Ultimate Guide to Menton France in the French Riviera

Sitting on the border of France and Italy, Menton, France is a charming seaside town along the French Riviera, known for its colorful pastel buildings, citrus groves, picturesque beaches and a touch of Italian influence. Nicknamed the “Pearl of France,” it is the last stop on the Cote d’Azur before crossing into Italy and is easily reached by train from Nice, which makes it an ideal day trip destination.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit to Menton, including how to get there, the best things to do, and where to stay for a relaxed coastal escape.

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Where is Menton

Menton sits at the very eastern edge of the French Riviera near the French-Italian border. It is about 40 minutes from Nice by train and 15 minutes from Monaco. It’s one of the sunniest corners of France, with lemon trees and lush gardens everywhere, and sandy beaches. It’s the prettiest town you’ll find on the coast along the French Riviera.

Read my guide on Nice here

How to Get to Menton, France

The closest airport is Nice Airport (NCE). Most people choose to stay in Nice or other larger towns of the French Riviera, and visit Menton as a day trip.

By train from Nice
The best way to visit Menton is by taking the TER regional train from Nice Ville station.

Trains run frequently and the train journey takes around 35 to 40 minutes. Ticket prices are €7.40 one way from Nice.

From the train station it’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the historic town center.

By car
If you’re coming by rental car, the coastal drive is beautiful. It’s relatively a short drive of 35 minutes.

There are several parking lots across the town. This parking lot is very central and places you right at historic old town.

Rental Cars: Book with Discover Cars for the best prices. I always choose a trusted company like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt within the search results.

A woman in a light summer dress standing in a narrow alleyway in Menton France, surrounded by warm pastel buildings in shades of yellow and coral.

A narrow pastel street in Menton with warm yellow and peach buildings, leading toward the bell tower of the Basilica of Saint Michel under a bright blue sky.

How to Get Around in Menton

Menton is a very walkable town given its small size. Most of the beautiful areas are close to one another, so you can explore on foot. The old town, the promenade, the port, and the beach are all within a short walking distance. However, do note that there are some stairs you’ll have to climb to get to some of the view points.

Best Time to Visit Menton

Menton is pleasant year round given its mild climate.

Summer months are ideal for swimming and beach days.
Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures and fewer people.
Winter is peaceful and warm compared to much of Europe, and February hosts the Fête du Citron or the famous Lemon Festival, when the entire town fills with bright citrus sculptures and celebrations.

How Much Time in Menton?

One full day is enough to see the major sights in Menton. A day trip is enough to wander the old town, visit the basilica and viewpoints, enjoy some chill beach time at Plage des Sablettes, and have a relaxed seaside meal. This is perfect if you are staying in Nice and want to experience this charming town.

The best places to base yourself in in the French Riviera is Nice or Villefranche-sur-mer, but you could opt to stay in Menton for a night or two if you love slow travel and want to visit some of the nearby places like Monaco.

Wide view of the yellow zigzag staircase in Menton filled with people walking and taking photos, with the basilica rising above.

A quiet medieval pathway in Menton with rustic stone walls, potted plants, and an old stone archway leading into a shaded alley.

Where to Stay in Menton

If you’re selecting a base in the Côte d’azur, I would recommend Nice or Villefranche-sur-mer as they offer the most convenience and accessibility. Menton isn’t the best choice since it lies all the way at one end of the French Riviera.

If you love slow travel and do want to spend a night or two in Menton to enjoy it with fewer crowds, check out the options in the map below. Menton doesn’t have a ton of traditional hotels, and you’ll find more vacation rentals or apartments.

If you want to check out where to stay in Nice, refer to this post or see below if you’re short on time!

Best hotels in Nice, France:

Vieux Nice (Old Town)

Promenade des Anglais

Jean Médecin & City Center

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Best Things to Do in Menton france

Explore Old Town Menton

Wander through narrow stone streets lined with pink, peach, gold, and coral-colored buildings. Honestly, just walking around and getting lost in the picturesque old town was so much fun!

My absolute favorite street was Rue du Vieux Chateau, where you can get iconic photos with the narrow streets of Menton with the bell tower of Basilica of Saint Michel in the background. There’s also Rue Longue, the oldest street in Menton and the backbone of the city.

View of pastel buildings in Menton France with open green shutters and the basilica bell tower rising between them.

The author in a light summer dress walking down a colorful alley in Menton France, framed by tall pastel buildings and the basilica bell tower in the background.

Visit the Basilica of Saint Michel (Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton)

This baroque church stands at the heart of Old Town. The views over the rooftops and sea from here are absolutely gorgeous. I was surprised to find so many people in front of the church and the square it sits on, but it’s because we visited on a Sunday when mass was ending. We returned about 30 minutes later, and the square was practically empty.

View of the Basilica of Saint Michel in Menton from below, showing its ornate architecture and tall bell tower against a blue sky.

The author in a white summer dress standing at a lookout point in Menton, overlooking the turquoise water and beach below.

Les Rampes Saint-Michel

Also called Escaliers, this is the famous yellow stairway that leads up to the Saint Michel Church above.

A man wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and beige shorts standing in front of the yellow zigzag staircase and basilica in Menton.

Chapelle des Pénitents-Blancs

Located right beside the Saint Michel church, this chapel has its own beautifully detailed facade that draws your eye as you walk through the square.

Walk to the Cemetery of the Old Château for the Viewpoint (Cimetière du Vieux Château)

Visit a cemetery, you may say? Yes. But not for the actual cemetery itself. Once you walk up the narrow streets and reach the cemetery, you can get the best views of the entire bay. From up here, the town of Menton feels like a watercolor painting.

Historic cemetery in Menton with ornate stone mausoleums and a tree providing shade near the hillside pathway.

Beach day at Plage des Sablettes

This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Riviera. The water is clear and calm, and the white sandy beach against the colorful buildings of Menton as the backdrop is just absolutely gorgeous.

It is a busy beach, so keep that in mind.

Menton Viewpoint

In addition to the Escaliers, one of the most famous photo spots of Menton is from the Menton Viewpoint, or Vue Panoramique de Menton. From the Plage des Sablettes beach, walk along the Quai Impératrice Eugénie, which is a promenade or harbor wall. This is a great photo op, but you’ll notice a layer of some large rocks extending into the ocean water. These rocks offer some of the best spots for photos of Menton. Just be safe and wear sturdy shoes (I made the mistake of wearing flip flops and it was not fun!).

Stroll the Promenade du Soleil

Enjoy a slow seaside walk with ocean views, cafes, and palm trees.

Shop lemon themed items.

Limoncello, marmalades, lemon ravioli, plates, aprons, towels… anything you imagine made of lemons or with lemon prints on it, you’ll probably find it here. Even if you can’t make it to the annual lemon festival, you’ll still be experiencing the capital of lemon in France through these Menton lemon items. Remember to try lemon tart!

Narrow street in Menton lined with bright orange and yellow buildings, potted plants, and pastel shutters under a sunny sky.

The Eau de Menton perfumery storefront with bright yellow awnings, citrus displays, and pastel shuttered windows above.

Jean Cocteau Museum

A small modern museum dedicated to the artist Jean Cocteau. Worth a stop if you love art and design.

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Where to Eat in Menton

Since we were in Menton for a day trip, we didn’t have the opportunity to try several restaurants. But I do recommend the following:

Le Bistrot des Jardins
A restaurant with a pretty terrace, serving “French market food.” We were visiting on a Sunday and they are only open for lunch on Sundays, so this was perfect.

Pizzeria 430gradi
Given its proximity to Italy, it’s no surprise that Menton is full of Italian cuisine. Several reviews raved about the pizza here, but they only open for dinner (around 7 pm) and we had dinner plans in Nice so we didn’t get to try it. This would have been my dinner choice if we had enough time!

Tutti Frutti
Delicious homemade ice cream and sorbets. There might be a line, but it moves quick so don’t worry!

People lining up at the Tutti Frutti ice cream stand in Menton, with a cream-colored awning and handwritten signs.

Add Menton to Your South of France Itinerary

Menton fits into a South of France or French Riviera itinerary along with these towns:

Nice
Villefranche sur Mer
Eze
Monaco
Antibes
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
Cannes

There are direct trains between many of these coastal towns.

If you are planning your trip to the French Riviera, you can explore my Nice Travel Guide and 10 Day South of France Itinerary for easy trip planning.

Planning a trip to France? Check out my other helpful guides below:

USE MY CHECKLIST TO PLAN YOUR TRIP!

Flights
- Search for the best flights on Skyscanner to get to your destination
Hotels
- I use Booking.com for most accommodations
- For Asia, I prefer Agoda as they have the most competitive prices. I also compare prices on Klook (you can use my code MINYWANDER for a discount so see if that’s a better deal)
- For vacation rentals, especially for larger families, consider VRBO
Transportation
- Trains & Ferries – book on Omio
- Rental Cars – I usually book on DiscoverCars
- For reliable airport pickups, use Welcome Pickups
- For Asia I use Klook (code MINYWANDER for a discount) – Japan trains for example
Activities & Tours
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- For Asia, I prefer Klook as there are more options – use code MINYWANDER
E-sim
- Stay connected with Airalo E-sims.