How to Visit the Menton Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron)
Last Updated on 16th February 2026 by Charlotte Nadeau
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Sparkling Menton is the jewel of the French Riviera, a pastel-hued dream filled with Italianate architecture and surrounded by a sea of lemon groves. Each February, the town plays host to the prestigious Fête du Citron, where all things citrus are celebrated. Here’s how to visit the Menton lemon festival and what to know before you go!
2026 marks the 92nd edition of the festival. This year, the theme is “Wonders of Life” (Merveilles du vivant) -celebrating the natural citrus patterns in all their glory. The festival will take place from February 14th to March 1st, 2026.
Contents
History of the Menton Lemon Festival
Back in 1929, Menton was the biggest lemon producer in Europe. A lemon festival has been held in Menton on an annual basis since 1934, when the unique world event was founded.
Although it was founded earlier, there has only been a carnival element since 1955 and there has only been a theme since 1959. Each year sees no fewer than 240,000 visitors who wish to see the floats and events for themselves.
Today, the event is one of the largest winter events on the French Riviera (second only to Nice Carinval). There is a different theme each year, and the theme for 2025 is from Travel to the Stars. Previous themes have included Disney, Olympia to Menton, and Around the World.
The mascot of the town is ‘John Lemon,’ the cartoon of a lemon who sports an Elvis Presley like hairstyle and who is on the poster for all events. There’s even a larger than life sculpture of John Lemon at the nearby Nice Airport, where you can buy lemon themed products prior to your flight!
The festival lasts for 20 days and over 20,000 elastic bands are used to hold the 140 tonnes of fruit in place. Each evening and early morning during the event, a dedicated team use cherry pickers to replace any mouldy lemons/ oranges with fresh ones.
Lemon festival themes in recent years:
- 2001 : Les Contes de Perrault/ The counts of Perrault
- 2002 : Pinocchio
- 2003 : Alice au Pays des Merveilles/ Alice in Wonderland
- 2004 : Walt Disney Studio
- 2005 : Viva Espana/ Long live Spain
- 2006 : Menton invite les Carnavals du monde – invité d’honneur « Le Brésil »/ Brazil Carnival
- 2007 : Menton invite les Carnavals du monde – invité d’honneur « l’Inde »/ Indian Carnival
- 2008 : Menton invite les Iles du Monde/ Islands of the world
- 2009 : Menton fête les musiques du monde/ Music festivals of the world
- 2010 : Menton fait son cinéma/ Menton creates the drama
- 2011 : Menton célèbre les grandes civilisations/ Great Civilizations
- 2012 : Menton invite les régions de France/ Regions of France
- 2013 : Menton l’escale secrète du tour du monde en 80 jours/ Around the World in 80 Days
- 2014 : 20 000 lieues sous les mers/ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- 2015 : « Les tribulations d’un citron en chine/ Jules Verne theme continuation
- 2016 : Cinecittà/ Cinemaville
- 2017 : Broadway
- 2018 : Bollywood
- 2019 : Des mondes fantastiques/ Fantastical worlds
- 2020 : Les Fêtes du monde/ World festivals
- 2022 : Opéras et Danses/ Opera and dances
- 2023: Rock & Opera
- 2024: From Olympia to Menton
- 2025: Travel to the Stars
- 2026: Wonders of Life
What happens to the lemons after the festival?
Once the festival has ended, the lemons and oranges are sorted by hand into the ones which can still be sold and the ones which need to be composted (because they’ve gone mouldy) and are sold at a special Sunday market. It’s worth noting that the lemons used in the Menton lemon festival are not actually grown in Menton but in Spain.
Events at the festival
Sculptures in Biovès Gardens (Exhibition of citrus patterns)
The Biovès Gardens are the cradle of Menton’s lemon festival, and have been elaborately decorated annually ever since 1936. So, one of the most popular activities at the festival is to simply stroll through the gardens and enjoy larger-than-life free-to-see lemon sculptures.
