there’s a real feel of ‘La Dolce Vita’. You’ll marvel at every street corner. Menton is the ultimate place to get away from it all, offering a unique combination of serenity and authenticity. Being in Menton is like stepping into another world.
It is impossible to come to Menton without paying a visit to the historic old town. From the Italian border to Cap Martin, your eye is drawn to an array of colourful facades. Wander through the network of narrow streets some sunlit and warm, others shaded and cool. Step back in time, from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period. Having climbed the majestic slopes leading up to Saint-Michel Basilica, take a moment in the square! Enjoy the dramatic mood of this Baroque setting! The view overlooking Les Sablettes Beach and the old port is well worth the climb. From here, by following the narrow steps, you reach the Vieux Chateau cemetery, which dominates the site and offers a breathtaking view of the entire bay. A stroll into times gone by!
The gardens in Menton unveil a history that dates back to the 18th century. Attracted by the mild climate and the city’s popularity as a winter residence, botanists, especially English ones, introduced tropical and subtropical species that were wonderfully suited to Menton. The legacy of this period is an array of magnificent gardens! Maria Serena, Serre de la Madone, Fontana Rosa, Clos du Peyronet, Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden and Les Colombières Garden are almost all open to the general public. Discover this botanical heritage through our guided tours!
As the last remains of the ancient city of Podium Pini, from the site of the ancient 10th century chateau, it overlooks the sea and surrounding mountains. This is the only 16th century cloister that is still intact and was originally built in 1520 by Jacquette de Lonsac. Its exquisite collection of listed ex-votos is well worth a visit. The oldest, to be found in the crypt of the chapel, is a magnificent gilded wooden Annunciation, dating from 1642. The magnificent panoramic view over Menton is one not to be missed…
From 1869 onwards, thanks to its train service, Menton became an international holiday destination. Several palaces were built, featuring Neo-classical, Italian and Art Nouveau styles, leaving their elegant imprint on Menton. Among the most iconic are the Riviera Palace in Beausoleil, a jewel of the Belle Epoque, the Hôtel Impérial in Menton, one of the last palaces built in Menton by the architect Hans-Georg Tersling, the Winter Palace, the Grand Hôtel d’Orient, and the Grand Hôtel de Venise now known as the Orangeraie.
In 1892, the Orthodox church was built with funds raised by the Grand Duchess Anastasia, granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I. Designed by the Danish architect Hans Georg Tersling, the church was consecrated on 24 October, in 1892. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St Nicholas. This church, combining Eastern and Western styles, bears witness to Russia’s presence in Menton. The sanctuary with the altar is, as in all Orthodox churches, separated from the rest of the church by a partition called the “iconostasis”, whose icons were painted at the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, some of which are in a Romantic style by the painter Brioullov.
