Menton day trip from Nice
A day trip to Menton from Nice: a morning swim or stroll at the Plage des Sablettes, the Bastion Museum and the covered Marché des Halles, lunch along Rue Saint-Michel, the Jean Cocteau Museum, the Basilica of Saint-Michel at the top of the old town, and the Promenade du Soleil in the late afternoon. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Menton in 1 day
Day 1
Plage des Sablettes
Sheltered beach right below the old town, with fine sand and pebbles, calm water and views up to the pastel houses.
Bastion Museum (Jean Cocteau)
Small seventeenth-century harbour fort that Jean Cocteau restored and decorated himself, with his pebble mosaics and drawings inside.
Marché des Halles
Covered Belle Époque market hall near the old port, with stalls of local lemons, cheese, olives and socca for a morning snack.
Rue Saint-Michel
Pedestrian shopping street between the old town and the centre, lined with cafes, restaurants and shops selling lemon products.
Jean Cocteau Museum (Séverin Wunderman Collection)
Modern white museum on the seafront holding a large collection of Cocteau's drawings, paintings, ceramics and photographs, with works by his circle.
Basilica of Saint-Michel and the old town
Baroque basilica at the top of the old town's stepped lanes, with a pebble-mosaic forecourt and views over the bay of Menton.
Promenade du Soleil
Palm-lined seafront promenade along Menton's main beach, best in the late afternoon for a walk, an ice cream or an aperitif.
Watch: Menton
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Nice, regional TER trains run along the coast to Menton in about 35 minutes, passing Villefranche, Monaco and Èze; get off at Menton for the centre and the Promenade du Soleil, or Menton-Garavan for the old port side. Buses along the coast road also link Nice and Menton, more slowly.
Staying in Nice? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Menton
Menton has one of the mildest climates in France, so spring and autumn are pleasant for walking and the beaches are good from June to September. July and August are hot and crowded along the whole Riviera. The Fête du Citron, with giant citrus sculptures and parades, takes place in February.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Menton on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Menton on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Menton on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for France from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Menton
- Take the coast train from Nice: it is quicker than driving, and parking in Menton is hard in summer.
- The Marché des Halles is a morning market and is closed on Mondays; go before lunch for socca, local citrus and picnic food.
- Menton's museums usually close on Tuesdays; check opening days before planning the Cocteau stops.
- The old town climbs steep stepped lanes up to the basilica; wear comfortable shoes and go up for the view over the bay and the Italian coast.
- Pack a swimsuit: the Plage des Sablettes below the old town is a sand-and-pebble beach with calm water, and the Italian border is a short ride away.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Basilica of Saint-Michel and the old town: Rundvald, Public domain
- Bastion Museum (Jean Cocteau): Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
- Jean Cocteau Museum (Séverin Wunderman Collection): Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
- Promenade du Soleil: Espirat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
