Menton

Day 1: Old town, sea light and Cocteau

Ease into Menton’s douceur de vivre. Today is about tasting, strolling and looking up; let the layers of Italianate lanes, baroque facades and Mediterranean light set the tone.

• Morning: Start at Marché des Halles for coffee and a warm slice of pichade or a paper cone of barbajuans. Wander up through the lanes via the rampe Saint‑Michel to the basilica and on to the Cemetery of the Old Château for the bay‑wide panorama (wear comfortable shoes; the cobbles can be slick after rain).
• Midday: Linger over a plat du jour in a simple old‑town bistro or make a picnic from the market and eat on Plage des Sablettes with the pastel skyline in front of you. Shops often break for lunch, so do as locals do and take your time.
• Afternoon: Step into the Bastion (Jean Cocteau Museum) on the harbour and, if you enjoy a quirky flourish, book a timed visit to the town hall’s Salle des Mariages painted by Cocteau. Pause for a citron pressé at the seafront before a brief siesta.
• Evening: Join the passeggiata along the Promenade du Soleil, then dine at a neo‑bistro near the port for simply grilled fish and a pichet of rosé. In February, swap your post‑dinner stroll for the Jardins de Lumières during the Fête du Citron; in summer, stay for the warm, late light on Sablettes.

Day 2: Garden city and hilltop horizons

Menton is a garden at heart; its microclimate nurtures exotica and citrus that scent the air. This afternoon, trade sea level for eagle‑eye views above the coast.

• Morning: Explore Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh (arrive at opening for quiet paths and cool shade). Take it slowly, reading the plant labels—this is the Riviera’s horticultural soul made visible.
• Midday: Wander the Garavan quarter for lunch on a shaded terrace and drop into a lemon specialist such as La Maison du Citron or Au Pays du Citron for tastings and gifts (IGP lemons, oils, confitures). A short rest back at your hotel fits the local rhythm.
• Afternoon: Bus or drive up to the village of Sainte‑Agnès for medieval lanes, castle ruins and the vast coastal panorama (bring water; weather can change quickly at altitude). If you prefer a lighter climb, aim for Plateau Saint‑Michel above town for a gentler lookout.
• Evening: Return for an unhurried dinner in the old town. In July–August, check the Festival de Musique programme for an open‑air concert on the Parvis Saint‑Michel; otherwise, finish with gelato on Quai Impératrice Eugénie at sunset.

Day 3: Border flavours and the coastal path

Lean into Menton’s borderland identity—Italy is one stop away and the shoreline strolls are made for daydreaming. Keep plans loose and let the sea set the pace.

• Morning: TER train to Ventimiglia (10–15 minutes; carry photo ID). On Fridays the outdoor market buzzes; on other days browse the covered market for espresso, focaccia and Ligurian produce before rolling back to Menton late morning.
• Midday: Beach time and a casual lunch—socca or a pan bagnat to‑go on the promenade, or a shaded seafood terrace by Port de Garavan. In cooler months, swap the beach for the Jean Cocteau–decorated Salle des Mariages if you missed it.
• Afternoon: Follow the sentier du littoral east from Garavan towards the Italian border for low‑angle sea views and quiet coves; bring a hat and water in summer. Alternatively, revisit the cemetery for golden‑hour light over the old town.
• Evening: For a finale, book well ahead for Mirazur (months in advance; a destination meal), or choose a bistronomy table in town for seasonal, citrus‑kissed plates. Nightcap on a bench by the sea—Mentonnais style—before a gentle walk home.

Notes for all days:

• Trains beat traffic; Menton’s two stations make nearly everything walkable.
• Greet staff with a bonjour/bonasera and don’t rush service; the slow pace is the point.
• Seasonal rhythms matter: February–March brings the Fête du Citron; July–August is lively and hot; November is the rainiest month with crystal‑clear views after showers.

By Air

• Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) – nearest major airport, ~40 km west.
  • By car/taxi: 45–60 min via A8 (traffic-dependent).
  • By train: tram L2 from the airport to Nice Saint-Augustin (5–7 min), then TER to Menton (45–55 min). Total 55–75 min.
  • By coach: Zou! Line 110 (Airport ↔ Monaco ↔ Menton), 70–85 min, every 30–60 min.
• Monaco Heliport (MCM) – helicopter from NCE (~7 min), then taxi or train to Menton (20–30 min).
• Alternative airports: Genoa (GOA) ~2.5–3 h by car or 3–4 h by train (via Ventimiglia); Marseille (MRS) ~2.5–3 h by car or 3.5–4.5 h by train (via Nice).

By Train

• Stations: Menton (central) and Menton–Garavan (east, near Italy).
• TER (Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur) frequent services:
  • Nice Ville ↔ Menton: 38–45 min; up to 4 tph at peaks.
  • Monaco–Monte-Carlo ↔ Menton: 10–12 min.
  • Ventimiglia (IT) ↔ Menton: 9–12 min (easy cross-border connection).
  • Cannes ↔ Menton: ~1 h 15–1 h 30; Antibes ↔ Menton: ~1 h.
  • Marseille Saint-Charles ↔ Menton: ~3 h 15–4 h (usually 1 change in Nice).
• From Paris: TGV INOUI Paris–Gare de Lyon → Nice Ville (~5 h 40–6 h), then TER to Menton (~40 min). Total ~6.5–7.5 h.
• Tickets: SNCF Connect app/site, station machines, or staffed counters.

By Bus

• Zou! Line 110 (Airport Express): Nice Airport T2/T1 ↔ Monaco ↔ Menton (Gare Routière). 70–85 min; every 30–60 min.
• Local buses (Zest network): links within Menton and to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Beausoleil, Sospel, Castellar, Gorbio, etc. Useful for short hops and hill villages.

By Car

• Motorway: A8/E80 to exit 59 (Menton). Coastal alternatives: Corniche roads (M6098 Lower, M6007 Middle, M2564 Grande) – scenic but slower.
• Typical drive times (without heavy traffic):
  • Nice: 40–60 min; Monaco: 25–35 min; Cannes: 1 h 15–1 h 30.
  • Ventimiglia (IT): 20–30 min; Genoa: 2 h 30–3 h; Milan: 3 h 30–4 h 30.
• Notes: Motorways in France/Italy are tolled; summer traffic can be heavy. Old Town is pedestrian; use car parks (e.g., Vieille Ville–Sablettes, Saint-Roch, Campanin).