Menton: Garden at the Border

Menton, France's last town before Italy, enjoys a microclimate that allows lemons to flourish where the Alps meet the sea. The town's Belle Époque architecture, painted in warm pastels, creates an atmosphere more Italian than French. The Fête du Citron each February celebrates the golden fruit that made Menton's fortune, with fantastic sculptures created entirely from citrus.

The town's gardens rank among Europe's finest, taking advantage of the exceptional climate to grow plants from five continents. Val Rahmeh, Serre de la Madone, and Maria Serena offer different visions of paradise, their creators using the natural amphitheater between mountains and sea as a canvas for botanical artistry.

Menton's beaches, more intimate than Nice's grand strands, offer gentle swimming in protected bays. The old port maintains a fishing fleet that supplies local restaurants with the catch that distinguishes authentic cuisine from tourist fare. The Jean Cocteau Museum, housed in a striking contemporary building, celebrates the artist who made Menton his home, finding inspiration in its luminous beauty.