This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
One of the winter events I looked forward to most while living on the French Riviera was the Menton Lemon Festival. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the sunny but cool winter days after the holiday season is over. If you love all things citrus, you will definitely want to add this event to your list!
History of the Menton Lemon Festival
The Menton Lemon Festival in France is a two-week celebration held in the latter part of February and sometimes into March. Several organizations work on elaborate sculptures and parade floats for many days to delight festival-goers throughout the celebration.
Hoteliers in the area started a festival in 1896 to boost tourism. This festival was more about entertainment and celebrating the mild weather in the South of France, not lemons at all. It quickly became popular with residents but also with wealthy winter visitors (including royal families) who came to the French Riviera to escape the frigid cold in their countries.
By the 1920s, Menton was the largest citrus producer on the European continent! City leaders eventually redeveloped the festival, and the Fête du Citron of Menton began in 1934.
Today, the displays do not use lemons from Menton since Menton citrus is protected. However, you can find vendors within the festival and throughout the town that sell products made with authentic Menton lemons. I highly recommend trying some!
Fête du Citron – What to Expect
Important Dates
The lemon festival in Menton is typically held during the last two weeks of February. This also usually coincides with the dates of the Nice Carnaval.
Visiting the French Riviera for these incredible festivals is a fantastic way to escape the cold winters of the northern hemisphere. The Cote d’Azur winter temperatures are mild and usually range between the 50s and 60s (Fahrenheit) during the day and 40s at night.
The Menton Lemon Festival 2026 will be held from February 14th to March 1st. This year’s theme is Merveilles du Vivant or Wonders of Life! Check out the official website to see all the new and returning events happening during the festival.
Themes
Each year, the Menton Lemon Festival’s sculptures and parade floats follow a specific theme. The 2025 Menton Lemon Festival theme was “Voyages dans les étoiles”, which translates to “journey to the stars”.
Admittedly, this space theme was pretty bittersweet for us since we left the South of France for Woodrow to join the Space Force just the year before. Ironic much? Some of our favorite themes we’ve experienced in the past include Bollywood, classic rock and opera, and world festivals.
You can find a full list of Lemon Festival themes since 1959 here on the official Fête du Citron website.
Expositions
The main part of the Menton Lemon Festival is the exposition of sculptures constructed with lemons and oranges. Entry is free for the exposition, and you can move around freely throughout the exhibition space.
There is also an arts and crafts exhibition as well as the Orchid Festival happening at the same time in the Palais de l’Europe. Admission is also free to these events!
I highly recommend attending all the free events. The main exposition, held in Menton’s Jardin Biovès, is a breathtaking sight. The arts and crafts exhibition and the Orchid Festival also showcase beautiful displays and are excellent places to find souvenirs.
Parade
There are so many events happening during the lemon festival that it’s hard to go through them all. After the main exhibition, the most popular events are the parades! Each year, there are two daytime parades and two nighttime parades.
The parades do require tickets if you’d like to sit in the risers, and they go fast! However, we’ve been able to enjoy the parades for free just by standing on the sidewalks. The parades are really similar to ones you’d find in the US — think floats, dance teams, bands, and more. They even had a hula halau performance one year, which made my Hawaiian heart v happy.
Food and Drink
After the sculptures, indulging in all the delicious food and drinks at the Lemon Festival is my favorite part! As you enter the Jardin Biovès to admire the sculptures, you’ll find local vendors selling everything from magnets to delicious sweet treats. We’ve bought incredible locally-made limoncello and lemon-flavored olive oil that we go back for year after year.
You can find many other mouthwatering citrus-themed products throughout the town. One of my favorite spots is Patisserie La Suisse on Rue Saint-Michel. They have the most delicious traditional lemon tarts that are the perfect size for splitting with your partner or eating all by yourself!
If you’re looking for souvenirs made with local products, check out Maison Herbin and Le Comptoir de Mathilde.
Tips for Visiting
- Get there early! Especially if you’re visiting during the parades, I highly recommend planning to get there ahead of time.
- Take public transportation (if possible). Parking is limited during the Menton Lemon Festival, so taking the train is better. The train will also be crowded, so aim for a train or two earlier than you’d typically plan to go.
- Buy your tickets in advance. Tickets to paid events like parades sell out quickly, so snag them as soon as you plan to go.
FAQ
Is there an admission fee to attend the Menton Lemon Festival?
There is no admission fee to attend the Menton Lemon Festival. However, there is an admission fee for the parades.
Are the Lemon Festival sculptures actually made with lemons from Menton?
No, Menton’s lemon festival sculptures are not made with Menton lemons. Menton lemons have become rare and are now a protected product. Instead, you can find products such as jams and limoncello made with Menton lemons.
