MENTON
Why visit Menton
Menton has a very distinct atmosphere about it that separates it from the rest of the French Riviera. In part it is perhaps because it is divided from the rest of France by the pirincipality of Monaco and also because it is the last town in France before entering Italy.
It's situation means that it has a decidedly Italian flavour not least because it has, on several occasions in the course of the complicated history of these parts, been Italian but also, as a border town, it attracts many Italians to live and work in this part of France.
Apart from the Italian influence, which manifests itself in the food, the architecture and the spirit of the place there is something else about Menton, something different. The decorative buildings left over from the grandiose Belle Epoch era are present and correct but, rather than feeling like a pretty French town, Menton leaves an impression of something of and old Victorian spa town. There remains an Englishness that inexpliquably lingers.
| The history of Menton however goes far further back than the British tourist invasion of the late 1800's. It's history is less well documentated than other towns on the French Rivera but there is evidence of early prehistoric man in these parts and it was certainly populated by pockets of the Ligurain tribespeople that lived on the land across the entire region.
The first settlement, a fortified town on the hill, called Puypin, was documented in 1146. It was ruled under the Count Guido Guerra of Ventimiglia in a time before France or Italy existed as they do today.
The town developed closer to the sea along the Roman road Via Julia Augusta and in 1251 we hear mention of the name Menton for the first time. The town remained under the protection of Genoa and, with the rise of the Grimaldi family in the region, it fell under the ownership of Charles Grimaldi and became a part of Monaco.
Menton was important to Monaco as it was something of a garden to the Principality with the main activities being fishing and farming. It helped to feed the population.
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Free town
However Menton's 4000 inhabitants at the time decided to break away from Monaco, for mostly economic reasons, and declare itself a free city. It could only do this under the protection of Sardinia, sworn enemies of the ruling families of Genoa. It would be the begining of a period of time of particular unrest for Menton.
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A selection of our vacation rentals in Menton |
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Marvellous Belle Epoque villa located in a prime position overlooking the sea and the port in Menton. It is a rare and...
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Find your vacation rental in Menton |
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Immediate Area |
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