The festival has become one of the most important events in the French Riviera and attracts almost a quarter of a million people a year who come to Menton to marvel at the sound and light shows and at the unique structures that are made from lemons and oranges – around 145 tonnes of them! The celebration did not take place during the war years between 1940 and 1946, nor in 1991, due to the war in Iraq. June 18: Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. In 1934, the Fête du Citron or Lemon Festival was officially born. This celebration has brought over 200,000 visitors each February. It isn’t anymore today but with its annual Lemon Festival, it commemorates its past glory in lemon producing history. The Lemon Festival combines traditional carnival events with a celebration of Menton's reputation as Europe's lemon capital. Question 1 Years ago I went to NICE. A hotelier had the idea of organizing a private exhibition of flowers and citrus fruits in the gardens of the Riviera Hotel. In the 1950s, frosts destroyed the few groves that had survived the region’s development and rural exodus. Each year, for almost three weeks, the city and its gardens host giant sculptures, elaborate patterns and meticulously detailed citrus ornaments to honor the precious golden fruit. This festival is also called Carnival Menton . Do you need a ticket now? The Fête du Citron is the second largest public winter event on the French Riviera after the Nice Carnival. The town is known as being the only place in France where lemons grow. Kings, princes, and artists flocked to palaces in the city or had villas built there. This proved to be a great success and the following year the exhibition was extended, with displays of oranges and lemons in carts placed around the town. A local business man, owner of the Hotel Riviera decided to commemorate that fact by launching a festival celebrating the blossoming of the citrus trees. Share. Around 200,000 visitors descend on Menton for a two-week programme of colourful displays and noisy processions, using around 145 tonnes of citrus fruits in a range of events. Nice’s Carnival attracted more than a million visitors in 2009 whereas Menton’s Lemon Festival drew about 230,000. The 2021 Lemon Festival dates are it will begin on Sunday, 14th February and end on Sunday, 28th February 2021. In 1875, hoteliers proposed to the municipality to create a carnival parade to enliven the city in winter. If you want to go, try to book accommodation in advance, this is an immensely popular carnival and hotels get fully booked in the town. Everything You want to know about france and more…, The Good Life France is the leading independent website about all things French from travel to culture, gastronomy to property and practical guides & more…, Copyright © 2021 The Good Life France | Built by WebsitesThatWork.com, By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies, Happy May Day and bon weekend from France, Roquefort butter and walnuts French canape recipe, What to see and do in Vaison-la-Romaine, Provence. Every February, the little town of Menton on the French Riviera runs one of France’s most popular events: the Lemon Festival (Fête du citronⓇ). It’s a colourful, vibrant and fun event, involving over 140 tonnes of citrus fruit. Visit the Citrus Patterns Exhibition The Citrus Patterns Exhibition is hosted in the Bioves gardens! The Fete has been running since 1935. More than 200,000 visitors come to marvel at the colorful floats and sculptures created from lemons and oranges. This lovely tour is based around two delightful annual events: the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival. Floral processions are organised on the Promenade du Soleil, with a mixture of citrus-themed floats, confetti, dancers and folk groups. Mar 5, 2018 - Did you enjoy the Bollywood theme of the 85th Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron®)?♀️♂️ #feteducitron #france #menton #bollywoodstyle #frenchriviera #cotedazur #fete #citron #lemon #citrus #fruit #festival #yellow #orange #photography #luxurytravel … The Menton Lemon Festival dates back to 1896 when the town wanted to create a carnival to liven up the city during the winter. The Fête du Citron is a carnival event organised by the tourist office of the city of Menton, France, and held every year at the end of winter. This lovely promenade covers 800 metres and every year plays host to the Lemon Festival when it turns into wonderland. The earliest record of the Nice Carnival is 1294, making it one of the world's oldest carnival celebrations. In 1928, Menton was the main producer of lemons on the European continent. Lemon Festival Every year the city of Menton (also known as “ Cité des Citrons” (City of Lemons), in the Alpes-Maritimes celebrates this local product. Annual carnival event held in Menton, France, inventory of intangible cultural heritage, "À la découverte de la fête du citron de Menton", "La 83e Fête du citron de Menton rend hommage à Cinecittà", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fête_du_Citron&oldid=989069041, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Menton invites carnivals of the world - guest of honour: India, Menton invites carnivals of the world - guest of honour: Brazil, This page was last edited on 16 November 2020, at 21:44. At the time, it was fashionable for the wealthy to come and spend the winter months in the mild climate of the French Riviera. The festival dates back to 1928 when Menton’s lemon export was at its peak. With