As you make your way along the French Riviera, the last town before crossing into Italy is Menton, often called the pearl of the Côte d’Azur. The citrus-hued old town blends French and Italian cultures so seamlessly, it feels like you’ve landed somewhere along the Ligurian coast – only with better croissants.
Wandering through the old town, I heard just as much Italian as French, spotted more pizzerias than pâtisseries, and caught myself thinking: is this really France? The longer I explored, the more convinced I became. Menton might just be the best town in the world. Where else can you sit down to a plate of fresh pasta, pick up a flaky pastry for dessert, and feel like you’re traveling through two countries at once?
Even if you don’t have time to spend a night or two here, Menton makes for a lovely day trip from Nice or other nearby towns. You can easily see the old town in half a day, but I suggest you plan for a full day to spend time at the beach as well.
This guide covers the best things to do in Menton, including what to see, where to eat, and where to stay.
Menton, France Travel Guide Quick List
Stay: Villa Genesis; Hotel de Londres; Hotel Lemon
Do: Escaliers Saint-Michel; Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange; Plage des Sablettes Ouest; Le Marche des Halles de Menton
Eat: Avé Pâtisserie; Sini; Mirazur
Best Things to do in Menton, France
Escaliers Saint-Michel
This yellow and orange staircase zigzags its way all the way up the hillside to Basilica of Saint-Michel. Built in 1753 by Prince Honoré III of Monaca, it connects the upper and lower parts of Menton, and is one of the most photogenic spots in the city.
Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange
From nearly anywhere in Menton, you’ll spot the yellow bell tower of the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange. If you want to visit this 17th-century church, plan your visit for the afternoon. It’s only open for a couple of hours each day, typically from 3 to 5 PM (double-check hours before you go), and is closed on Sundays.
Viewpoint near the Cemetery
From the basilica, wind your way up the maze of narrow streets, past the Cimetière du Vieux Château, until you reach this viewpoint at the top. It’s one of the best views of Menton, overlooking the port, terracotta rooftops, and the coastline all the way to Italy.
If you have time, the cemetery is worth a quick walk around.
Explore Menton’s Picturesque Streets
Like most small towns in Europe, one of the best things to do in Menton is simply wander. Spend a couple of hours getting lost in the historic center, weaving through cobblestone alleys and climbing the narrow staircases that twist up the hillside.
The old town is compact, but full of beauty at every turn. Here are a few streets not to miss:
- Rue du Vieux Château – A quiet alley that winds its way up toward the cemetery. The views of the bell tower along the way are lovely.
- Rue Longue – One of the most photogenic streets in town, lined with tall, colorful buildings, overgrown greenery, and laundry strung between windows.
- Rue Saint-Michel – This is Menton’s main pedestrian street. While it can get crowded, it’s full of local boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Chances are, you’ll find yourself here more than once.
Le Marche des Halles de Menton
This well-stocked indoor market is one of the best I’ve been to in France. It has everything you need, whether you’re grocery shopping for the week or picking up picnic supplies for the beach. You’ll find stalls selling bulk grains, local cheeses, cured meats, pre-made dishes like tomates farcies, fresh bread, and seasonal produce.
Spend the Afternoon at the Beach
The best way to spend a day in Menton is to explore the old town in the morning and then head to the beach for the afternoon. There are a few beaches around Menton and here are three of the best ones to consider:
Plage des Sablettes Ouest
This is the most scenic beach in Menton, with the colorful old town behind you and beautiful coastal views in the distance. The beach is pebbly, the water is calm and shallow, and there’s plenty of space to lay out a towel and relax.
Free, clean toilets are nearby, and the old town is just steps away, making it easy to grab food or drinks throughout the afternoon.
Plage des Sablettes Est
Just a short walk beyond Sablettes Ouest, this is pretty much the same beach, just further down the coast.
Plage de Fossan
A long, narrow pebbled beach just west of Menton’s old town, Plage de Fossan is a nice, clean beach with uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters.
Take in the Views from Quai Impératrice Eugénie
For the best view of Menton, head to Quai Impératrice Eugénie, you can find it on Google Maps here. Another great view is just nearby at the Port des Sablettes, which you can find here.
Both spots are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, but even during the middle of the day, the views are stunning.
Musée Jean Cocteau – Le Bastion
Jean Cocteau is one of my favorite 20th-century artists. I first fell in love with his work during a Schiaparelli exhibit I saw in Paris a few years ago, he collaborated with the designer on several pieces, and ever since, I’ve been determined to see his work wherever I can.