This year, the garden is celebrating citrus patterns, inviting visitors to marvel at the sculptures while taking in the intricate natural details of the citrus fruits themselves.
Craftsmanship Market
“Sunny flavours and scents” – Along the garden sides, you’ll also see several wooden huts selling all sorts of lemon-themed products from soaps to citrus trees. This market focuses on artisans selling gourmet delights and souvenirs to take home from the festival.
Lemony delights, local cheeses, charcuterie, nougat, and golden honeys are the kinds of things you can expect to find here. Many of the stalls offer free samples to taste too!
The Gardens of Lights (Jardins de Lumières)
At nighttime, all of the sculptures are illuminated, which is an even more magical way to soak up the lemony statues. Strolling through the festival after dusk generally offers a quieter period, as many of the day trippers leave Menton, and so you have more of the place to yourself.
The Golden Fruit Parade (Corso des Fruits d’Or)
Each weekend, on a Sunday afternoon, there’s a parade of citrus floats which head through the town along the seafront on the Promenade du Soleil for tens of thousands of spectators. These vibrant processions are accompanied by dancers, folk bands, etc.
This year, the Golden Fruit Parade is hosted on the 15th and 22nd of February and the 1st of March 2026.
The Night-Time Parade (Promenade du Soleil)
For two nights during the festival period, there’s a nighttime version of the Golden Fruit Parade. The illuminated procession features citrus-themed floats, fireworks, and plenty of dance performances.
This year, the night parade will take place on the 19th and 26th of February from 9 pm until 10:30 pm.
Orchid and Winter Garden Show
As of this year, another contender for the brightest of colours comes to the festival in the form of an orchid garden. Found on the 1st floor of the Palais de l’Europe, this serene, luscious green space offers visitors a moment of calm from the hustle and bustle of the festival. Inviting a chance to marvel at the elegance and simple beauty of orchids.
This garden has a separate entry fee of €1.50, but you can book online on their official website here.
How to visit the festival
The Menton lemon festival is one of my favourite events in southern France, and I love discovering the new and wonderful sculptures that the organisers come up with each year!
It’s free to see the sculptures in the Biovès Gardens are free to view, but separate events like the smaller exhibitions and night parade are ticketed. So, if you want to go to any of the festival’s spectacles, then you’ll need to book tickets in advance online and consider arriving via train as the car parks can get pretty busy and full!
The festival’s main guidance is that if you are visiting on Sundays, it’s advised to arrive in Menton before 1 pm. If visiting on Thursdays, arrive in Menton before 6 pm.
Unfortunately, you can’t bring your dog with you (or any animal for that matter- for hygiene reasons), and large bags are prohibited. You also can’t bring along any of the things that you couldn’t bring to a big festival or museum (weapons, firecrackers, etc).
The closest airport is Nice, which serves a variety of national and international destinations, including a number of flights to London Heathrow. There are direct trains from Nice to Menton throughout the day, which stop off at all the various other French Riviera towns en route.
Where to stay in Menton
Imagine waking up every day to the gentle sound of lapping waves and the distant seabirds singing their morning tune. This is the reality of life in Menton, even if you only opt to stay for a few days.
I’ve visited the French Riviera multiple times now, and have stayed overnight in Menton, which was worth it, if only to enjoy the town after the day trippers had left. Here are some of the best places to stay in Menton:
Mid-range: Steps away from the Musée Jean Cocteau and not far away from the maze of streets that make up Menton’s old town, the Royal Westminster Hotel is set alongside the backdrop of the Promenade du Soleil. As beautiful on the outside as the rooms offered within, this hotel boasts a Belle Epoque facçade with some rooms offering sea views. Check rates and availability here
Luxury: Truth be told, one of the most luxurious hotels in Menton is that of Napoleon, a four-star establishment which is well-reviewed across booking and review sites.
Close to the sea and featuring luxury amenities such as an outdoor pool, 24-hour reception desk, and some rooms offering beachside views, other highlights include free Wi-Fi and a bar on site. Check rates and availability here
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