99% of people don't know about the magical lemon town, where the whole city smells of citrus

📍[Destination Highlights] 1. A pilgrimage site for lemon culture Menton, located on the French Riviera in southeastern France and bordering Italy, is known as the "Lemon Capital of France." With a 200-year history of lemon cultivation, it hosts the grand Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) every February, using millions of citrus fruits to create giant sculptures and parade floats, making it a "sweet and sour art carnival." 2. Neighbor of Biarritz, a Mediterranean secret Compared to the hustle and bustle of Nice, Menton is more tranquil. Cobblestone streets, bright yellow lemon-themed buildings, and the azure coastline intertwine, making it easy to capture Instagram-worthy photos. Climb to the top of the Basilique Saint-Michel to overlook the panorama, with colorful houses and lemon groves in full view. 3. A lemon feast on the tip of your tongue From lemon ice cream and liqueur to lemon stewed fish, Menton incorporates the sour and refreshing flavor into every delicacy. Be sure to try the lemon-flavored gelato at Tutti Frutti ice cream shop, where the sweet and sour freshness hits your taste buds directly. --- 🗺️[Must-Visit Attractions and Experiences] 🌿 Nature and Art - Jardins Biovès (Lemon Festival Theme Garden) If you visit in February, you can see giant sculptures built with 300,000 citrus fruits. The float parade is matched with a light show, like a fairy tale world. - Escaliers du Roi Albert Ier (Orange-Yellow Steps) A popular spot for photos with the church in the background. The orange-yellow steps form a strong visual impact with the Mediterranean blue. It is recommended to shoot at sunrise or sunset. 🏰 History and Architecture - Basilique Saint-Michel A New Byzantine-style church with mosaic inlays inside that tell biblical stories. Climb to the top to overlook the panoramic view of the town. - Menton Viewpoint A glass viewing platform on the cliff, with a 360° view of the Mediterranean Sea, lemon groves, and the Nice coastline. It looks even more mysterious when it is cloudy and foggy. 🍋 In-depth Experience - La Route du Citron (Lemon Road) Drive or hike to explore traditional orchards, participate in lemon picking (May–September), and learn to make lemon jam and liqueur. - Bus Station of Positano Although located in Italy, Menton and Positano are only separated by the sea. You can take a 30-minute boat ride to reach the colorful steps in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun." --- 🍴[Food Map] Sweet and Sour Storm Guide - Must-Eat List - Sorbetto Limone: A hollowed-out lemon shell filled with smoothie, sweet and sour. - Limoncello: A lemon liqueur with 30% alcohol, a must-have after a meal. - Lobster Lemon Pasta: Freshly bought lobster from the seafood market, cooked by the restaurant and drizzled with lemon butter sauce. - Snack Recommendations - Parenthese Doree Fried Seafood Platter: Served with lemon juice to remove the fishy smell and enhance the flavor. - Lemon Candy and Honey: Buy handmade products at the market as souvenirs. --- 🚗[Transportation and Accommodation] 🚆 Transportation - Plane: Fly to Nice International Airport (NCE), then take the TER train to Menton Station (40 minutes) or take a taxi (30 minutes). - Self-driving: Drive for 40 minutes from Nice along the RN7 highway and navigate to the Parking Old Town parking lot. 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations - Seaside Homestay: Such as "Casa delle Camelie", a 5-minute walk to the beach, some room types have a lemon tree courtyard (approx. EUR 120/night). - High-end Hotel: Le Sirenuse, a two-Michelin-star restaurant + infinity sea view terrace (approx. EUR 800/night). - Value for Money Choice: Hôtel Pastoral, renovated from a century-old house, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the lemon garden (approx. EUR 90/night). --- 💡[Useful Tips] 1. Best Season - February: Lemon Festival Carnival (February 15–28), but accommodation needs to be booked in advance. - May–September: The climate is pleasant, suitable for hiking and beach vacations, avoiding the peak tourist season in summer (July–August). 2. Avoid the Pitfalls - Be careful when buying "handmade lemon soap". Some stores have high prices. It is recommended to compare prices at the Marché des Halles market. - Pay attention to one-way streets when driving. The roads in the town are narrow. It is recommended to park your car in the parking lot and then walk around. 3. Cultural Etiquette - Keep quiet in the church, and avoid exposing yourself in summer (shoulders and back need to be covered). - When communicating with locals, you can learn simple French: "Un citron, s'il vous plaît? (Please give me a lemon)". --- 📅[Itinerary Template] - One-day Tour: Stroll through the old town → Saint-Michel Church → Lemon Festival Garden (February) → Escaliers steps photo → Tutti Frutti ice cream → Seafood dinner. - Two-day Tour: Day 1: Lemon Road orchard picking → Positano half-day tour → Lemon liqueur tasting. Day 2: Saint-Michel Church → Menton Viewpoint → Seafood market purchase → Night tour of the lemon light show. --- "In Menton, even breathing is the fragrance of lemon." Take this guide and start your lemon adventure in the South of France!