Visit Menton, its famous gardens and its gentle way of life

The fragrances of the Jardin Serre de la Madone [The Madonna Hothouse Garden] in Menton

A visit to the gardens is not to be missed during your trip to Menton! One of the most well-known is the Jardin Serre de la Madone, awarded the Jardin Remarquable [Remarkable Garden] label!

Stroll through the subtropical plants and themed terrace gardens in this hotspot that blends art and aroma to perfection. Rare varieties, statues, fountains, etc. This 7-hectare garden is an absolute must visit in Menton!

For the more curious, guided tours are offered from January to October: the opportunity to learn more about rare species such as the Himalayan tropical oak or the two giant Plum Pines.

Your guide will also tell you stories about the farmhouse, this small house crowning the garden, and which hosted evenings for high society and celebrities!

At the end of your walk, do not ignore the traditional photo session. The garden is located in the town’s hills and offers a magnificent panoramic view over the Mediterranean.

Everything you need to take your fill of pretty snaps!

In the footsteps of Jean Cocteau in Menton

Poet, painter, illustrator, playwright, filmmaker… The famous artist Jean Cocteau is one of the geniuses who marked the 20th century! In Menton, you’re in the right place to find out more about his career!

Because, in short, it was during a visit to a friend that the artist fell for the charm of Menton. A blessing for the town of a thousand fragrances, which would become the sanctuary for the artist’s works! Today, two centres of interest invite you to walk in the footsteps of the famous artist: the Wedding Room in the town hall and the Bastion Museum.

For the first walk, we’ll meet you on the forecourt of Menton town hall. The Weddings Room  is visited to the rhythm of stories from local guides, who share with you the secrets of the famous frescoes of Orpheus and Eurydice, not to mention the Savage Wedding.

To get to the Bastion Museum, follow the pretty Promenade du Soleil that stretches along the Mediterranean. Here, you can visit the old small military fort renovated by Cocteau. Do you want to admire the famous Innamorti (which means “lovers” in Italian) series in Menton? It is possible! However, you need to book your place in advance in order to join the guided tours organized on Mondays and Fridays.

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Walk in Vieux-Menton

The fragrance from the lemon trees, the azure blue of the Mediterranean and the lilting accent of the colourful alleyways: Vieux-Menton is an unmissable district of the town!

The visit starts with the Vieux-Château cemetery to head down to the sea and its port. On the path, take your most beautiful snaps, capturing the ochre-coloured buildings and small squares typical of Provence.

Don’t put your camera away straight away!

At the bottom of Vieux-Menton, the Port of Garavan is famed for being one of the most beautiful of the Côte d’Azur! And for good reason – it offers an unimpeded view over Vieux-Menton and the Bastion.

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Guided tour of the Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange [Saint Michael the Archangel] in Menton

During your visit to Vieux-Menton, you can’t escape the imposing Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange! Departing from the seafront, splendid flights of stairs lead you to the square of the Basilica Saint-Michel Archange with its 250,000 pebbles

After climbing the steps, it is finally time to enter this central building in Menton.

A quick tip? In order not to miss any of the charm of this basilica, let your guide tell you about the Italian decoration. The opportunity for you to find out everything about the story of Saint Peter and Saint John the Baptist, not to mention the patron saint of Menton: Saint Michael.