Menton, France, is arguably one of the most picturesque towns along the Cote d’Azur. With the colourful facades along the beachfront and the quiet and narrow alleyways of the old town the town has a lot of character. Taking a day trip to Menton is the perfect way to get a feel for the city, and easy if you are staying in one of the other coastal towns! In this one-day itinerary for Menton I will take you through all the best things to do and how to spend your one day to see the best of this beautiful seaside town.
We took a day trip to Menton while spending 7 days in Nice. This town was what made us book the trip in the first place – I had it on my bucket list for years after seeing pictures of the beachfront and knew I would love it! When it came down to it, the one day we spent in Menton was one of my favourite day trips. This was mostly because it was so relaxed. I loved strolling around the quiet old town, spending a few hours sat on the beach, and exploring the village with no real time pressure to see everything. Menton is quite small – especially the older more touristy part – so it is the perfect place for a slow beach day!
Spending more time on the Cote d’Azur? Make sure to check out these guides:
- 7 Day French Riviera Itinerary
- The Best Day Trips from Nice
- Saint Paul de Vence Day Trip Itinerary
- Day Trip to Eze Medieval Village
- All France Guides
So, without further ado, here’s the best things to do during a day trip to Menton!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through the link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only ever promote products and brands I have used and like, and that all links are to trusted websites.
Get to Know Menton: The Capital of Lemon
The more time you spend in the South of France, the more interesting you will discover the history of the area to be. Menton, now one of the towns on the border between France and Italy, has only been French since 1960, previously being ruled by neighbouring Monaco.
Known for its microclimate, with around 316 days of sunshine a year, Monaco today is often referred to as “the Pearl of France”, or “The Capital of Lemon”. The latter referring to the warm temperatures perfect for growing citrus fruits – namely lemon. Lemon is today the towns symbol, and you will see this as you wander around the town. Souvenirs covered in lemons, lemon cakes, and the annual lemon festival which takes place in February and March each year.
Also read: 7 Day French Riviera Itinerary
Things to do in Menton on a Day Trip
Explore the Historic Quarter
The historical quarter or Menton, or the old town, is where the magic of the city really lies. Nestled into the narrow alleyways, hanging bridges and climbing plants, this part of the city is special. Menton is known for the beautiful waterfront view, colourful old buildings lined up against the water, but as soon as you step a few streets back you have it all to yourself. While there’s nothing specific to do in the Historic Quarter but explore, there are a few beautiful spots worth seeking out.
Les Rampes Saint-Michel
Les Rampes Saint-Michel, also known as Escaliers, is the lemon-coloured stairway that leads up towards Menton’s Basilica and the historic quarter. A popular photo spot, the geometric shape and bright colour of the stairs is one of the most visited spots in the city. Walking from Plage des Sablettes to the old town via Escaliers is a must at some time during anyone’s Menton day trip.
Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton
Built in the 17th century and renovated in 2006, the Basilica of Menton is a fabulous piece of baroque style architecture that links the old Menton with the beach town it is today. The terrace looks out over the beach, with swimmers and restaurants sprawled out over the sand, while the interior is classic, with beautiful ornate architecture and frescos lining the ceiling.
See also: Paul De Vence Day: The Beautiful French Walled City
Spend some time on Menton’s Beaches
As I mentioned before, Menton is the perfect beach destination. Being a coastal city, the town is surrounded by different beaches, all with their own specialities. The most popular of the beaches is Plage des Sablettes, the calm sandy beach just below the historic quarter. It’s here that you can swim with the picturesque waterfront view behind you (one of my top moments during our 7 day French riviera trip).
Along the coast you also have Plage du Casino, Plage de Fossan, and the smaller Plage de Garavan. I would say that if you are just making a day trip to Menton then I would focus on spending time on Plage des Sablettes and maybe visiting one other beach, but if you are spending a few days there then of course it is a great opportunity to check them all out!
Tip: The sunset is a beautiful time to swim at Plage des Sablettes. At this time of day, the beach is a lot calmer, and the water turns a magical colour in the reflection from the sun.
Explore the Cemetery of the Old Château
Menton’s cemetary holds a wealth of history, with the old gravestones taking you back to all the residents that have lived in the area throughout time. Walking up here from the old town only takes a few minutes, and not only is there a great view of Menton from here but a chance to explore the past.
Staying longer? Here are all your best hotel options in Menton.
Take in Menton from the Viewpoints
Menton is a city with many viewpoints – whether you are looking for the perfect place to see the seafront, or something higher up looking out over the Mediterranean. A few I recommend are below. If you click on the link, it will take you to the map locations!
Point de vue du Port: If you cross the road from the cemetery, you will find Point de vue du Port, a great viewpoint with views over the whole old town. The walk up is not difficult if you cut through the old town. What I love about this viewpoint is the view over the uneven tiled rooftops in contrast with the blue waters.
Vue Panoramique de Menton: If you have seen any photos of Menton you will probably be wondering where the best spot to see the iconic waterfront is, and this is that viewpoint. To get here, you will want to walk down to the beach and down Quai Impératrice Eugénie. This is a good spot, or you can scramble over the breakwater for a more direct view.
