Menton, A Border Town of The Cote d'Azur

Menton is the last french city before the Italian border and has some charming aspects to show….

When you visit the Cote d’Azur in direction Italy, you must stop at the last french city before the Italian border, Menton. It’s located between Monaco and Italy, and during History, the city was sometimes a part of Monaco territory, sometimes to Italy. But it went to France definitively 1848.

It’s a very quiet and nice city, not the crowd of tourists you can find in Nice, not the crowd of stars you can find in Cannes or Monaco, it’s just a little “border-city” at the sea. That’s giving to Menton all his charm: the old city, as beautiful as the one from Nice, a nice little harbor with the rests of a castle, the food, as good as everywhere else on the Cote d’Azur and a very peaceful mood. The people are very friendly, saying themselves that they are not part of the area of Nice, neither Monaco or Italy: they’re independent, they’re “mentonasques”!

During carnival, they have their own celebration called “Fête du citron” (literally “the Lemon party”): the whole city is covered with lemons (sometimes oranges too), a big ceremony shows giant sculptures made with lemons & oranges because it’s the main local production for many centuries….

So if you’re looking for a quiet place, take some rest at the sea in a nice city, just have a look at Menton. Italy, Monaco, Nice and other great places (for example the beautiful village of St Agnes – see other location about this place) are very close to visit…

To go there it’s very easy: take the highway A8 (coming from Italy or Nice) and go out at the exit “Menton”…. and enjoy! :

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menton_(commune)
http://www.menton.fr/
http://www.feteducitron.com/
http://www.menton.com/

written by vicuna on 2009-06-02 #places #sea #castle #carnaval #harbour #menton #border #oranges #location #italy #lemon #cote-d-azur #monaco #old-city