We have just moved back from Canada to France and spent our first Sunday in Menton to visit the Lemon Festival, la Fête du Citron. We have seen it already a few times in the past, but it is always impressive to be there! Great event for all ages, my daughter was truly amazed by everything she saw there!

For those of you who don't know it, Menton, also called "City of Lemons", is a city in southeastern France, situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border.

Each year in February, the city organizes the Lemon Festival that follows a given theme each year; this year it was "Around the world in 80 days: Menton, the secret port of call". The festival is very unique: it features giant designs made exclusively from citrus fruits and floats decorated with oranges and lemons.

Main part of the festival takes place in the Jardins Biovès (Biovès gardens) in the center of the city, where you can admire all the gorgeous statues made from oranges and lemons. There is also a great parade with floats Corsos de Fruits d’Or that goes on the streets during the day and also in the evening (night parade with lights).

During the festival period, there is also a beautiful orchid exhibition organized at the Palais de l’Europe (Palace of Europe) where you can also discover local products (made mainly from lemons and oranges) as well as local arts and crafts. A must try is of course a lemon pie, la tarte au citron! If you ever come to the French Riviera in February, try to make it to Menton! You will surely enjoy the Lemon Festival!

Lemon festival in Menton