Event Details
Menton Lemon Festival 2027: Fête du Citron on the French Riviera
From 13 February to 1 March 2027, the small seaside town of Menton on the French Riviera transforms into a luminous world of lemons and oranges. The Fête du Citron celebrates its 93rd edition in 2027, attracting more than 250,000 visitors from around the world each year. Over 120 tonnes of citrus fruit are crafted into giant sculptures, elaborate parade floats and vibrant garden displays. Recognised as an item of France's intangible cultural heritage since 2019, this festival is genuinely unique in the world.
Highlights
- Corso des fruits d'or: Citrus float parade every Sunday from 2:30 PM along Promenade du Soleil
- Corso nocturne: Illuminated night parade every Thursday evening, closing with fireworks over the sea
- Free open-air exhibition of giant citrus sculptures in the Jardins Biovès
- Orchid Festival and Salon des orchidées at the Palais de l'Europe
- Artisan market with regional products from Menton
- Citrus fruit sold to visitors at the end of the festival
- Charming Old Town, Basilica of Saint Michael and stunning Mediterranean views
Program
The festival runs across more than 15 days and is structured around two main parade formats. The Corso des fruits d'or takes place every Sunday afternoon from 2:30 PM: elaborate floats made entirely from lemons and oranges parade along the seafront, accompanied by folk groups, brass bands and dancers from across Europe and beyond. Every Thursday evening, the Corso nocturne transforms the route into a spectacular illuminated parade closing with fireworks over the Mediterranean.
Running throughout the festival, the Jardins Biovès host the free open-air exhibition of citrus sculptures that has been a fixture since 1936. Each fruit is placed by hand by a team of specialists working thousands of hours. The Palais de l'Europe hosts the Orchid Festival, an attraction in its own right. The artisan market offers regional specialities including limoncello, citrus soap, jams, honey and olive oil infused with Menton lemon.
Tickets
Tickets are required for the Corsos. Prices below are based on the 2026 edition as a reference for 2027: Tribune (numbered grandstand seat): €30 per adult; groups: €25; reduced: €14. Promenoir (standing): €16 per adult; groups: €14; reduced: €8. Children under 6 enter free but require a complimentary ticket. Tickets are available exclusively through the official website or on-site. Early booking is strongly recommended as popular Corso dates sell out quickly. The Jardins Biovès exhibition and the artisan market are both free of charge.
Visitor Tips
- For Sunday Corsos, arrive in Menton before 11:00 AM; for Thursday Corsos, arrive before 6:00 PM.
- Travel by train (ZOU coastal line): Menton sits on the railway between Nice and the Italian border.
- Use peripheral car parks and take the shuttle bus to the festival site; driving into the centre is strongly discouraged.
- Camper vans can use the Koaland Parking exclusively on Sundays from 8:00 AM.
- Glass containers and plastic water bottles are prohibited inside the event perimeter.
- No pets allowed; guide dogs with appropriate harness are the only exception.
- Book accommodation in Menton or Nice several months in advance.
- The festival pairs perfectly with the Nice Carnival, which takes place at the same time just 30 km away.
Getting There
Menton is located on the Côte d'Azur, 30 km east of Nice and just a few kilometres from the Italian border. The nearest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, with direct train or bus connections to Menton. The Old Town, with its pastel facades, the Baroque Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel and the harbour, is entirely walkable. The festival venue around the Jardins Biovès and Promenade du Soleil sits at the heart of the town centre.