different events and shows time flies in this magical city. For two weeks every February and March, Nice is full of open air music performances, parades, processions and carnival cheer. Some people like Cocteau’s work while others find it “weird”. During this time, you can see the massive sculptures on display in the center of Menton (you simply cannot miss them). The celebration features elaborate themed floats whose structures are covered in citrus fruit, primarily lemons and oranges, a large portion of which is imported from Spain every year. The feasts which surround the celebration mark the period before Lent. Today, Menton is not known for the quantity of lemons 4K it produces but rather their quality, as they are of a specialty kind sought after by chefs from across the region. It started off with a flower and lemon exhibition in the gardens of the Hôtel Riviera. The famous “Lemon Festival” runs from February 15-March 3 and has ongoing parades (day and nighttime), the Jardins de Lumières (Garden of Lights), an Orchid Festival, and many more events. The 1882 edition of the carnival was notably attended by Queen Victoriaof the United Kingdom and it culminated with a fireworks displa… It is possible for the tickets to sell out but I don't think there is any pattern. However, back then oranges and lemons were not part of the story. Given the popularity of Nice Carnival, the Menton City Hall was willing to convey a unique local flavour to their own festival so that it could attract a number of tourists. I had tickets to attend the Fête du Citron in Menton. We can totally understand why. Menton Lemon Festival La Fete du Citron in Menton is one of the world's unique events that attracts more than 240,000 visitors every year.&nbs What originally started as a small celebration of the city's citrus industry origins has grown into a town-wide affair including the Lemon Idol singing contest, delicious (and sometimes messy) food competitions, carnival rides, games and support of our local businesses. Lemon Festival, celebrated every year in the French city of Menton, is a fruity event. History of the Menton Lemon Festival The Menton Lemon Festival is the second most popular event in the French Riviera, after the Nice Carnival. Held over two weeks in February, the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) celebrates all things citrus in the city of Menton. If you go to the festival you’ll also have the opportunity to attend the International Orchid Festival and Pays Mentonnais crafts fair which are held every year at the same time at the Palais de l’Europe. Menton Lemon Festival History. This lovely tour is based around two delightful annual events: the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival. Mentos (stylised as mentos) are a brand of packaged scotch mints sold in stores and vending machines.First produced in 1932, they are currently sold in more than 130 countries worldwide by the Italian-Dutch corporation Perfetti Van Melle. It proved a popular idea and the blossom celebration grew each year and has become a major festival which includes incredible lemon and orange based structures which have become ever more complicated and eye-popping. The 1882 edition of the carnival was notably attended by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and it culminated with a fireworks display over Garavan Bay. It is also sometimes called Carnaval de Menton (Carnival of Menton). People come to Nice carnaval and the menton citron festival in special bus tours from north Italy and other parts of France and these folk always book tickets as far as i can tell. July 14: Bastille Day. I did NOT need a ticket to see the Parades. Today sees the start of the lemon festival which features displays covered in oranges and lemons. Spring comes early to the French Riviera; the sun shines a little stronger each day in the deep blue sky, ripening lemons, oranges, mimosa and many other flowers in time for carnival. Menton, France Lemon Festival 2021: The World of Lemons At Fête Du Citron. Although the festival was founded to showcase the Menton lemon, the town only produced enough of them for the first few decades of its existence, for sculptures like the Queen of the Golden Fruit in 1935 and the World Peace Globe in 1949. At the end of the festival all the fruit that can be salvaged is made into marmalade and limoncello. It began at 2:00 in the afternoon. The Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) takes place every February. In 1873, a Committee of Festivities was set up by Andriot Saetone, a citizen of Nice, and in 23 February, 1873 the first Carnival took place with floats and other structures used for the parade. [4] At the end of the event, the fruits are sold at low prices. As early as 1876, the event attracted locals and wealthy winter visitors alike. Shopping. Legend has it that the lemon tree first took root in Menton, when no less than Eve herself chose the beauty of the Bay of Garavan as a paradise in which to plant this golden fruit. Lemon Festival Late January through mid-February Since the 1930s the town of Menton, France, has celebrated its annual Lemon Festival for three weeks beginning in late January or February. June 23 (even-numbered years): Wine Festival in Bordeaux. For menton citron festival you need a ticket for everything. In 1848, Menton, along with its neighbour Roquebrune, seceded from Monaco, due at least in part to a tax imposed on lemon exports. Jasmine and a sea serpent at the Menton Lemon Festival 2019 Watch