Is Menton Worth Visiting? My Honest Review (2026)

The small villages of the French Riviera had been on my bucket list for YEARS! After constantly delaying my trip to the south of France, I finally booked my flights to Nice.

Since I’m on a mission to visit every country in the world, this time I chose Monaco as my next country. And yes, I wasn’t going to miss the chance to visit the beautiful villages of the French Riviera while I was there. I finally made that dream come true.

In this guide I’ll answer the basic question: is Menton worth visiting? I’ll share my personal experience visiting Menton on a day trip from Nice, what I liked, what I didn’t like, the best things to do, and a few practical tips to help you decide if Menton deserves a spot on your French Riviera itinerary.

Is Menton Worth Visiting?
My Quick Answer

I feel like I say this a lot, but Menton is absolutely worth visiting. In fact, I think the French Riviera should be on everyone’s bucket list because this region really doesn’t disappoint.

Most people visit Nice, Cannes or Monaco, but Menton ended up being one of my favorite stops. It’s colorful, relaxed, easy to explore, and honestly one of those places that looks even prettier in real life.

Let me show you why I think Menton is worth visiting.

What I Loved About Menton

Honestly, there wasn’t much not to love about Menton.

Before coming to the French Riviera, I spent ages trying to decide which town I wanted to visit. There are so many beautiful places along the coast that I honestly wanted to see all of them, but since I only had time for one, I had to choose.

In the end, I picked Menton, and after visiting, I genuinely think I made the right choice. It had everything I imagined when I thought about a small French Riviera village: colorful streets, beautiful beaches, restaurants by the sea, and a really relaxed atmosphere. It somehow looked even better in real life than in all the photos I’d seen online.

I also loved that it didn’t feel like one of those places where you’re constantly running from one tourist attraction to another. I could just wander around, get lost in the little streets, stop for a coffee, sit by the beach, and enjoy the views without feeling like I was missing something.

Another thing I really liked was how calm it felt compared to places like Nice or Monaco. It was busy enough to have a nice atmosphere but never felt overwhelming, which made it one of my favorite places I visited on the French Riviera and a place that is defnitely worth visiting.

What I didn’t love so much about Menton

To be honest, there wasn’t much I didn’t like about Menton. It’s a beautiful village, it delivered exactly what I was expecting, and it was even better than the photos I’d seen online.

I will say that Menton isn’t the kind of place you visit to tick off a long list of tourist attractions. It’s a quiet, colorful and beautiful village where simply wandering around is part of the experience. But if you’re the kind of traveler who likes having a full list of attractions to visit from morning until night, Menton might feel a little too quiet.

It’s also worth mentioning that Menton—and the French Riviera in general—is expensive. There are plenty of great restaurants and cafés, but don’t expect them to be budget-friendly.

Is Menton safe for solo female travelers?

I only visited Menton on a day trip, so I can’t really say how safe it is overall since I only spent a few hours there during the afternoon.

What I can say is that I felt safe the entire time I was there. I never felt like I needed to watch my back or worry about my safety.
I walked all around the village, including a few streets where there was literally no one around because I got lost, and even then I never felt unsafe.

I’ve now been to Paris, Nice and Menton, and from my personal experience, Menton actually felt like the safest of the three. Although, to be fair, I’m comparing two huge cities with a small village on the French Riviera.

Also Read: Is Menton, France safe? My honest experience as a solo female traveler (2026)

My Top Things do to in Menton

Menton isn’t the kind of place where you spend the day rushing from one attraction to another. I think the best way to enjoy it is simply walking around and taking your time. These are the things I enjoyed the most during my few hours exploring Menton:

• Wander around Menton’s colorful Old Town
• Walk along the seafront promenade
• Relax on one of Menton’s beaches
• Climb up the cemetery viewpoint for one of the best views over the town of Menton
• Visiting the Basilica of Saint-Michel
• Stop for a coffee or lunch by the sea
• Watch the stunning stunset from the waterfront
  

If you only have a few hours like I did, don’t stress about trying to see everything. I think Menton is one of those places where simply wandering around without a plan is half the experience. That’s exactly what I did, and it ended up being one of my favorite day trips on the French Riviera.

Practical Information for Visiting Menton

How to get to Menton

The easiest way to get to Menton is by train from Nice. That’s exactly what I did, and it only takes around 40 minutes while following the beautiful French Riviera coastline.

If you’re planning to visit several towns along the French Riviera, you can also rent a car. It gives you much more flexibility to stop in places like Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer or Antibes without depending on train schedules.

Check train tickets here | Check rental car prices here

SIM Card or eSIM

Having internet makes traveling around the French Riviera much easier, especially for maps, train schedules and restaurant recommendations. I personally always use an eSIM because I can activate it before landing and have internet straight away.

Get my recommended eSIM for France here

Travel Insurance

France is a very safe destination, but delayed luggage, cancelled transport or unexpected medical emergencies can happen anywhere. I never travel without insurance, and it’s one expense I never skip.

Check my recommended travel insurance here

Where to stay in Menton

If you’re only visiting Menton for the day, I honestly wouldn’t book accommodation here. Staying in Nice usually gives you many more hotel options, better prices and makes it much easier to explore the rest of the French Riviera while still being only around 40 minutes away by train.

If you do want to spend the night in Menton, I’d stay somewhere close to the Old Town or the seafront so you can easily explore everything on foot.

Check hotels in Menton here | Check hotels in Nice here

FAQs

Do I need a car for Menton?

No. I visited Menton by train from Nice and honestly think it’s the easiest way to get there if you’re only visiting for the day. The town itself is small enough to explore entirely on foot. I’d only rent a car if you’re planning to visit several towns along the French Riviera.

Is Menton expensive?

Yes, Menton is expensive, just like the rest of the French Riviera. Restaurants, cafés and hotels aren’t cheap, especially during summer. If you’re traveling on a budget, I’d recommend staying in Nice and visiting Menton as a day trip.

Can I visit Menton as a day trip from Nice?

Absolutely. That’s exactly what I did. The train journey from Nice takes around 40 minutes, making Menton one of the easiest and best day trips you can do on the French Riviera.

Is Menton the most beautiful village on the French Riviera?

That’s obviously subjective, but after spending ages trying to decide which French Riviera town to visit, I’m really happy I chose Menton. It was even prettier than I expected, and if I had to recommend just one village to first-time visitors, Menton would definitely be at the top of my list.

Final Thoughts

Is Menton worth visiting?

So, is Menton worth visiting?

For me, the answer is an easy yes.

If you’re looking for colorful streets, beautiful beaches, amazing views and a slower pace than places like Nice or Monaco, I think you’ll love Menton. It was everything I expected from a French Riviera village and somehow even prettier than I imagined.

If you’re planning your own trip, don’t forget to check my other Menton guides for more detailed itineraries, practical tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your visit.

Read my other Menton Guides

Is Menton, France Safe? My Honest Experience as a Solo Female Traveler (2026)

Best Time to Visit Menton: A Month-by-Month Guide (2026)

Nice to Menton: Best Ways to get there (train, bus, car & day trip guide) (2026)

How many days in Menton do you need? My honest recommendation (2026)