In 1929, the city of Menton is the first producer of lemon in Europe. A hotelkeeper has the idea of organizing an exhibition of flowers and of citrus fruit in the gardens of the Hotel Riviera.

Success is such as next year, wagons of bushes planted of oranges and lemons march on streets with delightful Mentonnaises. The municipality, eager to develop tourism, tries to give to Carnival a typically local colour and institutes the " fête du citron" in 1934. Since then you can admire every year the parade in the streets of Menton and the exibition of scenes in the Jardin des lumières.

More information on http://www.feteducitron.com/#1

Fête du citron - Menton visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Fête du citron' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Alpes Maritimes.

The Expositions d'agrumes (Citrus Expositions of Lemon Festival) is one of the highlights of the annual festival calendar in Menton and a large tourist attraction. The festival is held between February and March each year and draws over 200,000 visitors who watch the stunning displays and see amazing sculptures created out of citrus fruits.

The hotels Menton and hotels in the surrounding villages are quickly booked out during the Expositions d'agrumes. It is advisable to book hotels or other accommodation well in advance. Cheap flights to the region also increase in price during the festival season. All events during the Expositions d'agrumes festival are ticketed.

Expositions d'agrumes - Highlights

• Jardin Biovès - walled off and filled with large creations formed of citrus fruits. Entrance fees apply.
• Citrus Produce - stands selling specialist, citrus and lemon based products.
• Corsos des fruits d'or (the Parade of Golden Fruits) - parade through the town on Sundays during the festival and along the seaside.
• Corsos nocturnes (Night parades) - Thursday night parades with dancers, culminating in firework displays.
• Jardins de lumières (Gardens of Light) - also on Thursday nights, the Jardin Biovès is illuminated and filled with music and dancers.

Menton Tourist Information Office
8 avenue Boyer
06506 Menton
Phone: 00 33 (0)4 92 41 76 76
Email tourisme@menton.fr
Web: menton.fr

Flight: Nice Airport and then train
Train: Menton Station with trains to Nice and Monte Carlo
Car: Menton is on the E80/E74, about 30km east of Nice, 10km east of Monte Carlo. It is 2km west of the Italian Border and 10km west of Ventimiglia in Italy.