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Major city · France

Menton

Two nights is enough: one for the old town and Cocteau, one for the cemetery and gardens. Add a third only for the Lemon Festival or a Ventimiglia run.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Menton is the last French town before Italy, a compact resort where the old town is pedestrianised and most sights sit within a 20-minute walk. It is milder than the rest of the Riviera in winter and busier than its size suggests in February, when the Lemon Festival fills it. Use it as a quiet base for the eastern Riviera, or as a half-day stop between Nice and Ventimiglia.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), mid-February if you want a quiet town
Airports
NCE · MCM
Nights
2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
  • France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
  • France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
  • France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
  • France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
  • France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Menton112 ▾
  • European emergency number112
  • Ambulance (SAMU)15
  • Police17
  • Fire18
  • By text, for deaf callers114

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Menton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee at a bar€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
  • Sit-down mealThree-course set menu, cheapest€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
  • Beerbar / supermarket can€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Cocteau and others)€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
  • Budget bedSelf-catering apartment (up to 4), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
  • High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €220 (≈ US$300)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival)Jean Cocteau Museum and the Salle des MariagesBasilique Saint-Michel-ArchangeCimetière du Vieux ChâteauGardens and citrusBorder with Italy
Airports
NCE Nice Côte d'Azur (TER train along the coast to Menton, about 35–45 min; check times, some services are busier than others.) · MCM Monaco Heliport (Helicopter from Nice airport; road or rail onward to Menton.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Menton: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

6 rd

Feb

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

6 rd

Mar

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

6 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

7 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

14°C (57°F)

6 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

17°C (63°F)

4 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

3 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

4 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

17°C (63°F)

5 rd

Oct

21°C (70°F)

14°C (57°F)

7 rd

Nov

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

7 rd

Dec

14°C (57°F)

7°C (45°F)

6 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk. The centre, port and old town are compact and largely car-free. The station sits above the town, a few minutes downhill to the seafront. Local buses run along the coast and up to the hill villages; the TER train links Nice, Monaco and Ventimiglia. Driving in is easy on the A8, but the one-way system and parking make a car a liability once you arrive.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Monacogo

Door to door: About 45 min

TER train from Menton station, about 15–20 min

Palace, casino and harbour in a half day; go early, the station is uphill from the port.

Ventimiglia, Italy

go

Door to door: About 30 min

TER train east, about 10 min

Friday flea market around the park and seafront; bring ID for the border.

Nicego

Door to door: About 1 h

TER train along the coast, about 35–45 min

Old town, Promenade des Anglais and the market at Cours Saleya; a full day.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and the Le Corbusier path

go

Door to door: About 1 h

TER train west, then walk the Sentier Le Corbusier

Sea views and the Cabanon de vacances; the path can continue toward Monaco.

Sainte-Agnès and Gorbio

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Local bus or car up into the hills

Perched villages with views; bus times are limited, check before you go.

Cannescaution

Door to door: About 1.5 h

TER train west, about 1 h 15 min

Doable as a long day, but Nice is closer and gives you more.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Old town and port

Pedestrian lanes, restaurants and the Cocteau sights on foot; no car needed, and parking is the hard part.

Garavan (east, toward Italy)

Quieter, close to the gardens and the Italian border; a 15–20 min walk or short bus ride from the centre.

Around the station and Avenue de Verdun

Best for a one-night rail stop: bags to the platform in minutes, shops and the beach nearby.

Carnolès (west)

Palais Carnolès and the western beach; a 20-min walk from the old town, flatter and calmer.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
Mid
€95–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
High
€160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × €140€280
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120€480
TER Nice airport → Menton, one way2 × €8€16
Three-course set menu, cheapest in town2 × €18€36
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15€30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€84
Trip total≈ €232 per person per day, bed included€926≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in euros; travel to Menton excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee at a bar€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
Three-course set menu, cheapest€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
Beer: bar / supermarket can€5–8 (≈ US$6–10) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
TER train Menton → Nice€6–9 (≈ US$7–11)
TER train Menton → Ventimiglia€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
Museum entry (Cocteau and others)€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Menton is a calm, low-crime resort; the real risks are the steep steps to the cemeteries, summer heat, and leaving valuables on the beach. Standard big-city care around the station at night.
  • The climb to the cemeteries and upper churches is steep, with many steps; go early and carry water.
  • Park near the port or at your hotel and leave the car; the one-way system is confusing.
  • Summer heat and beach crowds peak in July and August.
  • The Italian border is walkable, but Ventimiglia and other Italian towns are better reached by train or road.
  • Check museum and basilica opening days before you plan a day around them.

Emergency numbers

European emergency number
112
Ambulance (SAMU)
15
Police
17
Fire
18
By text, for deaf callers
114

Pocket card

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MentonMenton

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please

Emergency

  • European emergency number112
  • Ambulance (SAMU)15
  • Police17
  • Fire18

Embassy

No embassies in Menton; consulates-general in Marseille and Nice, embassies in Paris. US citizens: the consulate-general is in Marseille.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • TER Menton → Nice: about €6–9 (≈ US$7–11), 35–45 min
  • TER Menton → Monaco: about €4–6 (≈ US$5–7), 15–20 min
  • TER Menton → Ventimiglia: about €2–4 (≈ US$3–5), 10 min

Say or show

  • Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
  • Merci — Thank you (mer-SEE)
  • L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
  • Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
  • Où est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo eh la GAR)
  • Deux nuits, s'il vous plaît — Two nights, please (duh NWEE seel voo PLEH)

Menton sits on the Italian border: carry your passport or ID card if you walk or ride into Ventimiglia.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Menton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), mid-February if you want a quiet town · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for NCE: last TER departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: old town and port, Garavan, Carnolès, station and seafront.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Jean Cocteau Museum, Salle des Mariages, Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange, Cimetière du Vieux Château) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Lemon Festival fixtures: dated ticketing, crowd windows and a rain plan.

Meanwhile

Back to France

Sources