Less glamorous and quieter than most beach towns on the French Riviera, Menton, also known as the "Pearl of France" is the place to be for those looking for old fashioned Belle Epoque charm in faded yellows and dusty pinks ... with sea view.
Just like in Nice, the cemetery is built on the highest point of the old town, enjoys incredible views, and is therefor absolutely worth the climb. Just remember to pack your water bottle.
As the title of this blog suggests, Menton is exactly halfway between Paris and Rome.
A fountain marks the spot.
The largest attraction in Menton, the new Jean Cocteau museum, has unfortunately been closed since a storm in October 2018 which flooded its basement and damaged a lot of the artwork stored inside.
However, fans of the novelist, painter, playwright, designer can still visit the original Bastion museum as well as the "salle des mariages", the registry office inside the Hôtel de Ville where Cocteau got free rein.
For those wanting to combine a bit of sightseeing and culture with a bit of beach, make sure you have a 50cent coin in your wallet as the locker boxes on the beach won't take any other change and hike up the hill without excess luggage.
As on most of the Riviera, no sandy beaches here, but there are restaurants along the Promenade that rent sunbeds & parasols.
The last stop on the train to Italy, this lemon scented town is easily reached by public transportation.
You can catch a train from Cagnes sur Mer or from Nice Ville for the fastest direct train which takes 28 minutes. If you buy a day pass you can hop on and off along the route and even visit Monaco, Beaulieu or Villefranche-sur-Mer.
More Menton highlights here.
Will you be adding Menton to your to visit list?