Menton Old Town
The square in front of Saint-Michel Basilica
A theatrical setting
At the top of the majestic steps is the square, formed of stone walls bearing the Grimaldi family coat of arms, and the superb Baroque ensemble of Saint-Michel Archangel Basilica and the Chapel des Pénitents Blancs. Take a moment to appreciate the view overlooking the bay of Les Sablettes! The magic of this place is captivating! If you’re visiting with children, they’re sure to enjoy running around the square!
Note that each summer this theatrical setting hosts the Menton Music Festival one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world. An exceptional open-air musical experience!
Notez que ce décor théâtral accueille chaque été le Festival de musique de Menton, l’un des plus anciens et plus prestigieux au monde. Une expérience musicale exceptionnelle à ciel ouvert !
Saint-Michel Archangel Basilica
The beating heart of Baroque
This jewel of Baroque art was built in 1639 and overlooks the old town from its 53m high bell tower, the symbol of Menton. Step inside and feast your eyes on trompe-l’œil paintings by Cerrutti-Maori in the main vault and an amaranthine Genoa damask that captures the building’s Baroque heritage.
A Village
In the heart of the city
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. A charm with Italian accents radiates from this place. Having climbed the majestic steps 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 Chapel of
Pénitents Blancs
The Chapel de l’Immaculée Conception (of the Immaculate Conception) or Pénitents Blancs (White Penitents) was built between 1680 and 1687. This fine example of art during the Catholic Reformation was home to the brotherhood of the Pénitents Blancs. It was restored in 1987, and, covered in draperies, it offers a spectacular display of Baroque art. Take advantage of the public opening times to visit the chapel!
A Long Road
A little-known gem
A narrow street, lined with colourful facades, in all kinds of yellows and oranges. A few steps further, you come across a number of old-fashioned stalls, with softly lit lanterns. Shutters are opened at the first cool of the day, and laundry hangs out of the windows to dry. Time seems to stand still in these alleys. Artists’ studios appear to pop up all around. There is an atmosphere of yesteryear along this ancient Roman thoroughfare, running through the old town. The street is a long one and, between you and me, you might hope never ending. This is where you’ll find the real Menton!
The Vieux Chateau Cemetery
A picturesque spot in the heart of the city’s old town
From this extraordinary view, you can look out across the city and the bay, from Cap Martin to Italy. Wandering from one terrace to the next, you pass by the tombs of the old families of Menton, alongside those of some foreigners, most notably Anglo-Saxons and Slavs. Some prominent figures such as Hans-Georg Tersling, the famous Danish architect, and William Webb Ellis, the inventor of rugby, are buried here. An intriguing detail is the grave of Princess Janina Jelowickich, which portrays a young woman emerging from her tomb.
