Menton, France – One of the Riviera’s Best-Kept Secrets

Affiliate Disclosure: This Menton, France post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own.

INTRODUCTION

I’ll admit, prior to booking a last-minute girlfriend getaway to the French Riviera, I had never heard of the town of Menton. Truthfully, I only stumbled upon it when I realized that most of the hotels I was eyeing up in more familiar coastal towns—like Nice, St. Tropez, and Cannes—were either fully booked or wildly overpriced.

Discovering Menton felt like unearthing a hidden gem—I mean, just look at it! And within this charming town, we were lucky to find exactly the kind of boutique hotel we were seeking for our Côte d’Azur getaway. (I’ll tell you all about the recently reimagined Hôtel Gabriel Menton a little later.)

Menton turned out to be the perfect home base for exploring the French Riviera by train, with plenty of time leftover at the end of each day to meander through its colorful, picture-perfect streets, pop into a museum or two, and grab a lovely dinner along the seafront.

So, if you’re looking for a smaller, quieter place to stay along the French Riviera—or want to stretch your budget a bit further—I wholeheartedly recommend Menton.

Please use the following menu to navigate to what you need quickly, but I suggest starting with a sneak peek of Menton in this 15-second YouTube short.

MENTON VIDEO (15 SEC.)

ABOUT MENTON, FRANCE

The picturesque town of Menton is located on the eastern edge of the French Riviera, right at the Franco-Italian border. In fact, Menton has the last train stop on the coast before entering Italy. (We learned this the hard way when, too deep in conversation, we found ourselves in the neighboring country!)

Way back in the 14th century, Menton was actually part of Italy—or more precisely, the Republic of Genoa—only officially becoming part of France in 1861 (rather reluctantly, through annexation). Today, the Italian influence is everywhere in Menton, but most prominently in the cuisine.

This town is exceptionally pretty, with colorful buildings climbing the hillside that frame a crescent-shaped sandy beach and a protected marina. With a population of around 30,000, Menton has more of a village feel—perfect for those who prefer a quieter pace. By comparison, bustling Nice is home to nearly a million people! And with train stations at both ends of town, day trips along the French Riviera are so easy!

In addition to its colorful architecture and gorgeous beaches, Menton is famous for two things: sunshine and lemons. Many visitors flock to its sandy shores to escape dreary northern weather. In fact, Menton enjoys around 300 brilliant, cloud-free days a year! (Though, in true travel irony, we managed to catch one of its rare rainy spells in April.)

Then there are the Menton lemons. Thanks to a unique microclimate of mild winters, ample sunshine, and protection from harsh winds, lemon trees flourish, producing fruit that is unusually juicy and sweet. The lemon motif is everywhere in town, especially in shops geared towards visitors—think tea towels, shopping totes, and every other kind of citrus-themed souvenir you can imagine. (Truthfully, the overarching lemon theme ran just a titch touristy for my taste.)

MENTON, FRANCE MAP

Before I dive into everything I want you to see in Menton, here’s a handy map for your convenience. Use it to zoom out and get a sense of where Menton sits in relation to Italy and other towns along the Riviera. On it, I’ve marked all of my favorite attractions, as well as train stations, recommended restaurants, and hotels.

To take a look at it, just click on this Menton map link or on the image below for an interactive version.

THINGS TO DO IN MENTON, FRANCE

For some of you, simply wandering through Menton and discovering its charm organically might be enough. But if you want to make sure you don’t miss any highlights, here are my top recommendations for the best things to do in Menton.

1. STROLL THE PROMENADE

Menton’s seaside promenade—officially known as the Esplanade des Sablettes—was beautifully redesigned in recent years, and I have to say, they did a fantastic job. Fully accessible and laid out over two levels, it’s the perfect place for a stroll, a roll, a ride, or a run. Lined with palm trees, benches, sun loungers, restaurants, and beach clubs, it has something for everyone. We found ourselves drawn to it every day of our stay in Menton.

The promenade runs for about 700 meters. If you carry on around the corner to the south-west along Promenade de la Sol, you can walk for several kilometers.

