Menton lemon: top 3 activities to fill up on vitamins!

Activities around the Menton lemon

Looking for a refreshing day out? Head for Menton, lemon paradise! The golden fruit is a veritable institution here. And with a climate as mild as ours, the IGP Menton Lemon thrives in the hands of our passionate growers!

For the duration of a seedless day, discover this golden citrus fruit in a multitude of ways: with the famous Fête du Citron®, along the bucolic Route du Citron, or on the menus of our prestigious chefs… Unless you’d rather take up the challenge of cooking it yourself?

Here’s our top 3 ways to fill up on vitamins in Menton! A gourmet bonus has been added at the end of the article…

Squeezing your way through the Fête du Citron® in Menton

Every year, the town of Menton organizes a colorful (yellow) event: the famous Fête du Citron®! Known the world over, the citrus fruit is honored during the second half of February. For the duration of the festivities, the Biovès gardens host an exhibition of citrus motifs, while corsos adorned with the golden fruit proudly criss-cross the Promenade du Soleil. On Sundays, they parade in rhythm with brass bands and folk groups!

And when night falls, the Fête du Citron® gets even crazier! The illuminated corsos parade on Thursday evenings to music and dance from all over the world. A must-see!

Get out your diaries!
In 2024, the 90th Fête du Citron® de Menton will take place from Saturday February 17 to Sunday March 3.

I'm off to the Fête du Citron® in Menton!

The little plus

Take advantage of the Fête du Citron® to visit the orchid and craft fair at the same time!

Fete Du Citron 89eme Edition Credit Ville De Menton

Citron-de-menton@MaisonduCitron-copie.jpg

Discover tangy lemon activities

A real star in Menton, lemons can be discovered through a multitude of activities. From production to tasting, you’ll see every facet of this golden fruit! In the city center or in the valleys of Menton, a multitude of good addresses await you! Discover on your own with MyVizito.

Explore the Lemon Route

Handicrafts

Lemons are so popular in Menton that they’re even used in local crafts! Don’t miss the chance to pick up some magnificent lemon ceramics at the Faïences Mentonnaises workshop.

Making local products

Want to bring home the flavours of Menton? Head to these little stores selling local specialities to fill your basket:

Pasta Piemonte: treat yourself to Menton Lemon ravioli and fresh artisan pasta.
Maison Herbin: enjoy Menton Lemon jams and other citrus-based products.
Menton Côté Citron: enjoy products made with Citron de Menton and other citrus fruits.
La Mentounasc: discover unique Menton Lemon beers!

The producers

During your day around Menton Lemon, don’t miss a visit to a production of the golden fruit:

Lemon De Menton Maison Gannac Julien Perrin

The Palais Carnolès citrus garden

In Menton, citrus fruits are king! There are 137 citrus trees in the citrus garden of the Palais Carnolès. Take a bucolic stroll through the former residence of the Princes of Monaco, and enjoy the scent of sweet orange, sour orange and kumquat trees.

Chef Mauro Colagreco Restaurant Mirazur Menton Uqonic Chefs

Treat yourself at the chefs’ table

If Citron de Menton has found its way into the restaurants of our destination’s top chefs, why shouldn’t you?
At the Mirazur restaurant, Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco sublimates Menton Lemon in his dishes. Fascinated by the golden citrus fruit, he has even joined the association for the promotion of Citron de Menton, becoming an IGP-accredited producer himself! Citron de Menton certainly knows how to charm.

More info right here!

Bonus: cook up a vitamin-packed recipe!

What better way to remember Menton than to learn how to cook with lemon? Here’s our recipe for… Pasta al limone (lemon pasta)! You’ll need

Tagliatelle
butter
Parmesan cheese
Menton lemons, of course!
Fresh basil
Salt and pepper

Preparation:

Cook the tagliatelle in a pan of boiling salted water.
Squeeze the juice from the Menton lemon and remove the zest.
Melt the butter in a frying pan over low heat and add the lemon juice and zest.
Allow the sauce to thicken for 2 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
Add the pasta to the sauce with a ladleful of cooking water. Mix well… and it’s ready!

Bon appétit!

Frequently asked questions about Menton Lemon

We've got your back!

What is a real Citron de Menton?
The Citron de Menton is more than just a lemon: it is distinguished from others by its elliptical shape, its aroma, its mild acidity, the thickness of its skin and its color, which changes according to the time of year (light yellow at the start of cultivation, bright yellow when ripe). The fruit must not be waxed or treated in any way!
What is the PGI for a Citron de Menton?
The IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée – Protected Geographical Indication) serves to homogenize the production of Citron de Menton. A true guarantee of quality, it allows us to obtain a fruit that respects a certain charter, and thus its terroir. As a PGI holder, Citron de Menton is the only French lemon to have obtained this label.
What are the highlights of the Fête du Citron® in Menton?
Every year, when the town of Menton organizes the Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival), we can look back on the following highlights:
Golden Fruit Corsos
The night corsos
The orchid and craft fair
Citrus motifs exhibition
What is the theme of the next Fête du Citron® in Menton?
In 2024, the theme of the next edition of the Fête du Citron® will be “The Olympic Games from Antiquity to the Present Day”.
What is the history of the Fête du Citron® de Menton?
The city of Menton’s Fête du Citron® dates back to 1875, when a group of Menton hoteliers suggested that the municipality organize a parade to entertain the wealthy clientele who came to enjoy the mild Côte d’Azur winter climate. Over the years, this festival has become emblematic of the region, and is now known the world over!
Where do the citrus fruits for the Fête du Citron® de Menton come from?
Since Menton Lemon is a rare product and even protected by a PGI, it is not used on the Fête du Citron® corsos!
What happens to citrus fruits after the Fête du Citron® in Menton?
The 140 tons of citrus fruit are sold to Mentonnais and holidaymakers after the festival.

Other activities

to discover

Fete Du Citron 2024 Nageur Jradins Bioves Menton Rivera Merveilles

Fête du Citron®

Discovering Menton’s hidden treasures

Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh Menton Pango Visual Min

Escape into the Gardens