In Villefranche, I made sure to visit the chapel he painted, and in Menton, you can stop by a small museum housed in a 17th-century fortification that features a modest collection of his works.
Just keep in mind, the museum is quite small. The original Cocteau museum, the Séverin Wunderman Collection, has been closed for several years due to storm damage, and there’s still no update on when it will reopen.
For information on tickets and opening hours, visit the museum’s website.
Fête du Citron
Thanks to Menton’s subtropical microclimate, it’s an ideal place to grow citrus, and for centuries the town has been known for its lemons. All around town, you’ll find lemon-themed shops selling everything from lemon soap to olive oil and other zesty goods.
To celebrate this tradition, every year in February, Menton hosts a two-week Lemon Festival. Over 200,000 people come for the parades, sculptures made entirely of citrus, and markets. If you’re visiting in the winter, it’s definitely worth adding to your calendar.
For more information on the next festival, visit the official Fête du Citron website.
Where to Eat in Menton
- Avé Pâtisserie: An amazing pastry shop with buttery, flakey viennoiseries and beautiful pastries, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
- Edwige Coffee: We were in search for a smoothie and this is the only place that came up on our map. Lovely owner and the smoothies were fresh and just what we needed.
- Mitron Bakery: Come here for the lemon tart.
- Sini: Foccacia pizza by the slice. We got this for a quick lunch
And a few places that were on my list but we didn’t get to…
- Mirazur: A 3-star Michelin restaurant with incredible sea views. Reserve your table well in advance.
- L’Orangerie: Mediterranean cuisine reimagined with a Japanese twist.
- Le Bistro des Jardins: French bistro fare with terrace seating.
- Pizzeria 430gradi: A highly rated pizza spot.
Where to Stay in Menton
- Villa Genesis: A 5-star luxury hotel with an infinity pool located just outside of the old town.
- Hotel de Londres: An affordable boutique hotel with stylish rooms and within walking distance to the old town.
- Hotel Lemon: A quaint, family-run hotel close to the center.
- Hotel Chambord: Amazing location in the heart of town with well-decorated rooms.
When to Visit Menton
Menton gets over 300 days of sunshine a year, with mild winters and warm, dry summers. We visited at the end of June, and it felt like the ideal time with plenty of sun, perfect beach weather, and the excitement of early summer in full swing.
June can be busy, though, so if you’d prefer fewer crowds, aim for May, September, or even early October, when the weather is still warm enough for the beach. Fall and winter are great for a quieter trip, especially if your focus is exploring nearby towns rather than swimming.
How to Get to Menton
By Car
We rented a car for our French Riviera trip and drove to Menton from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for the day. The drive took just under an hour.
If you’re on the fence about renting a car on the Riviera, here’s what I recommend. Rent one if you want the flexibility to explore at your own pace or plan to visit smaller towns that aren’t easily accessible by train.
If you’re sticking to the main coastal towns like Menton, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco, or Cannes and want to save on costs, the train and bus system works just fine.
We rented our car from DiscoverCars.com.
Parking
We parked at Parking Interparking Vieille Ville, a convenient underground lot just a short walk from the center. It cost €2.30 per hour, and when we arrived around 9:30 a.m., there were plenty of spots available. By the time we left in the afternoon, the lot was completely full, so if you’re visiting during high season, be sure to get there early. There’s also an outdoor lot nearby called Parkla, close to where we parked.
By Train
The regional train from Nice to Menton takes about 38 minutes and costs €7.40 each way. The Menton train station is a 15–20 minute walk from the old town, or you can take a short bus ride to the center. Book your tickets online at SNCF.com or at the station.
Popular Day Trips from Menton
- Nice: Spend the day at the beach, stroll through the flower market in the old town, and take in the views from Colline du Château.
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: A ritzy peninsula known for its Belle Époque villas and dreamy beaches. You can get here by bus or car from Villefranche-sur-Mer. Don’t miss the coastal walk and a visit to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
- Èze: A hilltop village just a short bus ride away, make sure to visit the Exotic Garden for the views.
- Monaco: It’s not all luxury and casinos, although if you want to spot fancy cars or splurge on fine dining, this is the place. Tour the royal palace, visit one of the many museums, and wander the cliffside paths above the sea.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: A colorful seaside town with amazing views and a sandy beach.