Menton (France): The Lemon Festival

After seeing an article quite by chance in the online Corriere della Sera, on Monday morning 4 March at 6.30 I decide to set off by car from Reggio Emilia for Menton in France, just past the state border 10 km from Ventimiglia, to take part in the event unique in Europe: the "Eightieth edition of the Lemon Festival", with the theme of around the world in 80 days! By 10 o'clock I'm already in Menton, I park the car on the seafront and decide with my camera to take some photos of the town before going into the Jardin Bioves, where the structures of lemons and oranges are set up, representing some of the most famous palaces/buildings present on the 5 continents. From the seafront and the beach you can enjoy the beautiful view of Menton lit by the sun, in which its pastel colours, typical of Ligurian towns too, stand out.

Then you can climb the Saint Michel staircase, which from the cours Bonaparte leads up towards the beautiful church of Saint Michel and the chapel of the white penitents. From here you go down the narrow and picturesque lanes of Menton to see the Chapel of the black penitents. Not to be missed is a brief visit to the old castle cemetery, from where you can enjoy the most beautiful view of Menton from above, a stunning panorama. A visit is also worth the old port with its beautiful Bastions and gardens, from here you can then follow the seafront that lets you pass in front of the Art Nouveau municipal market, the very modern Jean Cocteau museum, right up to the Casino.

Right in front of the casino are the church of St John's and the Jardin Bioves, where for 10 euros you can buy a ticket and go in to see these "fantastic" sculptures of lemons and oranges representing palaces, buildings, temples and famous sculptures from all over the world! From China to Africa, passing by the Statue of Liberty in New York right up to Big Ben in London. A journey made entirely of... lemons and oranges! Absolutely not to be missed. Bear in mind that this event usually lasts around twenty days and that there are various initiatives, above all the parades on Sundays, at night, and the lit-up gardens in the evening.

For those who, once they've visited Menton and its gardens, want to shop, they're spoiled for choice: in Rue Saint Michel there are numerous shops selling products related to lemons, oranges and lavender: from soaps, to perfumes, sweets and liqueurs, "La Cure Gourmande" recommended! I took the opportunity to also pay a visit to the Principality of Monaco since it's only 10 km from Menton, then for the evening you can stop at one of the many hotels for every budget that are in Menton, to then tackle the next day's journey enjoying, as I did, the panorama of the Ligurian coast! Happy travels to everyone!