If you’re looking for a day trip from Nice that is under one hour by train and transports you to a picture postcard perfect seaside town with a cool and laid-back Mediterranean vibe, then let me introduce you to Menton.

Named “The Pearl of France”, Menton sits on the border with Italy. It’s pastel-hued, citrus-scented, and so photogenic. We only spent a few hours here, but Menton left a big impression. Here’s what we got up to, what we loved, and why you should absolutely add it to your South of France itinerary.

🎒 What to Pack for a Day Trip to Menton

1. Dock & Bay Travel Towel – This is one of our go-to items for beach days. The Dock & Bay towels are super lightweight, fold down small, and best of all, they’re sand-resistant.
2. Reef-Safe Sun Lotion – If you’re planning a dip in the sea (or just soaking up the sun), we always recommend using a reef-safe sunscreen that’s kind to both your skin and the planet. We love the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid.
3. Chilly’s Insulated Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is a must in the Mediterranean heat, and the Chilly’s Series 2 Water Bottle keeps your water cold for hours. Sleek, durable, and leak-proof, perfect for your Menton day trip.

🚆 Getting to Menton from Nice

We took the train from Nice Ville to Menton, and the journey takes just 40 minutes. Tickets were £13.75 return, which we booked through Trainline. The queues at this station to purchase tickets are crazy, so save yourself the hassle and just book online.

💡Top Tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the train when leaving Nice for beautiful sea views along the way.

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☀️ Finding a Seat in the Sun

We arrived around midday, which was glorious timing weather-wise… less glorious timing if you’re only stopping for a drink. In Menton, many beachfront restaurants won’t let you sit unless you’re dining, so it’s always worth asking before grabbing a table.

Luckily, we found a spot at Le Grand Large, a cool and relaxed beachside restaurant with incredible views over the bay. We didn’t eat here (though the menu looked great with a mix of pasta, burgers, and fresh seafood), but we did enjoy a couple of Aperol’s in the sunshine, with some complimentary olives.

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🚂 The Petit Train de Menton

After our drinks, we walked along the seafront and hopped on Le Petit Train, a little tourist train that winds its way through the old town, the marina, and up to the best viewpoints over Menton.

• Duration: Approx. 45 minutes
• Cost: €10 per adult
• Languages: Audio available in French, English, Italian, and Russian
• Tickets: Buy on arrival or at the Menton Tourism website
• Departure Point: Esplanade Francis-Palmero, opposite the Jean Cocteau Museum

This was such a fun way to learn about the town’s history while soaking up the views – you best believe I took about 400 photos! I highly recommend it if you’ve only got limited time and want to learn more about the history of Menton whilst taking in some impressive views.

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Recommended Lunch Spot

We wandered back down towards the seafront and spotted Le Cyrnos, a charming bistro with a chalkboard of daily specials. I chose the Fritto Misto, which was hands down the best I’ve had in a long time, with thin ribbons of crunchy veg, fresh calamari and huge prawns. My friend enjoyed the seafood salad, of salmon, mussels, calamari and prawns, which she raved about, and of course… we had to get another Aperol.

Prices were really reasonable considering the portions and location, and the staff were a solid 10/10 for speed and friendliness.

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What We Missed

We didn’t have time to visit the Citrus Garden at Palais de Carnolès, but it sounds dreamy.

Set in the former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco, this one-hectare garden is home to 137 varieties of citrus trees, lemons, sweet oranges, kumquats, grapefruits, and more. It’s actually recognised as a National Collection in France, and just imagine the smell of all those gorgeous fruits!

We’ve bookmarked this for our next trip, and I’d recommend going, especially if you visit in early spring, when citrus season is in full swing.

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Other Tips for Menton

• Sundays can be very quiet, with many shops and boutiques closed—something to keep in mind if you’re keen to do a bit of shopping.
• Menton is very walkable, but wear comfy shoes—some of the streets in the old town are cobbled and steep.
• If you’re planning ahead, Menton is home to Mirazur, a 3-Michelin-star restaurant once ranked the best in the world. It’s not cheap—around €450 per person—but it’s on our bucket list for sure!

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💛 Final Thoughts

Even though our time in Menton was short, it was such a relaxing and beautiful day trip. It’s easy to get to, has loads to explore, and if we weren’t flying home that evening, we’d have happily booked a night at one of the local hotels.

I’ve already bookmarked Hôtel Gabriel, which is a super cute boutique hotel in the heart of Menton and just 250 metres from the beach. I mean, just look at how beautiful it looks from these images alone. 😍

Images credited to Hôtel Gabriel [Booking.com]

So if you’re based in Nice or Monaco and are looking for a beautiful and relaxed day out, Menton is calling.

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Sending sunshine from Menton,