Menton is essentially a beach resort town. It has a beautiful sea front and a very relaxed and family atmosphere. It has a feeling of greater space than its neighbouring towns with the long wide beach and boulevard style streets while the markets and cafe's in the old town are a safe pedestrian zone with plenty of activity.
Go to the beach in Menton
Menton is ultimately a beach resort with a long stretch of beach forming a fringe along the edge of the coast. On the West side of the old port the beach is wide, long and great for families with children who want to run around. Restaurants line the beach front so there is easy access to food and shops.
The east side of the port is not as large but is perhaps more elegant with beach clubs, bars and restaurants directly on the beach.
Pick your spot
You will find a variety of prices and styles, so choose where suits you depending on your needs.
Water sports in Menton.
There is a sailing and water sports centre located in Menton that offers classes and tutoring in a variety of activities. The French school of sailing has catamarans, dinghies, canoes, kayaks and windsurfing.
The use of motorised water sports, such as jet ski's, is more regulated than in other countries and, for jet ski's above a certain engine size, you will be required to have a specific license. It keeps everything safe and also means that the coast is not inundated with the noise and danger to swimmers and snorkellers.
Take a course
Learning something new and getting out on the water at the same time is a good way to do it with children on board, safe, controlled and fun.
Safety on the sea
The beaches in the South of France are manned by qualified lifeguards all through the summer season. The beaches are cleaned and patrolled on a daily basis as well as being under the care of a tourist police force who's presence keep even petty crime to a minimal.
In the water, divers and snorkellers are required to do so with markers to show where they are diving or swimming if they are outside the protected zone. During the high season markers are laid out in the sea protecting an area of 200 metres out to sea for the exclusive and safe use of swimmers. Boats are not allowed to put into shore except in lanes that are specifically marked as such.
Speed limits in the ports and Marinas are strictly monitored and also in enclosed bays and areas where there are likely to be a lot of swimmers or children out on the water. It is generally felt that a good balance is achieved where by the motor boaters give a wide berth to the beaches and swimmers are safe in the sea.
Take a boat trip from Menton
It's one of the great pleasures of the South of France and is getting more and more accessible to more people all the time. Look for small independent boat owners who will take you out for day trips, hire your own boat with or without a skipper or take one of the small ferry rides that operate up and down the coast.
You will find boat operators in the old port of Menton and the best way to make contact is to simply go along to the port and find them. Prices vary but you can get out on the water for as little as €40.
Watch the fireworks from the water
Every year there are firework shows all along the coast, some operators offer boat trips to watch them from.
What to do in Menton
For couples
Beaches in Menton
Menton has a lot of beach front stretching from Roquebrune all the way to Garavanne. There is a great strip of beach lined by a raised promenade that stretches between the two ports. You'll find a variety of beach clubs offering different food, music and ambiance.
It's a good spot if you like your beach trips a little more catered to and elegant and the atmosphere is highly conducive to stretching out the day into early evening cocktails to ease out of the heat of the day and starlit dinners for two.
Choose the right ambiance
There are different themes. Try Le Festival if you want music and dancing or L'Imperial for more mellow beach and dining experience.
Visit the gardens in Menton
The town motto is 'My city is a garden' for a reason and Menton is famous for the exquisitely maintained gardens. A beautifully planted town anyway it is also home to seven remarkable gardens with fascinating histories.
Many of them were designed and planted by 18th century English botanists and are maintained with the same labour of love with which they were conceived. Even if you are not interested in gardening yourself they are beautiful spaces to inhabit.
Read up on them before you go
They have varying histories and opening times. Look in the 'what to see' in Menton section for more information.
Attend the festivals in Menton
In the South of France the local communes in charge of the towns and villages always organise a full summer itinerary for the pleasure of residents and visitors.
Monaco has it's Grand Prix, Cannes the film festival while Menton has a Citrus festival, a musique festival and, this year in 2008, a Tango spectacular. It is worth searching them out if your holiday coincides with these events as they are always a sight to behold.
Find information on the official tourist websites
The musique festival is a classical extravaganza of world famous musicians performing.
What to do in Menton
For a group of friends
Hit the Casino in Menton
Almost every town on the Cote d'Azur has a Casino if you feel like a flutter. The Monte Carlo casino is probably the most famous and the grandest but Menton's own Casino is a pretty building in the centre of town and may suit more modest wallets.
You'll find slot machines, playing tables, poker tables, nightclub,theatre, bar and two restaurants. The setting couldn't be better, right on the seafront sodress up and enjoy yourselves for an evening.
It is part of a large chain of Casinos
So you can expect a high standard and a professional outfit. Open till 4 am at the weekends.
Dine out in Menton
The food in Menton has a decidedly Italian flavour and, with many Italians frequenting the town, the standard is very high as bad food is simply rewarded with poor custom. Wander along the beach front in Summer between the two ports for a choice of beach front restaurants and dining experiences.
These places are great for a bunch of mates to gather at as they feel more spacious and free for a crowd to 'take over'. The restaurants are sited beneath a high promenade and the road so you have a sense of being away from the town and dining al fresco with a sea view is always a pleasure.
Look and listen
If a place is crowded, listen to see if most of the patrons are French or Italian, local or tourists? Is is a good indication if the diners are residents.
Renting holiday apartments and villas in Menton
Menton has a wealth of apartments and villas as its mild climate has inspired holidaying visitors for generations. To see what rentals are available for your holiday in Menton then use the search facility below and click on apartments or villas. You can also click on 'Browse Rental' in the main menu to see all the options available for your 'vacance en France'. Thank you for using Riviera Rental Guide.
Quaint apartment in a traditional house set amongst the enchanting cobbled streets of old town Menton, and around the corner from the impressive St Michel Basilica and Sablettes Beach. Its balcony has views over the rooftops and of the sea beyond.
Fabulous 9 bedroom villa with stunning views of the Bay of Monaco. Features a pool, terraces, summer kitchen, spacious living area, twin jacuzzi, hammam, modern kitchen, WiFi, separate guest house, safety vault and air-conditioning.
This apartment is in a converted grand villa, accessed through a private courtyard. It is located in the heart of Menton, between the Palais de l'Europe and town hall, surrounded by fashionable boutiques and traditional restaurants.
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