Taking a day trip to Menton from Nice should be at the top of your French Riviera itinerary! This charming town is really easily accessible and has such a rich history and culture. Menton offers great beaches, a drop-dead gorgeous old town, a charming waterfront, and all the lemon-themed souvenirs you could ever ask for! While Menton would be a great place to settle in for a few days, I ended up only spending about 3-4 hours here one morning. While I know I barely scratched the surface, it was enough time to fall in love with this French Riviera gem. Here is my guide to a day trip to Menton from Nice!
Getting to Menton from Nice
Going on a day trip to Menton from Nice could not be easier. The SNCF is the name of the trains that operate throughout the French Riviera and are incredibly user-friendly. You’ll start your journey at the Nice-Ville train station in the heart of Nice. When you arrive, go up to any of the self-service SNCF ticket machines to buy your ticket. The machines are offered in a variety of languages, so no need to stress if you do not speak French. Simply work through the steps on the machine and then check the electronic board listing the departures and platform numbers. Going on a day trip to Menton from Nice, you’re going to want to get on the train heading toward Ventimiglia.
Tip: there are two stations in Menton: Menton and Menton Garavan. Arriving into town, I’d recommend getting off at Menton, and catching the train back to Nice at Menton Garavan. More on that below!
Walk Avenue de Verdun
Avenue de Verdun is the main street that runs north-south through Menton. It connects the main train station to the north, all the way down to the casino and beaches in the south. It’s not long, only a few blocks, but it is oh-so-charming and a great walk to other points of interest around Menton! While the shops and cafes that line the street are enough to charm anyone walking down it, my absolute favorite part was the orange trees that were growing along the Jardins Biovès, which runs next to the Avenue. It was so interesting to see, and I would get whiffs of fresh oranges while walking!
At the end, spend some time popping into the Casino Barrière Menton, or even enjoy some time on the beach (depending on when you are visiting!). I will say though, that if you’re looking for beach with calm waters and spectacular views, I’d recommend the Plage des Sablettes over near the old town. More on that below!
Pro Tip: if you are visiting in February, you absolutely must check out the Fête du Citron (lemon festival!). It is a huge festival that runs for 2 weeks with lemon sculptures, parades, and events. After the festival, they leave the sculptures up in town for a couple of weeks, but I had unfortunately just missed them on my visit in mid-March!
The waterfront
Once you make it down to the water, take some time to stroll down the Promenade du Soleil. Similar to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, this walkway hugs the Mediterranean and is the entry way to the beaches below. I loved making my way to the end and resting in the Parc Plage de Fossan. There was a series of raised benches that ran along the beach which made it the perfect place to rest, recharge, and soak in the views down the beach. There are also public toilets in this park, if you need!
One of my favorite shots though was just across the street at the Esplanade Francis Palmero. Two lines of tall palm trees line the walkway connecting the park to the old town and it was dreamy! If it weren’t for the gorgeous old town in the background, I would think I was in Southern California!
Le Marché
If you’ve ever seen any videos or pictures of Menton, chances are you’ve seen the famous marché! This is an indoor market that hosts vendors selling just about everything. Fresh cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and souvenirs. It’s not huge, but it’s really fun to walk around. If you’re in the mood for a bite to eat, you can grab one here and then eat it outside at the nearby parks or along the beach. My favorite part though, was the outside of the building. The bright yellow façade with green and orange accents was too much. So beautiful!
Tip: behind the marché is a hidden carousel, located here. Each seat was unique and it was such a fun, quirky, and beautiful thing to stumble upon!
Old Town and Beaches
Menton’s Old Town is unbelievably beautiful. Honestly, I had looked up photos before and they did not do it justice. The way the homes are so densly packed together and set up so perfectly on a cliff will take your breath away! Definitely take some time to wander through the streets of old town. To do so, there’s no better way to enter than by going up the Escaliers, the iconic orange and yellow staircase. This staircase will take you from the street and beaches all the way up to the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton. You can then enter the narrow, winding streets of the old town for some exploration.
Right at the base of the old town is Plage des Sablettes, which appeared to be the best beach in Menton. While it was too cold for me to swim on my visit, this beach had much calmer water than the beaches on the other side of town. If I was planning a visit to Menton in summer, I would definitely set aside some time to soak up the sun and dip in the water here! Also bordering the beach, below the street above, are tons of restaurants and shops. Not hard to miss when you’re on the beach itself, but if you’re on the street, you might not know they are right under your feet!
The Best Views of Menton
To get the absolute best view of Menton’s Old Town, you’re going to want to step back from the city so you can see it as a whole. Surrounding the beaches are jetties that you can walk out onto to get straight on photos of the town. Walk down the Quai Impératrice Eugénie, a small road that services the port. From there you can actually find steps up onto the wall that will guide out out onto the rocks. Here is an exact pin! For a similar view, make your way down the beach a bit to this location. You’ll have the same sights of the old town, just from a slightly different angle. Be sure to bring your tripod and zoom lens for selfies and detailed shots!
Getting Back to Nice
After a busy day trip to Menton from Nice, it’s time to make your way back by train. Instead of walking back to the Menton train station that you arrived in, I’d recommend getting on the train at Menton Garavan. If you’re in the Old Town or at the beaches nearby, the two stops are a pretty equal walk away, so take advantage of getting a new view! Walk along the Prte de France, which is the main road that hugs the water. You’ll pass by another beach, the port where you can gawk at the yachts parked, and also get to enjoy the gorgeous mountain range that is straight ahead of you. You’ll also get to pass the sign above, that shows you just how close you are to Italy! For my imperial system friends, you’re about 2/3 of a mile from the border. Pretty cool!
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