Tip: If you want to take photos of Menton from here then I recommend trying to get there in the morning. The sun sets behind the town so the light can be a lot harsher in the afternoons. Alternatively, sunset and early evening is a great way to capture the lights.
You might like: Get the France Travel Map for all the best spots marked in the French Riviera and beyond.
Eat some local delicacies
Menton: The Capital of Lemon. In this sleepy town you will find lemon flavoured everything – from ice cream and desserts to ravioli and limoncello. As well as lemon flavours, there are a few other traditional foods to try while in Menton and the French riviera.
- Sugelli: A unique type of homemade pasta.
- Barbajuans: Finger food fritters stuffed with Swiss chard, rice and ricotta.
- Pistou: A traditional variant of basil and lemon pesto.
- Pichade de Menton: Bread topped with tomato, onion, anchovies, garlic and olives.
Tip: The best ice cream in Menton comes from Tutti Frutti and the lavender flavour definitely makes top 10 list of all-time favourites.
Wander around the Botanical Gardens
Like other cities on the Cote d’Azur (Monaco and Eze), Menton is home to many beautiful botanical gardens. The gardens along the coast date back to the 18th century when botanists started to visit the region to enjoy the comfortable winter climate. At this time, many tropical and subtropical species were introduced, and the number of botanical and exotic gardens started to grow. There are six “exceptional gardens” (Jardins Remarquables) in Menton which are open to the public at various times during the week.
The Botanical Gardens of Menton
- Maria Serena
- Serre de la Madone
- Fontana Rosa
- Clos du Peyronet
- Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden
- Les Colombières Garden
A French Riviera Day Trip
If you’re staying in Menton as a base rather than visiting for a day trip, one of the best things you can do during your time there is take a day trip to another town along the French Riviera. There are so many to choose from, all with unique things to see and do. Close by you have the city of Monaco, an urban metropolis and city state. There’s a beautiful old town, the famous Monte Carlo Casino and beautiful gardens to explore. Alternatively, there’s a trip to the larger city of Nice where you will find the beautiful old town, plenty of art museums, roman ruins and a lively culture. Or head up into the mountains in Eze or Saint Paul de Vence and explore the medieval history of the region.
Continue reading: The best Cote d’Azur day trips
Tours and Activities
Tip: Here you will find more tours and activities in Menton and along the French Riviera
How to Get to Menton
If you are taking a day trip to Menton I can assume you are staying in one of the other towns or cities along the Cote d’Azur – namely Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, Monaco, or Antibes. If you are not already in the French Riviera or haven’t visited before, something to note is that public transport between the cities along the Cote d’Azur is incredibly easy. There are direct train lines and buses that link all the villages together that are all a reasonably good price.
Day Trip to Menton from Nice
So, if you are taking a day trip from Nice to Menton you will want to take the TER train. This leaves from several different stations in Nice – Nice Saint-Augustin, Nice Ville, and Nice Riquier. Nice Ville is the central station and closest to the city centre, but of course which station you catch the train from will depend where in Nice you are staying. To get to the station you can either walk, catch a tram or a bus. The train to Menton passes through all stations in Nice. From Nice to Menton takes around 35 minutes by train. You can find all the times and even buy tickets on this page.
Train Stations in Menton
There are two train stations in Menton – Menton and Menton Garavan. Menton Station is closer to the city, with about a 10-minute walk to get to the old town. Menton Garavan is on the other side of the old town, about a 10-minute walk past the harbour. Both stations are fine to alight at – it doesn’t make too much of a difference. We took the train to Menton and the train back to Nice from Menton Garavan but I would perhaps recommend taking the train to and from Menton Station.
Day Trip to Menton from other towns on the Cote d’Azur
The same applies if you are visiting Menton from Antibes, Monaco, or any other towns along the coast! Most cities have a train station with the direct line through Menton. You can find all the schedules, book tickets, and plan you trip here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Menton a day trip?
Yes, visiting Menton makes for a perfect day trip. While you can stay longer, one day in Menton is enough to see and experience what the town has to offer without feeling you have missed out on anything. Taking a day trip to Menton is very simple and quick from most other areas along the Cote d’Azur.
Should I stay in Menton or Nice?
If you are spending a longer period of time on the French Riviera and want to see a few different places then I recommend staying in Nice. It is more central and a very good base for exploring the region. However, if you are looking for a quieter base then Menton is a still good option. Day trips to areas such as Antibes and Saint Paul de Vence take longer but overall the area is very beautiful and relaxing.
Tip: Find all your accomodation options here!
Things to do in Menton: A Day Trip Guide
Menton really is the pearl of France, a sleepy yet vibrant town nestled into the coast on the French Riviera. There is so much to do in Menton and so many hidden gems to uncover. Whether you want a beach day, to immerse yourself in the food culture and lemon festival, or to explore the unique botanical gardens, or just stroll around the old town.
Spending more time on the Cote d’Azur? Make sure to check out these guides:
