Menton, the last French town before the Italian border, is known for its mild winters and lush gardens. But it is also a town that plans its year around festivals: a giant winter celebration of its citrus heritage and a summer classical music series with a spectacular coastal stage. If you can align your visit with either event, you will experience Menton at its most animated.
The two signature events are very different in character. The Fête du Citron® is a two-week explosion of colour and noise, drawing more than 250,000 visitors each February. The Menton Music Festival is a more refined summer affair, held in an intimate open-air venue that has welcomed world-class classical artists for over 70 years. Beyond these, Menton also hosts traditional religious processions and local celebrations that give a glimpse of Riviera life.
This guide focuses on what you need to know to plan a trip around these events: what to expect at each, where they take place inside Menton, how to handle transport and tickets, and how to keep your planning accurate when dates can shift from year to year.
Fête du Citron®: Menton’s world-famous winter citrus festival
The Fête du Citron® is Menton’s claim to international fame. It is a festival built around lemons and oranges, and it takes over the town every February, typically running for around two weeks. The most recent edition concluded on 28 February, and the festival continues to be listed in France’s inventory of intangible cultural heritage, a recognition it received in 2019.
The festival dates back to 1928, when a flower and citrus exhibition was held in the gardens of the Riviera Palace Hotel. The first official parade followed in 1935, and the event has grown into the enormous production seen today. Organisers describe it as a unique event in the world, and the tourism office calls it a one-of-a-kind gathering that draws spectators from across the globe.
What to expect at the Lemon Festival: sculptures, corsos, and exhibitions
The centrepieces of the Fête du Citron are the citrus sculptures in the Biovès Gardens and the grand parades known as “corsos”. These parades feature floats completely covered in citrus fruit, accompanied by marching bands, dancers, and folk groups. The parades are held on Sundays and Thursdays, and evening versions, called “corsos nocturnes”, add a second opportunity to see the processions under lights.
In addition to the sculptures and parades, the festival includes an exhibition of citrus motifs in the gardens, an artisan market, and a salon of orchids and winter gardens, which fills the air with fragrance. The scale is considerable: the 2026 edition used roughly 140 tons of citrus, including some 18 tons of fruit per ornamental pattern, and around 8 kilometres of garlands, according to France’s official tourism website.
The parades and exhibitions follow an annual theme, which changes each year. Past themes have ranged from the Olympic Games to space travel, as in the 2025 edition, which was inspired by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. If a specific theme matters for your visit, check the official festival website for the current edition.
Venues and highlights: Biovès Gardens, Palais de l’Europe, and the corso routes
The Biovès Gardens, a long landscaped park in the centre of Menton, serve as the main stage for the citrus sculptures and the daytime exhibition. The Palais de l’Europe, a grand Belle Époque building on the gardens’ edge, hosts some ticketed events and also houses the tourist office. The corso parades wind through the streets, and spectators line the route, often arriving early to secure a spot.
Because the festival draws huge crowds, the official website advises visitors to plan their arrival carefully. For Sunday corsos, it recommends arriving in Menton before 11:00, and for Thursday corsos before 18:00. No entry is permitted once a corso has been underway for 15 minutes, so punctuality is essential if you have tickets for the grandstands.
The festival grounds also extend to the Palais de l’Europe, where some events and the artisan market are held. For hygiene and safety reasons, animals are not allowed along the parade route or inside the Palais de l’Europe, as stated on the official website.
Practical planning for the Lemon Festival: transport, tickets, and tips
Getting to Menton for the Fête du Citron is best done by public transport. The official festival website strongly encourages visitors to use the trains and buses because the influx of vehicles creates major congestion. Menton has a main railway station with regular TER services from Nice, and buses also connect the town to the wider Riviera.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. The official website sells tickets online for individuals and small groups, and there is a separate service for groups of 20 or more. A dedicated platform allows official resale between private individuals, which can be useful if your plans change, but you should only buy from that authorised service to avoid fraud.
Children under 6 years old and visitors with disability cards can enter free, but they must still have an entry ticket, which can be obtained through the official channels. The website also provides practical details on parking, shuttle services, and security measures for each edition, so check it before you go.
The Menton Music Festival: a summer classical series above the sea
The Menton Music Festival is one of the French Riviera’s summer classical music highlights. It has been running for more than 70 years, and its setting is extraordinary: an open-air stage perched on a hillside over the Mediterranean, overlooked by the town’s baroque church and bell tower. The result is a venue that feels both intimate and grandiose.
The festival’s programme traditionally features orchestras, world-renowned soloists, and promising young artists, and it may include opera performances in the twilight heat. Because of its reputation, tickets can be in demand, especially for concerts by major international names. The festival usually takes place over several weeks in July and August, but exact dates are announced by the organisers closer to the season.
The music festival is a more relaxed counterpoint to the February crowds. Evening concerts let you enjoy warm summer nights with the sound of classical music drifting out to sea. It is an experience that has earned the festival a devoted following, and it is a key reason to visit Menton in the summer.
Venue and atmosphere: the open-air setting near the baroque church
The open-air venue is part of the festival’s magic. Concerts take place in a square or courtyard in front of the baroque church of Saint-Michel, which dates to the 17th century. The stage faces the audience with the sea and the Italian coast as a backdrop, and as night falls, the stars feature in the performance.
The intimate scale differentiates this festival from large arena concerts. You are close enough to see the musicians’ expressions, and the natural acoustics are enhanced by the surrounding buildings. Arriving early is worthwhile to find a good seat and to watch the venue transform as the light changes.
The festival also contributes to the town’s summer atmosphere, with visitors filling the old town’s restaurants and cafés before and after performances. It is a festival that rewards those who make an evening of it.
Programming and performers: orchestras, soloists, and emerging talent
Over its long history, the Menton Music Festival has welcomed many of the world’s greatest classical artists. The programme typically balances orchestral concerts with solo recitals and chamber music, and it often gives platform to up-and-coming musicians. You might catch a celebrated pianist one night and a young string quartet the next.
For the current season’s lineup, the best source is the festival’s official website, where the programme is published several months in advance. Ticket sales usually open before the summer, and it is advisable to book early for popular evenings.
The festival’s longevity is a testament to its quality. Its setting and artistic choices have kept audiences and performers returning year after year, making it a cornerstone of Menton’s cultural identity.
Combining the festivals with a wider Riviera trip
Menton is the easternmost town on the French Riviera, close to the Italian border. Because of its location, it is easy to combine a festival visit with other destinations. In February, you could pair the Fête du Citron with the Nice Carnival, which often overlaps in dates, while in summer, the Menton Music Festival can be part of a longer beach holiday along the Côte d’Azur.
If you decide to base yourself in Menton for either event, there is plenty to see beyond the festival grounds. The old town, the Val Rahmeh botanical garden, and the Jean Cocteau museum are all within easy walking distance. And given Menton’s mild climate, even winter days can be pleasant for exploring.
Other seasonal events and traditions in the Menton area
Menton’s calendar includes several traditional festivals that reflect the region’s heritage. One is the Saint-Eloi Festival, held in mid-July in the mountain village of Tende, which pays tribute to the mule drivers who once crossed the Col de Tende. It features processions and a parade of decorated horses and mules through the village, a colourful sight.
Another is the Brigasca Sheep Festival, which takes place in La Brigue and celebrates local farming with a market, animal fair, and dances. In addition, many villages along the Riviera and into the Mercantour hold medieval festivals or harvest celebrations, such as lavender and chestnut festivals.
Important: not all festivals in the region take place in Menton itself. The Les BaroQuiales Festival, for instance, is held in the nearby town of Sospel, not Menton, so if you are seeking baroque performances, you would need to travel there. For events like the Saint-Eloi and Brigasca festivals, you would also leave the coast for the mountain villages.
How to check current dates and avoid out-of-date information
Festival dates change from year to year, especially for the Fête du Citron, which can float between mid-February and early March. The only reliable way to know the exact dates is to consult the official festival website or the Menton Riviera & Merveilles tourist office. Their major events page is updated with the latest information.
For the Menton Music Festival, check its dedicated website or the tourist office’s event listing for the upcoming summer’s programme and dates. The same applies for ticket sales, which are only valid for the specific edition announced.
If you find information about a festival edition that has already passed, treat it as historical. Events can be cancelled or postponed, so always confirm with an official source before making travel plans. Also, note that some nearby festivals take place in other towns, so double-check locations when planning your itinerary.
Plan Your Visit
Menton’s two great festivals give you two very different reasons to visit: the exuberant citrus spectacle of the Fête du Citron in winter and the refined musical evenings of the summer festival. Both are deeply tied to the town’s identity, and both demand a little planning to enjoy fully.
To make the most of your trip, decide which festival matches your interests and travel season. Then verify the exact dates on the official websites, book your accommodation early—especially in February when the town is packed—and consider using public transport for the Fête du Citron. A little preparation will let you focus on the experience.
For a broader overview of cultural celebrations across the country, our guide to festivals in France can help you plan a longer itinerary. And for deeper dives into each Menton event, see our dedicated guides to the Fête du Citron and the Menton Music Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main festivals in Menton?
Menton’s signature festivals are the Fête du Citron® in February, a citrus-themed celebration with parades and sculptures, and the Menton Music Festival in summer, an open-air classical music series. The town also participates in traditional local events, and nearby villages host other festivals.
When is the Lemon Festival in Menton?
The Fête du Citron® takes place every February. The exact dates vary each year, so check the official festival website or the tourist office for the current edition's schedule.
Where does the Menton Music Festival take place?
Concerts are held in an open-air venue in the center of Menton, near the baroque church of Saint-Michel. The setting overlooks the sea, creating a unique atmosphere.
How do I get tickets for the Fête du Citron?
Tickets must be purchased in advance through the official festival website. The site offers online sales for individuals and small groups, and a separate service for groups of 20 or more. There is also an official resale platform for private individuals.
Are there other festivals near Menton?
Yes, the wider Riviera region hosts events like the Nice Carnival and the Les BaroQuiales Festival in Sospel. Local mountain villages also hold traditional festivals, such as the Saint-Eloi Festival in Tende and the Brigasca Sheep Festival in La Brigue, but those are not in Menton itself.
