Menton occupies a notable position on the French Riviera, a few kilometers from the Italian border, where the Maritime Alps descend into the Mediterranean Sea. This unique geographical location has shaped a town with a dual character, where French and Italian architectural influences blend naturally. Visitors can explore botanical gardens like Val Rahmeh and Serre de la Madone, religious sites such as the Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel and the Chapel of the White Penitents, as well as museums dedicated to art and local history. The waterfront is organized around the Menton Garavan Port, beaches, and the Promenade du Soleil which runs along the coast. Cultural heritage can be found particularly at the Jean Cocteau Museum Collection Séverin Wunderman, housed in a modern building by the water, and at the Palais Carnolès, a former summer residence of Monaco’s princes transformed into an art museum. The Halles Market offers regional products and local specialties each morning, while the Old Castle Cemetery perched on the heights provides an expansive view of the bay and reflects the city’s history through its 19th-century funerary monuments.
Menton, France
Menton Garavan Marina is located in the eastern part of the city near the French-Italian border. This marina provides 482 berths for boats of various sizes and features modern facilities for boat owners. The harbor displays Mediterranean architecture with design elements reflecting the Italian influence of the region. The marina serves as a departure point for boat trips along the Côte d'Azur and offers access to nearby beaches and coastal towns.
Menton, France
The Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden was established in 1905 and covers one hectare on a hillside above Menton. The collection includes over 1500 plant species from subtropical and Mediterranean climate zones across five continents. The garden houses specimens from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania, featuring citrus trees, palms, succulents and tropical food plants. The grounds were acquired by the National Museum of Natural History and now serve as a research site for acclimatizing exotic species. The terraced layout creates various microclimates that allow cultivation of delicate plants. Visitors can walk along paths through bamboo groves, avocado trees and rare pepper plants.
Menton, France
The Musée Jean Cocteau is housed in the Bastion, a 17th-century fortress on Menton's waterfront. The Séverin Wunderman Collection presents works by French artist Jean Cocteau, including drawings, paintings, ceramics, and tapestries. The building itself was decorated by Cocteau in the 1950s and features his characteristic mosaics on the exterior walls.
Menton, France
The Serre de la Madone Garden spans 8 hectares and was created between 1924 and 1939 by Lawrence Johnston, a British landscape architect who also designed Hidcote Manor Garden. This botanical garden houses an exceptional collection of exotic plants that Johnston brought back from his numerous expeditions to Africa, Asia, and South America. The terraced layout combines different garden styles and showcases rare subtropical species, including palms, citrus trees, and ornamental shrubs. The mild climate of Menton favors the growth of this diverse vegetation.
Menton, France
The Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel was built in the 17th century in Baroque style on the highest point of Menton's old town. The building features a facade with Corinthian columns and a 53-meter-high bell tower. Inside, visitors can see religious frescoes, a gilded high altar, and paintings by Ligurian artists. The basilica forms an architectural ensemble together with the Chapel of the White Penitents and the paved square, dominating the historic center of the town.
Menton, France
The Musée Jean Cocteau Collection Séverin Wunderman opened in 2011 on the harbor of Menton and houses the world's largest public collection of works by the French artist and poet. The museum's architecture was designed by Rudy Ricciotti, combining concrete with large glass surfaces. The permanent collection includes over 1,800 works from different periods of Cocteau's career, including drawings, paintings, ceramics, manuscripts, and photographs. The museum complements the nearby Bastion Museum, which is also dedicated to the artist.
Menton, France
The Old Castle Cemetery was established in the 19th century and sits on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This burial ground contains the graves of notable residents who lived in Menton. The tombs display various architectural styles and periods of funerary art. The site provides insight into the history of the town and its inhabitants. The elevated position offers visitors views of the coastline and the old town below.
Menton, France
The Palais Carnolès was built in the 17th century as a summer residence for the Princes of Monaco. The building now houses the municipal fine arts museum, displaying a collection of over 300 European paintings spanning from the 13th to the 20th century. The adjacent garden features a significant collection of citrus trees with more than 130 varieties from different regions worldwide. The permanent exhibition includes works by Flemish, Italian and French masters, showcasing religious scenes and portraits from several centuries.
Menton, France
The Chapel of the White Penitents was built in the 17th century by the religious brotherhood of the same name. The building houses wall paintings from different periods and features a rich Baroque interior with gilded stucco decorations. The facade displays classical characteristics of the Counter-Reformation. This religious building is located in the historic center of Menton and bears witness to the religious history of this town on the French Riviera.