our video of the Menton Lemon Festival You can see the queues, the incredible designs and the sheer number of … This lemon-based celebration quickly replaced their carnival and the baskets of citrus fruit along the streets grew into the garden full of monumental citrus structures that we enjoy today. At the time, it was fashionable for the wealthy to come and spend the winter months in the mild climate of the French Riviera. How did the lemon parade start Menton? The crowds in Menton seemed mainly to be French, and the French, in my experience, don’t publicly dance or express themselves at such events like the English, Americans, Germans, Swiss, Dutch, etc. Created in Menton in 1934, the Lemon Festival is a unique event in the world which draws over 230,000 visitors every year. [1] It has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture of France and entered in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2019.[2]. is present in the festival… The theme for the 2020 festival will … The Menton annual Lemon Festival is held February to March. 8 Avenue Boyer, Menton, France photo by TripAways How did it start. The festival’s program, venue, lineup information show time / schedule of events, how to get, parking etc. France, Menton 15 Feb - 3 Mar 2022. It involves over 300 professionals and requires 145 tonnes of citrus fruits. The enterprising folks of Menton realised that they were on to something and the Menton Lemon Festival, La Fête du Citron, was officially born in 1933. The carnival lasts a few days, with different bands passing through Menton's streets on foot or on truck trailers. The earliest record of the Nice Carnival is 1294, making it one of the world's oldest carnival celebrations. Menton Lemon Festival. Menton festival is a great celebration for the locals and the guests as well, even though during the hour we spent there, we were one of the very few foreigners, but as I read the history, I realized that the festival was explicitly made for foreigners. Copy link. It has been held for more than 100 years. The Lemon Festival has been an important part of Upland tradition since 1997. Frans Menton was born in 1540. In February, the town of Menton hosts the colourful Lemon Festival, one of the largest and most colourful events on the south coast of France, and a wonderful tonic at the start of the gardening year. Each year, Menton celebrates the Lemon Festival with colourful parades – whose floats are creatively decorated with citrus fruits – and splendid fireworks. Or can you view the Parades FREE from the street? When was Frans Menton born? Elaborate floats and imaginative sculptures in dazzling shades of orange and yellow are paraded Menton Lemon Festival, the world's largest display of citrus fruits. The Menton Lemon Festival Parade. While you are in the South of France, why not try out the Fête du Citron Menton (Lemon Festival) 2019. Answer 11 of 13: Hi everyone: I'm off to Nice vacation. The Menton Lemon Festival is one of a kind. Designs range from huge champagne shaped bottles, the Eiffel Tower and life sized dinosaurs. Started in 1933 as a fruit show, the Lemon Festival Menton has grown to be so much more and is now an internationally renowned event, drawing around 200,000 visitors to a joyful fruity jamboree every year. Due to the numerous visitors during the festival days and the high demand for accommodations it is recommended to check hotel rates and book rooms well in advance. The event's success was such that the following year, the municipality took up the idea on its own. It is a festival where the Citrus Family truly shines and dazzles. Answer 11 of 13: Hi everyone: I'm off to Nice vacation. The amazing street parades with their acrobats, bands, dancing in the streets and masked revellers are a perfect antidote to brush away the winter cobwebs. This is at the heart of the annual Fête du Citron – or, for those who do not speak French, Lemon Festival. The mints are small oblate spheroids, with a slightly hard exterior and a soft, chewy interior.. Back in 1928, when Menton was the main European lemon producing area, a local hotelier had the idea of organising an exhibition of flowers and citrus fruits in the gardens of the Hotel Riviera. For menton citron festival you need a ticket for everything. Regular night shows make the citrus sculptures sparkle in the dark. Menton Lemon Festival What Happens to the Lemons and Oranges After the Lemon Festival in Menton? Floral processions are organised on the Promenade du Soleil, with a mixture of citrus-themed floats, confetti, dancers and folk groups. Question 1 Years ago I went to NICE. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Lemon head in Menton © Paul Downey – licence [CC BY 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons The Menton Tourist Board has organised the event towards the end of February since 1928. Summer in France is the time of festivals, carnivals and theatrical performances in ancient castles. This year's festival will take place from February 15 to March 3, 2020. When did Frans Menton die? But the Menton lemon has always been special. Legend has it that the lemon tree first took root in Menton , when no less than Eve herself chose the beauty of the Bay of Garavan as a paradise in which to plant this golden fruit. How did France think of the menton lemon festival? Originally part of Italy, Menton became the property of Charles Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco in 1346. 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