Giant citrus animals and exploding colours: inside Menton’s Lemon Festival
The 92nd edition is themed ‘Wonders of Life’ © Benjamin Godart - Monaco Tribune
Between entwined giraffes and an articulated tiger, the 92nd edition of the Lemon Festival transforms the gardens of Menton into a monumental bestiary made entirely of citrus fruits. Monaco Tribune took its camera along for the ride.
Every winter, when the light becomes softer on the French Riviera, Menton enters another time. In the streets lined with pastel-coloured façades, a familiar scent takes over: that of lemons. The Monaco Tribune editorial team took advantage of a ray of sunshine to jump on a train at Monaco station, heading for the alleys of the Biovès Gardens, decorated for the famous Lemon Festival.
The first sight sets the tone: two giraffes entwined, neck to neck, draped with thousands of lemons and oranges. A tender nod to this day of love, and a spectacular introduction to this 92nd edition, themed ‘Wonders of Life’.
All around us, visitors stop, look up and take out their phones. The same questions are asked over and over again in the aisles, tinged with disbelief: ‘How many lemons are in there?’ asks a little boy dressed as Darth Vader – it’s Shrove Tuesday, after all – to his grandmother. ‘How did they manage to put so many elements on such enormous structures?’ asks another visitor to her partner.
Seven colossal citrus fruits in the open air
The answer lies in a few dizzying figures: seven monumental structures, each covered with 10 to 15 tonnes of citrus fruits, placed one by one by hand. Further on, an articulated tiger seems ready to pounce, while a huge whale stands out against an azure blue sky. A flamboyantly coloured parrot watches over from its perch. All the motifs are animals, with one exception: Gaia, the nurturing mother figure from Greek mythology, who carries the world and all its wonders of life on her shoulders. The only human representation in the exhibition, and undoubtedly the most symbolic.
More than 100 little hands behind the scenes
Behind these ephemeral sculptures, more than a hundred people worked behind the scenes for weeks, fruit by fruit, elastic band by elastic band. This expertise has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, which added the Lemon Festival to France’s inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2019. ‘Every morning throughout the festival, people come to replace damaged citrus fruits so that the designs retain their brilliance,’ says a Menton resident and regular festival-goer, a glass of lemonade in hand. Under the winter sun, the colours explode: bright yellow, deep orange, green foliage. The decor is lively, fragile, destined to disappear.
The entire tour is free and open to the public, in an unfenced area open to all from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. A tradition that began in 1936, when the gardens were first decked out in the colours of the sun.
Along the alleys and in the adjacent streets, craft markets showcase local products: jams, liqueurs, perfumes, and objects inspired by the emblematic citrus fruit. Exhibitions, guided tours and entertainment complete the programme, offering a more intimate insight into the town and its heritage. Here, the lemon becomes a pretext for telling the story of Menton: its agricultural history, its relationship with the Mediterranean, its unique identity on the border with Italy.
10 Monegasque words to celebrate the Menton Lemon Festival
Events not to be missed
The exhibition runs until 1 March, but the highlights take place on the Promenade du Soleil. The Corsos des fruits d’or, parades of citrus fruit floats accompanied by brass bands and dancers, will take place on Sundays 22 February and 1 March from 2.30 pm. On Thursdays 19 and 26 February, the night-time Corsos will transform the seafront into an illuminated spectacle, with fireworks at 10.30pm.
The Orchid Show, craft market, hikes and cooking workshops complete the daily programme.
Practical information: Parades are subject to a charge: from €16 (promenade) to €30 (grandstand), free for children under 6. Tickets available at fete-du-citron.com. We recommend travelling by train (the station is 200 metres from the gardens) and arriving before 11 a.m. on Sundays.