Guidebook for Menton
Arts & Culture
American businessman and Cocteau enthusiast Séverin Wunderman was a teenager when he started collecting the works of Jean Cocteau. The great French writer, filmmaker and artist was named an honorary citizen of Menton after painting the spectacular "salle de mariage" (wedding hall) in Menton's City Hall.
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Jean Cocteau Museum Collection Severin Wunderman
2 Quai de MonleonAmerican businessman and Cocteau enthusiast Séverin Wunderman was a teenager when he started collecting the works of Jean Cocteau. The great French writer, filmmaker and artist was named an honorary citizen of Menton after painting the spectacular "salle de mariage" (wedding hall) in Menton's City Hall.
Sightseeing
It took 200 years to complete the cathedral that stands over Menton's Old Town. It's truly a remarkable church--not huge, but unique and perfect. More information: http://en.infotourisme.net/monument/menton/6881/basilique-saint-michel-archange
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Basilikaen Saint-Michel-Archange
Place de l'EgliseIt took 200 years to complete the cathedral that stands over Menton's Old Town. It's truly a remarkable church--not huge, but unique and perfect. More information: http://en.infotourisme.net/monument/menton/6881/basilique-saint-michel-archange
Menton's "Old Town" is a perfect place to wander for a few minutes or a few hours. Perched above the harbor and home to churches and the hilltop Cimetière du Vieux-Château (Cemetery of the Old Castle), you'll find spectacular vistas as well as small visual delights.
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Vieille Ville
Menton's "Old Town" is a perfect place to wander for a few minutes or a few hours. Perched above the harbor and home to churches and the hilltop Cimetière du Vieux-Château (Cemetery of the Old Castle), you'll find spectacular vistas as well as small visual delights.
The Boulevard de Garavan was built in 1888, occupying a spectacular perch on the hillside above our apartment. It's a perfect place for a walk: quiet, endless views, and a series of sidewalk plaques marking various flora of the Menton area.
Boulevard de Garavan
Boulevard de GaravanThe Boulevard de Garavan was built in 1888, occupying a spectacular perch on the hillside above our apartment. It's a perfect place for a walk: quiet, endless views, and a series of sidewalk plaques marking various flora of the Menton area.
Food Scene
If you're a foodie, you already know about Mauro Colagreco's restaurant, proud holder of two Michelin stars. It's within walking distance of our apartment and offers world-class food as well as a view you won't forget.
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Restaurant Mirazur
30 Av. Aristide BriandIf you're a foodie, you already know about Mauro Colagreco's restaurant, proud holder of two Michelin stars. It's within walking distance of our apartment and offers world-class food as well as a view you won't forget.
They specialize in Sardinian dishes here. It's part of what makes Menton so special: the melange of French and Italian cultures and cuisines.
Restaurant l'Ulivo
21 Pl. du CapThey specialize in Sardinian dishes here. It's part of what makes Menton so special: the melange of French and Italian cultures and cuisines.
Whether it's just for your morning coffee and croissant or something fancier in the baked-goods department, a solid go-to spot. Very nice people, and on a nice day, you'll sit in the square and enjoy the vibrancy of Mentonnais street life.
Boulangerie Pâtisserie Suisse
Whether it's just for your morning coffee and croissant or something fancier in the baked-goods department, a solid go-to spot. Very nice people, and on a nice day, you'll sit in the square and enjoy the vibrancy of Mentonnais street life.
Right across from the water and a stone's throw from the Italian border. Solid selection of breads, croissants (of course), and midday snacks like sandwiches, quiches, etc. The closest place to the apartment for fresh baked goods.
L'amie Du Pain
1 Promenade Reine AstridRight across from the water and a stone's throw from the Italian border. Solid selection of breads, croissants (of course), and midday snacks like sandwiches, quiches, etc. The closest place to the apartment for fresh baked goods.
Very good food here and nice people too. An easy walk from the apartment. In nice weather, there are enjoyable outdoor tables.
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Leone Restaurant Menton
13 Sq. VictoriaVery good food here and nice people too. An easy walk from the apartment. In nice weather, there are enjoyable outdoor tables.
A very popular restaurant near our apartment, focusing on Italian cuisine. Very nice place to dine outdoors when the weather's warm. When it's not, the interior is lovely. Friendly, attentive service and very good food and wine.
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Restaurant Le Galion
A very popular restaurant near our apartment, focusing on Italian cuisine. Very nice place to dine outdoors when the weather's warm. When it's not, the interior is lovely. Friendly, attentive service and very good food and wine.
Nathalie and Ary are lovely people and whether you stop here for a simple coffee and croissant or one of their superb breakfast or brunch creations, you’ll feel welcomed . It’s just across the Avenue Porte de France from our building, down at the port level.
EUNOIA COFFEE
Nathalie and Ary are lovely people and whether you stop here for a simple coffee and croissant or one of their superb breakfast or brunch creations, you’ll feel welcomed . It’s just across the Avenue Porte de France from our building, down at the port level.
