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What to do around Menton Discover the town and its surroundings

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What to do around Menton Discover the city and its surroundings in style

Are you tempted by the dolce vita of Menton, Riviera & Merveilles? With its mild, sunny climate and Mediterranean charm, our pearl of the Riviera will win you over. And while we love to explore it in all seasons, its winter charm has that little something extra that makes you slow down… And what a pleasure! Not sure where to start? Good news: we’ve got plenty of ideas for activities in and around the city. Just follow the guide!

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©Cycling along the Menton coastline Lesconteurs

    A thousand and one ways to explore Menton

    On foot, by bike or even on the water, there are as many ways to visit Menton as there are people. From its typical narrow streets to its wonderful gardens and iconic basilica, we take you on a tour of France’s most Italian town.

    Saddle up in the heart of Menton

    Did you know? You can visit Menton on an electric bike! And yes, you can hire a two-wheeler to ride from Vieux Menton and its cobbled streets to the Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange, riding quietly along the seafront, lulled by the sea air and the azure colours of the Mediterranean. Walk up Boulevard Garavan, or through Latte to Italy. And don’t forget to stop off at the Halles market to stock up on 100% Menton products, such as barbajuans, sugelli and the tasty pichade.

    Taking a sun & towel break on the beach

    At the beach, there are always two teams: those who want to get wet, and those who prefer to stay dry on the sand. The good news is! Whatever your tastes, Les Sablettes beach knows how to combine the two. You can also simply relax on the terrace with a glass of local lemonade!

    Titillate your taste buds with your feet in the water

    Enjoying a good meal by the sea changes everything! A day in Menton is also an opportunity to sit down at a restaurant on the Mediterranean. We’ll have the fish of the day, freshly caught this morning, if you please!

    ©Menton Plage Deserte Et Paddle
      ©Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh Menton Pango Visual|PANGO

        Learn all about the history of Menton

        Fancy a trip back in time? Go to the foot of the Old Town, on the esplanade des Sablettes, and push open the door of the Voûte du Patrimoine. While the view over the Bay of Garavan is breathtaking, you can also linger here to gain a better understanding of Menton’s history. Models of the Old Town, the Hôtel Pretti and the Astoria, and an exhibition on Menton in the 17th century will appeal to history buffs.

        Menton is not only French at heart: a rebel town with Monegasque influences, it also has an Italian flavour in every stone, in its colourful streets, its accent and its art of living.

        And if you want to find out more, pick up the perfect book in the shop!

        Take a deep breath of nature

        If clean air rhymes with greenery, it’s far from a coincidence! ! Menton, a veritable garden city, boasts no fewer than 8 outstanding gardens. So if you want to breathe (at last), take a stroll through the Val Rahmehbotanical garden. Lotuses and water lilies bloom in the ponds, while a whole collection of daturas perfume the atmosphere. Keep an eye out for some rare specimens that have been introduced to the garden. Can you find them?

        ©Sentier Le Corbusier Chemin Du Littoral Roquebrune Cap Martin 1

          Getting away from it all around Menton: a walk or a hike?

          The C@ptivante walk in the footsteps of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin celebrities

          Coco Chanel, Jacques Brel, Joséphine Baker, Winston Churchill, Web Ellis and artists such as Claude Monet and Le Corbusier… These iconic figures from the past invite you to the heart of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin for a captivating walk! Simply scan the QR codes next to the sculptures to hear their stories. And they have so much to tell you!

          Food lovers beware!

          Need to stock up on local produce? Take a stroll around the 20 stalls of the Gustave Eiffel covered market in Beausoleil! Fresh fish, colourful fruit and vegetables, and homemade tapenades are sure to delight the most discerning gourmets. See you there?

          A visit to Beausoleil is also an opportunity to take a stroll through the town before hitting the road again. From villas to Belle Époque palaces such as the Grand Hôtel des Ambassadeurs and the Riviera Palace, this town nicknamed the “Balcony of the Mediterranean” is sure to impress.

          ©Covered walk Gustave Eiffel Beausoleil Pango Visual|PANGO
            ©La Turbie Village Walking Couple|Mat Ruffray

              A perched visit

              Menton, Riviera & Merveilles, is a paradise for hilltop villages! We take you to…

              • La Turbie, with its air of Italy, Roman fountains, cobbled streets and vaulted passageways, medieval walls and the majestic Trophée d’Auguste, a reminder of the grandeur of the Roman Empire.
              • Sainte-Agnès, the highest coastal village in Europe, with its steep streets and fort steeped in history (and one of the most beautiful villages in France!).
              • Castellar, with its 12,000 years of history and its breathtaking views of the azure Mediterranean.
              • Gorbio, a charming medieval town, with its impressive elm tree in the village square and its famous Moulin.
              • Castillon, city of the arts on the Route des Grandes Alpes, with its soul of craftsmanship and its many workshops. There’s also the Caramel Viaduct, which offers one of the most breathtaking views of the Merveilles train loop.
              • La Brigue, with its Notre-Dame des Fontaines chapel (France’s “Sistine Chapel”!) and its brigasque sheep.
              • Sospel, for its exceptional natural setting in the heart of the verdant Bévéra valley, at the southern gateway to the Mercantour National Park.
              ©Domaine De La Maison Gannac Menton Citron

                On the road near Menton!

                In pursuit of the golden fruit

                You love Menton Lemon… but do you really know it? In the heart of Menton or in the surrounding valley, set off to meet passionate producers and artisans ! Who knows, they might even give you a few good tasting tips? And don’t forget: it’s especially good in winter, and can be enjoyed in its entirety thanks to its tender, fragrant albedo.

                It smells good over here

                The same colour as the Citron de Menton, the groves of mimosa blossom along our destination’s footpaths! Depart from the Tourist Office and embark on a new adventure in the valleys of the Pays Mentonnais. On the programme: discover their location and their many benefits. All you have to do is put on your hiking boots!

                And to go (even) further afield, head for the Principality of Monaco and Italy

                Do you still have a thirst for discovery? Menton, Riviera & Merveilles is just a few kilometres from the Principality of Monaco and Italy. It’s also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of this town, a veritable link between three countries, where each culture has left its mark and shaped its unique heritage.

                The Rock, Italy and Menton: a closely linked history

                Perched on the Rock, Monaco-Ville embodies the historic soul of the principality, with its ancient streets and iconic sites such as the oceanographic museum and exotic gardens. The history of Menton, which has long been linked to that of Monaco, is an integral part of this borderland between France and Italy: bought by the Grimaldis in 1346, the town remained in the Monegasque orbit for almost five centuries, before seceding from Roquebrune in 1848.

                This shared history naturally extends to neighbouring Italy, through villages with a rich heritage such as Dolceacqua, Apricale and Rocchetta Nervina, testimony to a shared Mediterranean culture.

                Rue Longue Vieille Ville De Menton Laurene Phillipot - Carnetdescapades.com MinRue Longue Vieille Ville De Menton Laurene Phillipot - Carnetdescapades.com Min
                ©Rue Longue Vieille Ville De Menton Laurene Phillipot - Carnetdescapades.com Min

                  What to do around Menton: we answer your frequently asked questions! frequently asked questions

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