Menton Attractions

The Musée Municipal in Menton, in rue Henri Greville north of the Town Hall, has paintings by Chagall, Dufy, Modigliani, Picasso, Vlaminck and others from the Wakefield-Mori Collection. There is also a comprehensive collection of local and prehistoric exhibits (including the negroid skull discovered in 1884 in the caves of Baoussé-Roussé, Italian Balzi-Rossi).

In the Rue de la République in Menton, stands the italianate Hôtel de Ville (town hall). Of particular interest is the Salle des Mariages which was decorated by Cocteau.

On the landward side, the valley of the River Carei (now diverted underground) is the fine Jardin Biovès with its exotic trees. In the park (Avenue Boyer) stands the Palais d'Europe, a building of the Belle Epoque housing the Congress and Cultural Center and the Tourist Office.

Castillin Neuf is a village which was exemplarily rebuilt after World War II.

In Menton the annual Lemon Festival and parade is held in February-March, there is a festival parade in June and a Latern Parade in August.

The Menton Festival of Music takes place in August and includes operas, as well as concerts by symphonies, choral groups and chamber orchestras. There are usually at least three performances organized every week and all take place in the Parvis St Michel.

The Monastère de l'Annociade (Capuchin monastery) lies outside the town to the northeast, high above the road to Sospel, with a marvelous panorama. Continuing under the expressway, there is a good view on the right of the typical Provençal village of Castellar.

In the 17th C. harbor bastion in Menton can be found the Musée Jean Cocteau, with pictures, drawings, stage designs, etc.

Gardens and a Capuchun monastery lie on the outskirts of Menton.

Villa Val-Rahmeh Botanic Garden leads up to the villa and is lined by Canary Island palms, while the garden itself holds a variety of plants rarely seen in this region.

The Wedding Hall was decorated by Jean Cocteau featuring centaurs, Pegasus, Eurydice, and Orpheus. This hall is located within the Menton Town Hall.