Menton, France
The Marché des Halles has supplied residents and visitors of Menton with fresh produce for generations. Every morning, regional vendors offer fruit, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, olives, and spices. The covered market is located in the center of the old town and allows direct contact with local producers. Beyond the food stalls, visitors find Provençal specialties such as socca, pissaladière, and olive oil from the surrounding area. The market opens daily except Mondays and provides an authentic opportunity to discover the culinary traditions of the Côte d'Azur.
Menton, France
Casino Barrière de Menton is located on the Promenade du Soleil with views of the Mediterranean Sea. The gaming floor features slot machines, roulette tables, and card games including blackjack and poker. The on-site restaurant serves French and Mediterranean cuisine. The establishment hosts regular events and concerts. Built in the 1930s, the building combines classical architecture with contemporary gaming facilities.
Menton, France
The Plage des Sablettes extends along the Menton waterfront and offers a sandy shoreline lined with palm trees that provide shade for visitors. This beach area features a supervised swimming zone and is located within walking distance of the historic town center. Several restaurants and beach bars line the promenade, allowing guests to enjoy regional dishes while overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The beach is suitable for families and provides basic facilities including showers and restrooms.
Menton, France
The Annonciade Monastery sits on a hillside above Menton, offering views over the town and the Mediterranean Sea. The complex was established in the 17th century by the Capuchin order and includes a simple chapel and maintained gardens. Visitors can walk through the outdoor areas and observe the religious architecture. The ascent to the monastery follows steps and pathways that wind through Mediterranean vegetation.
Menton, France
Spanish writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez designed this garden between 1922 and 1924 as a tribute to literature. Fontana Rosa features numerous ceramic decorations depicting scenes from works by Cervantes, Dickens and other authors. The property combines Mediterranean vegetation with colorful azulejos and architectural elements in Valencian style. Fountains, arbors and ceramic-decorated benches structure the space, while rose bushes and citrus trees line the pathways. The estate served as the author's winter residence and reflects his connection to Spanish culture.
Menton, France
Parc du Pian is a public park in Menton that spans several terraced levels. The park features playgrounds designed for children of different ages, shaded pathways beneath Mediterranean trees, and numerous benches throughout the grounds. This green space serves as a recreational area for families and provides a retreat within the city. Visitors can walk along maintained lawns and enjoy views of the surrounding hills.
Menton, France
This museum presents archaeological findings from the region, including stone tools, bones and other prehistoric objects. The collection documents human settlement along the coastal area from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age. Information panels explain the different prehistoric periods and the way of life of early inhabitants. Located in Menton's old town, the museum displays results from excavations in caves and sites throughout the surrounding area.
Menton, France
Villa Maria Serena is a 19th-century residence located in Menton. The property features gardens designed in French and Italian styles, with landscaped flower beds and Mediterranean vegetation. The villa combines Belle Époque architecture with outdoor spaces that showcase plants typical of the Côte d'Azur region. The estate is situated in a neighborhood known for its historic villas.
Menton, France
This Russian Orthodox church was built in the early 20th century and displays the typical features of Orthodox religious architecture. The building contains an iconostasis separating the altar from the nave, along with religious wall paintings following Byzantine tradition. The architecture combines traditional Orthodox elements with the climatic requirements of the Côte d'Azur. The church served the Russian community that settled in Menton during the early 20th century.
Menton, France
The Promenade du Soleil stretches for two kilometers along the coastline of Menton, connecting the old port to the Italian border. This wide seafront walkway is lined with palm trees and provides direct access to several pebble beaches. Walkers can enjoy views of the Mediterranean Sea and observe the pastel-colored facades of the buildings that line the route. The promenade passes through different neighborhoods of the city and features restaurants, cafés, and public gardens along its length.
Menton, France
The Biovès Gardens stretch along Avenue Boyer and Avenue de Verdun in the heart of Menton. This public park was created in the early 20th century and connects several green spaces through tree-lined paths with fountains, sculptures and flower beds. Every February, the gardens transform into the venue for the Lemon Festival, where monumental sculptures made from citrus fruits line the pathways. During the rest of the year, the path offers a pleasant walk among palm trees and Mediterranean plants, with benches for resting under shaded trees.