For your weekend in Menton, experience the Fête du Citron®!

Originally, the Menton Lemon Festival was a simple carnival, created in 1895 by the town’s hoteliers. Popular with locals and royalty alike, Menton’s carnival reached its peak in 1882, when Queen Victoria attended the celebrations. The themes and execution of the carnival corresponded to the tradition of the popular carnival, with parades of big heads, confetti throwing, flower battles and fireworks.

The event took on its present fruity character in 1929, as a tribute to the city’s star citrus fruit. This was when the floats and decorations made of lemons and other citrus fruits were created, with a quantity of fruit approaching 120 tons!

The Olympics, from antiquity to the present day 

For 15 days, from 17th February to 3rd March 2024 included, Menton will live to the rhythm of the lemon. A tangy programme guaranteed for this season :

• From Saturday 17th February, the Biovès Gardens will be adorned with thousands of fruits to present majestic frescoes, mosaics and sculptures made entirely of citrus fruits.
• Every Sunday, come and watch the parade of the Golden Fruit Corsos, where the ballet of floats decorated with a thousand lemons and oranges will delight young and old. With two night corsos,.
• Finally, there will be an opportunity to stroll through the Gardens of Light.

During your stay in Menton, the Lemon Festival^® is an event not to be missed!

In addition to these lemon celebrations, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many other activities during your stay. If flowers are your thing, the Orchid Festival will take place throughout the Lemon Festival^® at the Palais de l’Europe.

Make the most of this colourful and fragrant weekend by booking one of our rooms with a sea view in our 3*** hotel Le Balmoral.