How to Visit the Menton Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron)

Last Updated on 4th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

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.

2024 marks the 90th edition of the festival. The theme is from Olympia to Menton. The festival will take place from February 17th to March 3rd.

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 2024 is from Olympia to Menton. Previous themes have included Disney 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

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 (Exposition des Motifs d’Agrumes)

One of the more popular activities at the festival is simply to stroll through the Biovès Gardens, where you can enjoy larger than life free to see lemon sculptures. There are a number of stalls which resemble those of the Christmas Markets and sell all sorts of lemon themed products from soaps to citrus trees.

The Gardens of Lights (Jardins de Lumières)

At night time, all of the sculptures are illuminated. Strolling amongst the statues after dusk was probably my favourite time as many of the day trippers had left the town and so you had more of the place to yourself, not to mention that the citrus fruits looked much more beautiful post dusk!

The Golden Fruit Parade (Corso des Fruits d’Or)

There are also ticketed events. 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 processions are accompanied by dancers, folk bands, etc.

The Night-Time Parade (Corso Nocturne)

For two nights only during the festival period, there’s a night-time version of the Golden Fruit Parade which finishes at 10:30 PM, before there’s a firework display.

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, and I particularly recommend going to see them at night as they are illuminated by beautiful pastel hued lights. If you want to go to any of the spectacles, then you’ll need to book tickets in advance and consider arriving via train as the car parks can get pretty busy and full!

Unfortunately you can’t bring your dog with you, 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 sound of lapping waves and the screeches of seagulls up above. 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

Enjoyed reading about how to visit the Menton Lemon Festival? Pin this article now, read it again later: