Menton
Menton | |
|---|---|
Location of  | |
| Country | France |
| Arrondissement | Nice |
| Canton | Chief town of 2 cantons |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 06083 / |
Menton (IPA: [mɑ̃tɔ̃]; Occitan: Menton in classical norm or Mentan in Mistralian norm; Italian: Mentone) is a town and commune in the Alpes-Maritimes département of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région of France. It has been called the most beautiful town on the French Riviera, and its nickname is La perle de la France ("The pearl of France").
History
Menton was founded by the Count of Ventimiglia as château de Puypin (ca. 1000) and inhabited by Ligurian people. It was owned by the Grimaldi family from 1346 until 1848, before breaking away from the principality of Monaco and, after civil unrest, was sold to France for 4 million francs in 1861. This sovereignty was officially recognised by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. During the 19th century, Menton became popular for its warm climate, and many famous people chose to vacation in the town.
During World War II, Menton was annexed by Italy following the Fall of France in 1940. Menton enjoyed a steady flow of goods and services during this period as an example of the benefits of Italian government, but French residents were forced to assimilate into Italian culture. In 1943, German forces took control of the city. Menton was liberated by the Allies on September 8, 1944.
Menton was devastated by the conflict and it was not until the 1960s that its reconstruction was concluded. Since then, it has regained its appeal as a tourist destination.
Geography
Menton is located on the Franco-Italian border, within the confines of the Côte d'Azur and the Ligurian Alps. It boasts a warm micro-climate favorable to lemon, tangerine, and orange groves.
The fishing industry was devastated in the 1980s and 1990s when the "killer Algae" Caulerpa taxifolia (a non-native Asian tropical green algae first discovered in the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 1984) that was introduced to the local environment spread throughout the coastal sea floor decimating the local fish life.
Sights
Perhaps the most famous aspect of Menton is its world-renowned gardens, including the Serre de la Madone, the Le Val Rahmeh, the Fontana Rosa, and the Maria Serena garden. Le Val Rahmeh, named for his wife, was established in 1905 by Englishman Sir Percy Radcliffe, the first owner of the gardens. Villa Fontana Rosa was built in 1922 by Blasco Ibáñez, a Spanish novelist, and the gardens of the villa are now open to the public.
The baroque basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange, with its bell-tower is one of the most beautiful spots of the area.
Events
Every year in February, the Lemon Festival takes place in the town. There are huge temporary statues built and covered with citrus fruit (lemons and oranges), and every year the festival follows a given theme. Past themes include Viva España, Disney, Neverland, and India. The festival lasts for a few days, with different bands passing through Menton's streets on foot or truck trailers. The casino gardens in the centre of town are decorated in the theme of the festival, using the celebrated fruit to cover the exhibits. The Casino Gardens are also the location for Menton's Christmas Festival.
The Menton Classical Musical Festival is also held every year in the heart of the atmospheric old town.
Miscellaneous
Menton is twinned with:
See also
External links
