Menton’s annual Fête du Citron® 2026 has delivered a record-breaking edition, according to organisers, and after we spent the final day immersed in it – along with 30,000 other spectators – it’s easy to see why.
Although officially called the “Lemon Festival”, there were just as many oranges glowing in the Riviera sunshine.
Every year, for over two weeks, the seafront town of Menton transforms into a living artwork, celebrating its citrus heritage with giant sculptures crafted entirely from fruit. This year’s theme – Wonders of Life – brought biodiversity centre stage with towering giraffes, exotic birds, a powerful tiger whose head turned to the delight of children, and the most mesmerising of all — a monumental Mother Earth figure, with her arm resting on her pregnant stomach where Planet Earth appeared to be growing within her.
With the mountains rising behind her and the Mediterranean light catching every citrus detail, the effect was quietly breathtaking.
The festival has an ethereal atmosphere. Joyous yet gentle. Visitors wait politely for one another to take photographs. There’s a shared sense of wonder. Mimosa branches add another layer of golden brightness. Orange and lemon trees blend seamlessly into the installations, as if nature itself had joined the design team.
In the Jardins Biovès, raised viewing platforms allowed visitors to climb above the crowds for sweeping views and to better photograph the fruity artwork. Limoncello flowed, queues gathered at farm stalls and families lingered. It’s a distinctly Riviera experience. The French locals – from the artists to technicians, security forces and volunteers – take their festivals seriously and go that extra mile to bring the magic to town.
2026 Record-Breaking Figures at Fête du Citron, Menton
The 92nd edition of the Menton’s lemon festival delivered unprecedented results:
- 120,000 spectators across the five parades
- Three sold-out Sundays
- 15% increase in attendance at evening events
- 19% increase in visitors to the Winter Garden and Orchid exhibition at the Palais de l’Europe (over 54,000 visitors)
- 12% increase in tours and excursions, representing more than 4,000 activities sold
Organisers said: “What an edition! Thousands of visitors brought Menton to life for several weeks.”
Standing beneath the towering Mother Earth sculpture, confetti in the air, with music drifting across the gardens, Fête du Citron® is way more than just a list of statistics. Thanks to the hospitality and creativity of the people of Menton, this is a festival like no other.
A Festival Born from Winter Escapes
The story of Menton’s most famous citrus celebration stretches back more than a century to a time when wealthy visitors, including royalty, escaped to the South of France to avoid the colder northern climates.
It started in 1895 with a parade, similar to the Nice Carnival, that was intended as winter entertainment for these visitors. By the following year, it was as popular with the locals as the visitors. (Queen Victoria had enjoyed an earlier festival in 1882, while holidaying at a beautiful villa in Menton.)
Lemons made their entrance in 1928 when Menton was Europe’s leading lemon producer. Hotel Riviera hosted an exhibition of flowers and citrus fruit in its gardens, and the following year, carts decorated with oranges and lemons joined the parade.
In 1934 it was named Fête du Citron® and the first citrus and flower exhibition was held in Jardins Biovès.
Today, the parade has grown into a unique 15-day event in February to celebrate the end of winter, with thousands flocking from around the world to marvel at the citrus sculptures, and watch the day and night parades. And while Menton is no longer the largest producer of lemons (and a large portion of the citrus fruit you see in the displays is imported from Spain), the Riviera seaside resort is still famous for the excellent quality of its oranges and lemons.
After the installations are dismantled, all fruit is sold for discount prices.
See you at Menton’s famous lemon festival next year. 🍋
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