Getting Around
The #1 line of the local Zestbus system stops directly in front of our building. Going toward town, you'll catch it at the corner of Porte de France and Avenue Blasco Ibanez. Stops are clearly marked with schedules. Fare is €1.50 each way (you can pay in cash aboard the bus); discounts are available at the Zestbus office at the Gare Routiere (see separate listing).
Blasco Ibanez
Avenue Blasco IbanezThe #1 line of the local Zestbus system stops directly in front of our building. Going toward town, you'll catch it at the corner of Porte de France and Avenue Blasco Ibanez. Stops are clearly marked with schedules. Fare is €1.50 each way (you can pay in cash aboard the bus); discounts are available at the Zestbus office at the Gare Routiere (see separate listing).
It's almost like we have our own train station! Just behind the building you'll find access to the TER regional rail system. Trains run at least every half-hour: eastbound to Ventimiglia, Italy (a lovely city in its own right and the access point to the Italian rail system); westbound to Monaco, Nice, Cannes and other locations on the Côte d'Azur. Pro tip: if flying into Nice, take the Tram toward the Nice-St. Augustin station (fare-free between the airport and the nearby Grand Arenas stop) then ride the TER train to Menton-Garavan. Further pro tip: get the Oui.SNCF app on your smartphone and buy your tickets without hassling with the machines in train stations.
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Menton garavan
It's almost like we have our own train station! Just behind the building you'll find access to the TER regional rail system. Trains run at least every half-hour: eastbound to Ventimiglia, Italy (a lovely city in its own right and the access point to the Italian rail system); westbound to Monaco, Nice, Cannes and other locations on the Côte d'Azur. Pro tip: if flying into Nice, take the Tram toward the Nice-St. Augustin station (fare-free between the airport and the nearby Grand Arenas stop) then ride the TER train to Menton-Garavan. Further pro tip: get the Oui.SNCF app on your smartphone and buy your tickets without hassling with the machines in train stations.
This is the main hub for bus transit in Menton. The local Zestbus lines are centered here; you can get maps, advice, and multi-day passes. This is also where the Lignes d'Azur buses from Nice and the Nice Airport begin and end.
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Bus station shuttle 110, 100
6 Av. de SospelThis is the main hub for bus transit in Menton. The local Zestbus lines are centered here; you can get maps, advice, and multi-day passes. This is also where the Lignes d'Azur buses from Nice and the Nice Airport begin and end.
Shopping
Part of everyday life in France is "going to the market". Menton has several, but the main daily market is here, in a building dating to 1898. It's open daily from 8 am to 1 pm and you'll find it all: produce, bread, pastries, cheese, fish, meat and poultry, flowers, and more.
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Halles Marked
5 Rue PelissonPart of everyday life in France is "going to the market". Menton has several, but the main daily market is here, in a building dating to 1898. It's open daily from 8 am to 1 pm and you'll find it all: produce, bread, pastries, cheese, fish, meat and poultry, flowers, and more.
They make some truly amazing confitures here (and by "make them here", I mean they make them right where they sell them). Honey and oils, too. Go in for a true taste of Menton.
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Maison Herbin
2 Rue du Vieux CollègeThey make some truly amazing confitures here (and by "make them here", I mean they make them right where they sell them). Honey and oils, too. Go in for a true taste of Menton.
Essentials
U Express et drive
85 Rue de FranceA true full-service supermarket just across the street.
Parks & Nature
You have to see it to believe it. A remarkable tropical garden within walking distance of our apartment.
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Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton
Avenue Saint-JacquesYou have to see it to believe it. A remarkable tropical garden within walking distance of our apartment.
More than 130 varieties of citrus trees grow in this garden outside the Grimaldi Palais de Carnolès, which dates to the 17th century and is now a museum of Beaux-Arts . You'll see varieties of citrus you've never seen in a market anywhere.
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Jardin d'agrumes du Palais Carnolès
3 Av. de la MadoneMore than 130 varieties of citrus trees grow in this garden outside the Grimaldi Palais de Carnolès, which dates to the 17th century and is now a museum of Beaux-Arts . You'll see varieties of citrus you've never seen in a market anywhere.
Just walk up the hill behind the apartment on Avenue Blasco Ibanez and you'll reach Parc du Pian. The main feature is a grove of over 500 century-old olive trees.
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Parc Départemental du Pian
11 Av. Blasco IbanezJust walk up the hill behind the apartment on Avenue Blasco Ibanez and you'll reach Parc du Pian. The main feature is a grove of over 500 century-old olive trees.
It's a garden as well as a historical monument, just a stone's throw from our building. Fontana Rosa was the creation of the writer and political leader Vicente Blasco Ibanez. It fell into a rather magnificent state of disrepair and is now being restored. You'll need to arrange one of the regular tours if you wish to visit. More information here: https://www.menton.fr/Jardin-Fontana-Rosa.html
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Jardins Fontana Rossa
6 Av. Blasco IbanezIt's a garden as well as a historical monument, just a stone's throw from our building. Fontana Rosa was the creation of the writer and political leader Vicente Blasco Ibanez. It fell into a rather magnificent state of disrepair and is now being restored. You'll need to arrange one of the regular tours if you wish to visit. More information here: https://www.menton.fr/Jardin-Fontana-Rosa.html