For some truly lovely photos of Menton, follow the breakwater to the end of the marina towards the Saint Michael statue. From there, you can get some incredible panoramic shot of the city while admiring the classic boats lining the docks.

2. VISIT A MENTON BEACH CLUB

Menton has several private beach clubs, including La Pergola Beach and Les Sablettes Beach Club. While the weather wasn’t quite on our side during our visit, I had my eye on Les Sablettes for its stylish setup and solid reviews (for both food and service).

Le Sablettes has a really easy online booking system—you can even choose your exact lounger location on the beach in advance. To learn more or reserve directly, see the Les Sablettes Beach Club website.

3. CLIMB LES RAMPES SAINT MICHEL

Directly behind Les Sablettes Beach in Menton you will see Les Rampes Saint-Michel – a grand staircases that connect the waterfront to the Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange at the top of the Old Town.

The stairs may seem a little daunting to climb, but they aren’t actually that steep and you’ll quickly become distracted by the incredible views. I swear, I must have taken 50 photos on the way up!

NOTE: Should you wish to visit the basilica, it is typically open in the later afternoons (3-5pm), while mass on Sunday is at 11am. See the Basilica Saint-Michel-Archange website.

4. EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN

When you reach the top of Les Rampes Saint-Michel, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of Vieux Menton—the Old Town. Take some time to explore the narrow lanes and admire the colourful buildings, courtyards and gardens that seem almost impossibly stacked into the hillside.

As you wander, you’ll catch glimpses of the sea and come across small galleries, cafés, and tucked-away wine bars. It’s a great place to get a little lost.

If you’re looking for something more in-depth, you might want to book a historical walking tour. There are a few options listed on Viator.

• Scenic Walking Tour of Menton’s Old Town (2hrs)

5. VISIT THE JEAN COCTEAU MUSEUM

Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) was a celebrated French poet, artist, filmmaker, and playwright known for his surrealist and avant-garde contributions to 20th-century art and culture.

He had a deep connection to Menton, especially later in life, where he decorated the Salle des Mariages (Wedding Hall) and designed the Bastion Museum, a restored 17th-century fort that houses many of his works.

While the striking Musée Jean Cocteau (above) has been closed for several years following severe storm damage, visitors can still explore his art at the nearby Bastion Museum.

For current exhibition information and hours, see the Le Bastion Jean Cocteau website.

La Salle des Mariages can also be visited (limited hours, weekdays only). Learn more on the Ville de Menton website.

6. STROLL RUE SAINT MICHEL

Rue Saint-Michel is Menton’s charming pedestrian thoroughfare, lined with beautiful buildings, lemon trees, inviting cafés, chocolatiers, wine bars, and boutique homeware shops. Yes, it’s a bit touristy—but also very charming and absolutely worth a stroll.

And of course, no seaside French town would be complete without a classic carousel for the kids (or the kid in you)!

Along your stroll, you can visit Les Halles Market, a Belle Époque gem built in 1898, where vendors sell fresh produce, regional specialties, and Menton’s famed lemons. From this cobblestone street, it’s easy to continue on to the beach or wander deeper into the Old Town.

If you explore the little streets behind Rue Saint-Michel, you’ll come across some interesting vintage and antique shops. L’Usine Centre d’Antiquité Brocante is a particularly fun place to get lost in for a while.

I was also charmed by the eclectic collection at the home décor store Maison Haute, located on Rue de la République.

TIP: For planning purposes, keep in mind that many retail stores close between 12–3 pm, and restaurants often shut down between 2:30 and 7 pm.

7. VISIT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS

Originally a private estate, Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh was transformed into a tropical garden in 1905 by British General Lord Radcliffe, who named it after his wife. It was later expanded by botanist Miss May Bud Campbell, known for introducing rare species—especially from the nightshade family. Today, it’s managed by the National Museum of Natural History.

The garden is open year-round (closed on Tuesdays). Audio guides are available for a small fee of 1 euro. Guided tours (in French only) are offered daily at 10:15 a.m. for an additional fee of 2 euros per person. There is also a small café and gift shop on site.

Learn more at the official Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh website.

Want a look around before planning a visit? Take a quick peek at the garden in this two-minute YouTube video.

