Menton Things to Do

At the end of the 19th century, a few english people who were very keen on botany decided to create this garden.
From 1925 on Lord Radcliff, the governor of Malte, added plants that he had carried back from the two hemispheres to it.
In 1967, this garden became the Mediterranean Center of the
National Museum of Natural History.
This garden is more specifically enriched in the Solanaceae family plants.
It also displays exotic fruit trees.
Thanks to the exceptional climate of the Garavan area, you can find citrus fruits, Central America avocados, Topical American annonas and so many others.

Most popular and famous is the "Jardin du Val Rameh", a garden that is easily reached from the centre and offers a dazzling collection of plants and flowers. Over 700 species are collected from all over the world and growing here in a beautiful garden surrounding an old Englis mansion. In the pond the Indian Lotus flower grows and also special attention to the citrus fruite trees, such as avocado, white sapotille, guave and passionfruite.

Some other interesting gardens are:
"Jardin des Colombieres", writer and landscape architect Ferdinand Bac created this small park, which is now privat property. Tours can be made by appointment.
"Jardin des Romanciers" is around the Villa Fontana Rosa and is especially known for it's small pavillions and pergola's in a Spanish influenced place.
"Jardin de Maria Serena" offers you many palmtrees and the climatological "softest" place in France.
"Oliveraie du Pian" is actually originally a large olive tree yard with more then 500 olive trees of 100 years and older.
"Serre de la Madone en Clos du Peyronnet" is for the lover of true seldom exotic plants. Privat property, so first request entrance.

For those who do not have the time to go to one of the exquisit gardens in Menton, maybe the central park of Menton will do? "Jardin Bioves" stretches out between the Casino and along the hall of congress. In it several orange and lemon trees, as well as fountains and colourful flowerbeds everywhere. Remarkable is the statue of Volti: "Goddess with the golden fruites". the view towards the mountains is here quite spectacular.

From the beach side of Menton (or the yaught harbour) the houses rise up high and steep, as if the town is made by large colourful blocks pressed against a rocky mountain. In between the blocks stairs lead up and eventually you standon the "Parvis St-Michel" or Saint Michael's square. The square itself is a mozaik that represents still the Grimaldi-weapon (Monaco royal family). Rising high above the square are the facades of the two main churches of Menton: the "Chapelle de la Conception" and the "Basilica St-Michel-Archange" (Archangel Saint Michael). This square is magnificent and the true centre of Menton. The style surrounding you is baroque and with a lot of Italian influence.

The largest baroque church in the wide surroundings of Menton arises in front of you, when you stand in front of the Basilica of Archangel Saint Michael. To the left of the yellow-green facade stands the oldest part, dating back to the 15th century. The rest is made in the 17th and 18th century and has many Genuan styles in the baroque (such as the "Campanille" tower). The interior of the church is truely a wonder of art, or should I say "arts". Paintings, retables, sculptures and a dazzling display of colours, silver, gold and marble everywhere. The roof is painted in a wonderful way too. One can stay for hours here and discover something new every minute.

Menton streets have a very nice and cosy atmosphere. the colours of the houses, the small and various shops, the mixed Italian-French styles and people ... all add to this specific wonder for visitors. Very nice are the markets, such as the large food market near where the Promenade du Soleil meets the Quay de Monleon. Here many exotic fruits, dishes and vegetables are sold. Outside there often is a art and antique market, that only improves this warm and wonderful atmosphere.

The labyrinth that one finds in the old part of Menton is a true criss-cross of streets, alleys, going steep up and down with many stairs and pressed in between high building. The streets are shadowy and sometimes little chaotic with laundry hanging from the windows and stairs being half maintained. Still, the streets breath a very speific style and the pastel teints bring colour here and there. Sometimes a palmtree or like in the picture a huge cactus, brings nature back in the street scenery.