Menton is the last French town before Italy, backed by mountains that protect it from the northerly wind. The result is a very mild climate, citrus gardens and a tradition of winter stays dating back to the Belle Époque.
Choosing where to stay in Menton means choosing between the town centre, flat and close to the beaches; the old town, with its stairways; and the hills, which are quieter but make a car essential. This guide will help you decide, with places hand-picked one by one; they are all listed on our page of places to stay in Menton.
How to choose your neighbourhood
- Town centre: pedestrianised Rue Saint-Michel, Biovès Gardens and the Promenade du Soleil; ideal if you arrive by train.
- Old town: narrow lanes and stairways around the basilica, with the sea below; full of character, but not suited to cars.
- Garavan: east towards Italy, a residential neighbourhood of villas and gardens around the port.
- Hills: houses and guest rooms among olive and lemon trees, with views and peace and quiet.
For a weekend or a first visit, the town centre comes out on top: dine in town and walk back to your accommodation. For a week with the family or a quieter stay, a house in the hills is worth a few car journeys.
Staying in the town centre and old town
The sea, station and restaurants are all just a few minutes’ walk away. These three places let you leave the car behind for your entire stay.
Hôtel Gabriel
A three-star hotel in the town centre, on Rue Lorédan-Larchey, a few minutes from the old town and several beaches. Air-conditioned rooms are a real plus in summer, while a patio and sunny terrace make a pleasant spot to unwind at the end of the day. A straightforward base for exploring on foot.
Hôtel De Londres
On Avenue Carnot, between the seafront and the station, this three-star hotel offers a rare luxury in town: a flower-filled garden. There’s a breakfast buffet and air-conditioned rooms. It’s very close to the parade route during the Lemon Festival: book early for those dates.
Villa Capodanna, au coeur de la vieille ville, maison de village avec magnifique vue sur la mer
A 75 m² village house in old Menton, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, balcony and patio. It suits two couples or a family looking to experience the neighbourhood at its own pace. Be prepared to carry your bags up some steps.
Houses and guest rooms, from Fossan to the hills
As soon as you leave the seafront, Menton climbs towards olive-covered terraces. Here you’ll find more space or open views, and sometimes free private parking.
La maison des vacances
On Boulevard du Fossan, about a ten-minute walk from the centre, this four-bedroom house has a garden, barbecue and terrace facing the mountains. A fully equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi make it a good base for a large family or group of friends. It’s the space you come for, not the sea views.
Studette de 17m2 avec parking privé gratuit Climatisation et petite cuisine
On Route de Sospel, just over a kilometre from the centre, this room for two has a kitchenette, private bathroom and air conditioning. Its main advantage is free private parking, a valuable perk in a town where parking can be tricky. At 17 m², space is limited, so it’s best for a couple who’ll spend their days out and about.
Olguita
In the hills, just over two kilometres from the centre, this air-conditioned room opens onto a terrace overlooking the sea. It also has a garden, Wi-Fi and free private parking. A good choice for couples seeking peace and views, provided you have a car to drive down into town.
What to see in Menton
Climb through the old town to the square in front of the Baroque Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, paved with a pebble mosaic bearing the Grimaldi coat of arms. Higher up, the Vieux-Château Cemetery offers the finest views over the bay and the Italian coast.
Jean Cocteau personally decorated the Bastion, a small 17th-century fort on the harbour that is now a museum, as well as the wedding hall in the town hall. The building housing the Séverin Wunderman collection on the seafront is temporarily closed, so check before visiting.
Menton’s microclimate has made it a city of gardens. The best known include the Serre de la Madone, with more than six hectares of terraces and ponds listed as a historic monument; Val Rahmeh in Garavan, home to some 1,700 tropical and medicinal plants; and the garden of the Palais Carnolès, once the summer residence of the princes of Monaco, with more than 130 varieties of citrus fruit.
When to visit Menton
Winters are remarkably mild, spring and autumn are ideal for gardens and walking, and summer is hot and lively. The 93rd Lemon Festival, themed “Douce France”, will run from 13 to 28 February 2027. Citrus displays fill Biovès Gardens, while the golden-fruit parades take place along the Promenade du Soleil on Sundays 14, 21 and 28 February.
Every year, from late July to early August, the Menton Music Festival holds concerts on the square in front of the basilica, overlooking the sea. Book well in advance for these two events.
Getting there and getting around
The town has two railway stations, Menton and Menton-Garavan, on the Nice–Ventimiglia TER line, with Monaco and Nice to one side and Italy to the other. From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, regional coach line 80, operated by Zou!, serves Monaco and then Menton.
The town centre, old town and seafront are easy to explore on foot, and parking there is difficult. A car is useful for places in the hills and the hinterland. Find more places to visit on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur page.
Menton is part of our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. For comparison, also read our guides to where to stay in Nice, its larger neighbour, where to stay in Cannes, further west, and where to stay in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a hilltop village.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before booking your stay in Menton.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Menton?
For most travellers, it’s the town centre: the station, Rue Saint-Michel, Biovès Gardens, the Promenade du Soleil and the beaches are all a few minutes’ walk away. The nearby old town appeals for its narrow lanes and sea views, but involves plenty of steps. If you have a car and want peace and quiet, choose a house or guest room in the hills.
Can you visit Menton without a car?
Yes. The town has two railway stations, Menton and Menton-Garavan, on the Nice–Ventimiglia TER line, which also makes it easy to visit Monaco, Nice or Italy for the day. From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, regional coach line 80, operated by Zou!, serves Monaco and then Menton. In town, the centre, old town and seafront are all walkable. A car is only useful if you’re staying up in the hills.
When is the Lemon Festival in 2027?
The 93rd Lemon Festival, themed “Douce France”, will run from 13 to 28 February 2027. Citrus displays are set up in Biovès Gardens, right in the centre, and the golden-fruit parades travel along the Promenade du Soleil on Sundays 14, 21 and 28 February. This is the busiest time of year: if you want to stay near the parade route, book several months ahead.
What is the best season to visit Menton?
Menton is worth visiting year-round thanks to its very mild climate, even in winter. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for gardens and walking trails, with fewer people on the beaches. Summer is hot and lively, with the Music Festival taking place between late July and early August. In February, the Lemon Festival draws crowds, so book early.
Is Menton suitable for families?
Yes. The town is compact, and the seafront is flat; Sablettes Beach, at the foot of the old town, is convenient for children. A holiday home with several bedrooms and a kitchen offers more flexibility than a hotel, such as the one on Boulevard du Fossan or the village house in the old town. The only drawback is that the stepped lanes are not ideal for pushchairs.
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