8. ATTEND A FESTIVAL

While our timing in Menton didn’t coincide with any festivals, the town is famous for several unique celebrations. Unsurprisingly, one of them revolves around the Menton lemon! The Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) is a vibrant event held each February–March. It features elaborate sculptures and floats made entirely of (real) citrus fruit.

In late summer, the Menton Music Festival draws classical music lovers from around the world with open-air concerts in stunning venues like the Saint-Michel Basilica.

For a full list of events, visit the Menton event page.

9. DAY TRIPS FROM MENTON

One of the best things about staying in Menton is how easy it is to explore the surrounding area. In just four days, we visited Nice, Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the Fondation Maeghth sculpture gallery near Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

If you’re traveling by car, you’ll have lots of freedom (as long as you don’t mind winding roads). Without a car, we found the train system exceptionally fast and easy to use.

From Menton, you can reach Monaco in 15 minutes, Èze in 19 minutes, Nice in 24 minutes, and Cannes in about an hour.

Although we didn’t make it this time, the medieval village of Sainte-Agnès sits just above Menton. You can get there by direct bus (about 40 minutes) or taxi (13 minutes). It’s officially one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and is known for its cobbled streets, mountain views, and hilltop fortress.

WHERE TO EAT IN MENTON

As mentioned earlier, many Menton restaurants lean toward Italian fare (and honestly, who doesn’t love Italian?). But if you look a little closer, you’ll find a surprisingly diverse culinary scene—including classic French cuisine for those craving a more traditional taste of France.

From Michelin-starred dining to casual bistros, this small town offers no shortage of great options. Here are several notable Menton restaurants to consider:

MIRAZUR

Perched on a hillside above Menton, Mirazur is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Mauro Colagreco. Known for its garden-to-table approach, it was ranked the best restaurant in the world in 2019. Reservations are essential. For bookings and to learn more, see mirazur.fr.

LES GASCONS

A newer addition to Menton’s dining scene, Les Gascons offers hearty southwestern French cuisine. It’s gaining attention for its flavorful dishes and warm atmosphere – I predict some kind of Michelin acknowledgement in its future. (It was one of our most memorable meals of this trip.) For reservations and a visual guide see Les Gascons on Instagram.

JR BISTRONOMIE

Located near the sea and Jean Cocteau Museum, JR Bistronomie offers modern French cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Chef Jérôme Rigaud’s menu features dishes like tomato tarte tatin and confit lamb shoulder. For more information, visit jr-bistronomie-restaurant-menton.com.

APERITIVO

For a pre-dinner drink and snack, Persephine (@persephonementon)is a cozy wine bar with a great selection of French and Italian wines, plus excellent charcuterie boards.

Nearby, L’Art du Vin (@l.artduvin) doubles as a wine shop and bar, perfect for a relaxed glass and a nibble in the heart of town.

GELATO

For artisanal gelato, Maison Meloni is a top pick, known for its house-made flavors using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Also worth a stop is Demontis, serving authentic Italian-style gelato in generous scoops.

WHERE TO STAY IN MENTON

Menton is a compact town, and most hotels are within easy walking distance of the main beach promenade. If you plan to explore by train, it’s worth checking the walking distance from your hotel to the nearest station. One is on the west side of town (Menton Station) and the other is on the east side (Menton-Garavan Station) near the Italian border.

The town offers a mix of charming boutique hotels and more modern stays. These three stand out for their comfort, style, and convenient location.

HOTEL GABRIEL MENTON

The stylish and affordable Hotel Gabriel reopened its doors in 2025 after an extensive renovation. It’s located just two blocks from the main pedestrian street and about 250 meters from the beach. It offers a sunny terrace, cozy bar, and bright breakfast room.

The hotel has 35 rooms decorated in a fresh Neo Riviera style. Ours was quiet and comfortable, with air conditioning, soundproofing, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi. Some rooms also have balconies with views over the town.

As an added bonus, we found the staff to be exceptional—they were so warm and helpful, and made great recommendations to makes sure we had the best possible stay in Menton.

Check rates for the Hotel Gabriel Menton on Booking.com or Expedia.

