Menton is a seaside town in southeastern France, right on the Italian border. It’s known for its mild climate, which makes it ideal for growing grapes and olives.
Menton has been a popular vacation destination since the 18th century, with rich tourists traveling from Paris to spend the summer there. It’s still a popular place today to enjoy the beach and relax in the sun.
History of Menton
The town has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century when it was known as the “Balcony of Europe.” The area around Menton is also known as the French Riviera, which is a resort area with many different towns and villages along the coast.
Menton was originally founded by the Romans, who named the town “Mentona.” The name means “by the mountain,” which may be a reference to Mount Ventoux, which towers over Menton.
In the Middle Ages, Menton became a favorite location for pilgrims and later became a place of refuge from pirates. In 1793, during the French Revolution, Menton became part of France again and was renamed Mentone. In 1804 Napoleon renamed Mentone back to Menton after he annexed most of Italy (including Genoa).
During World War II, Menton was occupied by Nazi Germany for three years. After WWII ended, Menton was rebuilt and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe today!
Relaxing in Menton
Menton has many beaches, including Plage de la Garoupe, Plage de Menton-Garavan, Plage des Anges and Plage du Granier. It also has many museums to explore as well as historic buildings like Le Palais Lascaris and Le Château de Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. If you want to escape from the crowds of beachgoers during your visit, then consider visiting one of these museums or castles instead!
Spending a day here:
The best thing to do in Menton is to walk around the city and enjoy all it has to offer. The architecture here is stunning, with many buildings designed by renowned architect Charles Garnier.
You’ll also find many restaurants in Menton that serve fresh seafood from the Mediterranean Sea. One of the most famous dishes here is bouillabaisse, a fish stew made with white wine, tomatoes and saffron. It’s delicious!
If you’re looking for a little exercise after all that eating, you can go for a jog along one of the many paths around town or rent a bike from one of the many shops around town. The views from these roads are amazing!
