The lemon festival of Menton in southern France is an amazing spectacle. The parade floats are all made from lemons and oranges. Don’t miss it.
Living in central Europe made it so easy to hop on a budget airline flight for a long weekend. One very chilly February weekend we did this to attend the famous Lemon Festival of Menton (La Fete du Citron), France. The weather in the south of France was such a welcome respite from the bitter and rainy weather we’ve had in Germany the last few months. Our hotel had a balcony facing the beach, and we sat out there each day with our sundowners and cameras just watching the waves roll in.
Surprisingly, we could even see them setting up for the big parade and the most amazing floats filled with Menton oranges and lemons built into whimsical characters went right past. We didn’t really have to even leave of our room! What a bonus!
The France Lemon Festival in Menton is A Must-Do
As people who love food in any shape or form, we seem to find the most interesting of festivals. Just like the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in Germany, this festival highlights local produce. Who knew that oranges and lemons could make such wonderful art.
Facts about the Menton Lemon Festival
According to the France Tourism site, the Lemon Festival is one of the most popular tourist events on the French Riviera. The idea of the festival, which brings in more than 230,000 visitors each year, has been around since the late 1920s when a hotelier decided he could capitalize on the coast’s biggest agricultural product.
He organized a flower exhibit the first year, and after that it took off. Now, in the 83rd edition, more than 300 people create amazing parade floats and exhibits using over 145 tons of citrus fruit, lemons and oranges. You can see they are attached whole onto the float and are secured with plastic straps. The fruit and their creations last about a month, so the festival runs every February for three weeks.
Menton, one of the prettiest cities in France, is not only known for the Lemon Festival, it has other charms as well. The town itself sits on a hill overlooking the port and its defensive tower. It’s am old medieval town and fun to explore with steep stairs and picturesque alleyways. And did I mention that our hotel looked out at the Mediterranean Sea? Yes! Who doesn’t need to hear waves crashing up on the shore as you sleep at night?
Located smack dab on the coast, with palm trees waving and cafes lining the seaside with not only French but Italian dishes, we were in heaven. Menton is on the border of Italy, so there is a constant flow back and forth and the majority of the restaurants in town serve spectacular pasta dishes. Since the festival didn’t get into full swing until Sunday, we really just enjoyed the walking around town and enjoying the seaside on the first day.
On opening day, there is a huge parade as the whole town, as well as neighboring towns, get into the full swing of things. The parade organizers were out early in the morning, blocking off the road and preparing for the parade. Hours before the parade started, people began scoping out their spots along the circular route and cafes were putting out stands to sell drinks and sandwiches.
Restaurants were prepared with a special “formule” or menu of the day so that festival goers would be well-fed before the main event. Most of the ones I saw included a salad, some pasta, and of course a lemon torte for dessert. We opted for the sandwich, indulging in some local ham and cheese. Yum!
Finally, the parade began! We already knew the French were masters at putting on a good parade after attending the Fiddler’s Festival in Ribeauvillé (Alsace, of course). Conveniently coinciding with Carnival season, many of the floats and extras were teeming with scantily clad and very beautiful women.
The costumes were amazing, but even though it was warmer than we were used to the wind howled off the Med and those girls had to be cold. They marched by with huge smiles, though. Amazing. It was more than just a parade, too. Clowns and jokesters climbed through the stands and teased and entertained the crowd as well. It was a quite a show!
Getting To Menton
The closest airport is Nice, which is very small and convenient. We flew in there and it was an easy and super cheap train ride to Menton. We also took the bus into Monaco, which was even cheaper.
The Menton Lemon Festival Parade
The Menton Lemon Festival website has a whole list of events, but we chose to do the big opening parade. It began at 2:00 in the afternoon. People who stand on the street pay 10 Euros for entry, but you can also order tickets online to sit in the stands which cost 25 Euros per seat. I would recommend the street, but if you do think that sitting in the stands is for you, book early enough to get in stands A or C. B is in front of the Casino and has all kinds of blockages so it’s hard to know where to sit.
Where to Eat
There are plenty of restaurants all over the town, but during the festival it’s a good idea to make reservations. Sunday night many hungry people were being turned away because the town was full of visitors. If you don’t want to call, ask your hotel concierge to do it for you or just stop by the restaurant earlier and talk to them in person.
Where to Stay
I was surprised at the costs of the hotels during the festival. They weren’t as high as I expected, and we stayed at a great place called Le Royal Westminster. Not only was it just a couple hundred feet from both the bus stop and the parade route, but as I may have mentioned, the views were amazing!
Have you been to Menton? Do you have any tips for visiting the Menton Lemon Festival?
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
Julie Whitmarsh
Tuesday 8th of March 2016
I've wanted to go to the citrus festival in Menton since I visited there as a child and saw pictures of it on the postcards in the town. This has just reinforced its place on my 'bucket-list' and I am more determined than ever to get there. Thanks
Corinne Vail
Tuesday 8th of March 2016
Julie, It took me a few years to get there as well. So glad I finally did. Hope you get there soon!
Marina - Imaginibus
Monday 7th of March 2016
How fun! I would love to attend the Lemon Festival one day. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
Corinne Vail
Monday 7th of March 2016
Marina, It was fun! I love going to quirky festivals.
Christine @afamilyday
Saturday 5th of March 2016
Looks great fun. I can just imagine the lovely citrus smell the floats must give off! #AllaboutFrance
Corinne Vail
Saturday 5th of March 2016
Christine, I didn't really smell the citrus, but I ate lots of lemon pastries!
Lisa Absalom
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
Lovely photos both of the Fête du Citron but also of Menton, one of my favourite towns! Living half and half in England and Villefranche sur Mer, I am lucky enough to have been to the Lemon Festival for the past five years and it never ceases to amuse, amaze and entertain me! This year it prompted me to find out what Cinecittá is really all about!
Corinne Vail
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
Lisa, Yes, I found it to be an interesting choice for a theme.
FrenchVillage Jacqui
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
Lovely photos. I've been to Menton, but in late April. I still enjoyed seeing the citrus trees with fruit on them, but one day I would love to be there for the festival. #AllAboutFrance
Corinne Vail
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
Jacqui, Menton is such a charming little place. We definitely fell in love with it.