How to Enjoy Menton, France

Maritime Alps as seen from the Menton HI Hostel

Menton, France is a small city located on the French Riviera near the Italian border. It exists in the shadow of the bigger nearby attractions such as Monte Carlo and Nice, but it is a nice place to stay in order to get away from the busier places. The city is situated where some pretty good-sized hills come right down to the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a few of its own attractions, along with some close-by hot spots such as Monaco.

Instructions

1. Stay at the Hostelling International Menton. It is located high on a hill that overlooks the city. To get to the hostel, you will have to climb a thousand stairs from the train station, and you will find it located in one corner of an RV campground. The hostel has its own special space. The view from the hostel is magnificent and the staff is very helpful.

2. Explore the waterfront and old-town area of Menton. The architecture is very interesting, especially for the sub-tropical aura that it presents. The sidewalk winds along the shore of the Mediterranean for a good distance. Here you will find many popular restaurants and bars.

3. Visit Menton during the Festival of the Oranges, which occurs at the same time of year as the Carnival in nearby Nice--the last few days before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. This festival is more family friendly than the big event in Nice.

4. Swim in the Mediterranean. There are some very nice wide sandy beaches that are good for sunbathing and swimming. The small body of water here is called the Baie de Soleil and you can join the crowds in the downtown area or wander away from town for some peace and quiet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are traveling around Europe, you might need a vacation from your vacation. This is a good place for this. Menton is a great place to stay while visiting the very popular resort areas of Monaco and Nice. Visit the palaces and casinos at Monaco. This is a half-hour train ride that takes you to a very different place, a city-state monarchy with a world-renowned casino.

• Understanding something of the French language will enhance your visit.