HOTEL DE LONDRES

Hôtel de Londres is a great little find in the heart of Menton. Housed in a restored wing of the historic Palais Astoria, the property has been stylishly renovated in an Art Deco style, with 28 thoughtfully designed rooms.

While compact, the rooms are soundproofed, air-conditioned, and equipped with smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, and eco-friendly bath products. There’s also a lovely garden terrace where you can enjoy a drink from the bar or relax after a day of exploring.

Check rates for the Hotel de Londres on Booking.com or Expedia.

VILLA GENESIS

Villa Genesis is a 30-room, luxury hotel located just 100 meters from the beach. The hotel offers a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a garden, a terrace, and a bar. Guests can enjoy gourmet breakfasts and easy access to Menton’s old town and attractions.

All rooms and suites at this luxury Menton hotel are equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, soundproofing, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are fitted with Italian marble showers or bathtubs, and come with plush bathrobes and designer toiletries.

Check rates for the Villa Genesis on Booking.com or Expedia.

MENTON VACATION RENTALS

A vacation rental in Menton can also be a great option if you’re staying more than a few days or traveling with family or friends. Rentals often offer excellent value, with more space, kitchen facilities, and large outdoor areas like terraces or balconies.

See Menton’s top vacation rentals with VRBO and Booking.com.

TIP: Personally, I always start by filtering out any properties that have received an average guest rating of less than 9 out of 10.

MENTON HOTELS MAP

If you haven’t quite found what you’re looking for, here’s an interactive Menton hotels map where you can explore more options. 

GETTING TO MENTON

Despite its location at the far eastern edge of the French Riviera, Menton is surprisingly easy to reach—whether you’re arriving by train, plane, or car. Having driven the winding coastal roads in the past, I now have a deep appreciation for the simplicity and comfort of train travel, especially when navigating this scenic (but occasionally hair-raising) region.

MENTON BY TRAIN FROM PARIS

There are no direct trains from Paris to Menton, but the journey is straightforward. It takes just over 6 hours and begins at Paris’s Gare de Lyon, with one easy connection in Nice.

Menton has two train stations: the main Menton Station on the west side of town, and Menton-Garavan Station on the east, closer to the Italian border.

GETTING TO MENTON BY AIR

If you’re flying, the closest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE), which is well connected to major cities—including Montreal, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles.

From the airport, you can rent a car, take a taxi or Uber, or hop on a train (one easy connection).

• See Nice Airport Car Rentals
• See Private Car Service to Menton

We took an Uber from NCE to Menton when we arrived, since we were wiped from an overnight flight. The cost was about 55 euros. On the way back, we took the train. Not only had we become pros at Riviera train travel, but a return taxi or Uber from Menton to the airport was considerably more expensive (100–120 euros).

The train was simple, with one quick transfer at Nice Saint-Augustin Station to the red tram just one level down. This tram offers free service straight to Terminals 1 and 2.

GETTING AROUND MENTON

If you like getting your daily steps in and don’t mind a few stairs, Menton is a very walkable town. Taxis are also quite readily available for longer trips. There is Uber service in Menton (we used it to get to the train station at the end of our trip) but I wouldn’t say that the cars are plentiful.

Menton offers a convenient and eco-friendly electric bus service (La Navette) that makes it easy to get around the city. The service includes several routes connecting key areas such as the town center, train station, and beachfront. And the best part? It’s free!

Day trips to towns along the French Riviera are super easy, especially with a train station on each side of town. We downloaded the SNCF Connect app ahead of time for schedules and would simply buy a ticket once we were at the station. Tickets are occasionally checked by agents coming by on the train. (We were checked once in about 8 trips.)

TIP: Make sure to take a seat on the ocean/south-facing side of the train. This allows you to enjoy some spectacular coastline views!

BEST TIME TO VISIT MENTON

The best time to visit Menton is from late spring to early fall, when the weather is warm, sunny, and ideal for enjoying the beach and outdoor cafes. May, June, and September are especially pleasant—offering great weather without the peak summer crowds. February is also a unique time to visit if you want to experience the famous Menton Lemon Festival.

LEARN MORE

I hope this post on Menton, France answered all of your questions. If there is anything else you need help with, please feel free to reach out to me via direct message on Instagram, Facebook or by email.

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