Menton is a city located at the extreme South-East of France, on the border with Italy. It is part of the French Riviera, and enjoys a mild and sunny Mediterranean climate.
It is famous for its lemon cultivation, which is the source of its fame and wealth. It is also a prime location for water sports, thanks to its seaside location and the diversity of its activities.
Menton, the city lemon
Menton is nicknamed the "pearl of France" or the "city of lemons." Indeed, it is the birthplace of the Menton lemon, a citrus variety that has benefited from a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since 2015. The Menton lemon is characterized by its oval shape, bright yellow color, thick, fragrant skin, and juicy, tangy flesh. It is grown on the hills overlooking the city, in terraced gardens called "restanques." It benefits from an exceptional microclimate, which allows it to withstand cold and disease. It is harvested by hand from November to March and used in many sweet and savory recipes, such as lemon tart, lemon rice salad, or lemon chicken.
Menton pays tribute to its iconic fruit with the Lemon Festival, held every February since 1934. It's a popular and festive event that attracts thousands of visitors. The program includes parades of floats decorated with lemons and oranges, exhibitions of giant citrus sculptures, musical entertainment, street performances, gastronomic competitions, and a local produce market. Each year, the Lemon Festival chooses a different theme, which inspires the artists' creations. In 2020, the theme was "World Festivals."
Menton, the city of water sports
Menton is also a seaside town, offering numerous opportunities for water sports. It has a marina that can accommodate over 700 boats and offers high-quality services and facilities. It also boasts a fine sandy beach that stretches over 2 km, which is supervised and well-equipped. It is bordered by a pedestrian promenade, which is ideal for strolling and relaxing.
Menton is also an ideal place for water sports, which are accessible to all levels and ages. Activities include:
- The sea kayak, which allows you to discover the beauty of the coastline, its coves, its caves, and its marine fauna. The Menton Nautical Center organizes trips supervised by qualified instructors, who adapt to the pace and desires of the participants.
- The stand-up paddle, which involves moving upright on a board using a paddle. It's a fun and relaxing sport that requires balance, coordination, and muscle strengthening. The Menton Water Sports Center also offers stand-up paddleboarding initiations and rentals.
- The scuba diving, which offers the opportunity to explore the seabed, rich in biodiversity. Menton has several diving sites, which are suitable for beginners as well as experienced divers. You can admire wrecks, drop-offs, caves, and various species, such as groupers, moray eels, barracudas, or seahorses. Menton Diving Club welcomes divers of all levels, and provides them with the necessary equipment and supervision.
- The Sheer, which allows you to enjoy the wind and waves, while learning the basics of sailing. Menton has a sailing school, which offers courses and lessons in light sailing, on catamarans, dinghies, or windsurfing boards. It also organizes regattas and sea trips, for the more experienced.
Menton is a city that combines charm and tradition, with its lemon culture, and modernity and dynamism, with its water sports. It is a destination that seduces with its diversity, its gentle way of life, and its proximity to Italy, the eternal city...
Report and photos: Patrick Koune
