The month of February is a great time to visit the sunny Côte d’Azur. The weather is wonderful, and there are various events taking place, such as the Lemon Festival in Menton! This unique event is an absolute must if you are visiting the area.
Each year, the festival has a different theme, and when I visited in 2024, the theme was “The Olympics.” For 2025, the theme will be “Journey to the Stars,” and I’m excited to see how that inspires the creators.
Menton and the Lemon
Menton is one of my absolute favorite cities along the Côte d’Azur! Similar to Nice, with its colorful architecture and long beachfront promenade, Menton has a much more laid-back atmosphere compared to the larger city.
Menton is known for its beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, and for being the lemon capital! Lemons have played such an important role in the city’s heritage since the 17th century that the Menton lemon was awarded the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), a label of excellence. This bright citrus fruit is sought after by chefs around the world for its beautiful fragrance and mild acidity.
Whether you visit Menton during the festival or not, you’ll find shops selling every imaginable lemon product, from candles and perfumes to honey and liqueurs. An absolute must when in the city is to try a Tarte Citron—the perfect mix of citrus and sweetness. You can even find it as ice cream, which is perfect for the heat of summer.
History of the Festival
In 1928, Menton was the number-one lemon-growing region in all of Europe, and to celebrate, an exhibition was created in the gardens of the Hôtel Riviera. Due to its popularity with locals and tourists, the following year, the celebration moved to the streets with carts decorated with citrus fruits. It wasn’t until 1934 that the first official Fête du Citron was born.
Over the years, the celebrations have become more and more impressive, with incredible sculptures in the Biovès Gardens, parades, and street performances. Now, the two-week celebration takes over the entire city.
The Key Events
This vibrant festival offers a variety of events that are perfect for all ages. The most popular are the unbelievable 9-meter-tall sculptures made entirely of citrus in the Biovès Gardens. The entire garden is transformed with over 140 tonnes of citrus! As you admire the sculptures, you’ll find stalls selling lemon treats and products. Last year, they even had lemon beer! It’s free to wander through the gardens and admire the sculptures.
Another key attraction is the festive parades that take place along the city’s promenade. Every Sunday during the festival, a vibrant daytime parade of floats, performers, and orchestras celebrates the citrus fruit. On Thursday nights, there’s a night parade featuring even more music, ambiance, and sparklers!
Another great event to check out is the Orchid Festival, which takes place at the same time as the Lemon Festival. Discover the beauty and sweet scent of this delicate flower as you explore the exhibit. The Orchid Festival is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and until 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Tips for Visiting
For 2025, the Lemon Festival will take place from February 15th to March 2nd, which coincides with Carnaval de Nice. Each year, the two festivals run side by side, drawing thousands of tourists from around the world! For a less stressful experience, I recommend buying your tickets in advance if you plan to attend one of the parades.
I also highly recommend arriving a few hours early, as the city gets extremely busy, especially on Thursdays and Sundays. Along the parade route, there are restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while watching the floats go by; however, they don’t take reservations, so arrive early to snag a spot.
Lastly, I suggest taking the train to Menton from Nice rather than driving, as parking is nearly impossible to find, and some of the main roads are closed for the parade. The train ride is about 40 minutes along the coast, so you can enjoy the stunning views along the way.