Hands up who likes February? (Northern hemisphere only). I don’t see many hands! Traditionally February is seen as a dreary month, isn’t it? The end of year festivities are well and truly over, January resolutions are already beginning to drop by the wayside and the novelty of snuggling up and bunkering down for winter has worn thin. Spring still seems a long way off and the weather is terrible. If this sounds familiar then what you need is a great big dose of Mediterranean colour. And February on the Côte d’Azur has it in abundance. This month is all about, not one, not two but three of the most colourful festivals you can imagine: Nice Carnival, the Menton Lemon Festival and the Mandelieu Mimosa Festival.
The Origins of Menton Lemon Festival
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 has the most hours of sunshine per annum in France creating such a perfect climate for growing citrus fruit that at the beginning of the twentieth century it was the principal producer of lemons in Europe. So, what do you do if you’re a hotelier in the 1920s with a glut of lemons? You put on a lemon exhibition. This exhibition was so successful that the town council took on the idea and by 1934 the “Fête du Citron” was born. This carnivalesque celebration of oranges and lemons, lasting two weeks coinciding with, and complementing, its bigger neighbour, the Carnaval de Nice, has been running every year since.
What Happens at the Menton Lemon Festival?
The Menton Fête du Citron consists of two separate sections – an exhibition in the central park, les jardins Biovès, of detailed, intricate structures made out of oranges and lemons along the year’s theme, and a series of carnival parades around the town. These parades feature large floats decorated with oranges and lemons in the particular theme of the fête interspersed with musical bands, dancers, folk groups and street entertainers. Themes over the past few years have included “Regions of France”, “Around the world in 80 days”, “Cinema”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “World Music” “India”, “China” and “20,000 leagues under the sea”. The exhibition is open every day for the entirety of the festival while the parades take place a couple of times a week. Every year it runs for just over 2 weeks from mid February to early March. You can check here for dates and times, and to book online.
To create these unusual and highly original citrus structures approximately 1,000,000 rubber bands are used to hold 120 tonnes of fruit in place! The Fête du Citron is a fabulously bright and cheerful festival that against the backdrop of bright azure sea in one direction and the mountains in the other can’t fail to lift the spirits. It’s just a little bit oddball, particularly in contrast to the conservative bourgeois reputation that Menton, a rich retirement town, has. Having said that Menton is, actually, a gorgeous place with a lovely old town, elegant boulevards, a delightful market hall, a pretty fort and a stunning new museum dedicated to Jean Cocteau among other sites. It’s well worth a visit, carnival or not.
And in case you’re wondering what happens to all that fruit at the end of the two weeks, around 90% of it is still in good enough condition to be eaten, so it’s sold off locally at bargain prices!
Want to know more about Carnival on the Côte d’Azur? Read this related post: Battling with flowers and the meaning of carnival
Have you ever been to an unusual carnival? Do you have a favourite one? I’d love to hear about other spring festivities around the world. Do tell!
You might enjoy reading about these other colourful, fragrant spring festivals on the Côte d’Azur: Orange Festival and Rose Festival.
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I love Menton! I love the lemon festival and parade! I would go every year if I were nearby. It’s such a charming festival, and who doesn’t love citrus? In Germany, they have a similar idea, but it’s art with pumpkins at the pumpkin festival. So fun!
Simply amazing! Can you smell the lemons? I’m definitely sharing this post with my boys!! We’ve been to a few festivals, but nothing like this ever! #farawayfiles
It’s very cheery, can’t help but smile really.
You must come and stay next Feb half term Clare!
Exactly Cathy, yellow is sunshine!
I’m not sure lemon festivals (plural) are a thing, but this one is pretty special!
The fête des lumières is the world’s 3rd biggest festival so if you can handle those crowds I reckon you’ll be fine in Menton!
Well of course Erin!
Yes I imagine Ireland is a little grey right now. I like January because in France we keep on celebrating with galette des rois – king cake – throughout the month!
Yes, it would be a terrible shame if they were just dumped.
It’s amazingly unheard-of out of this immediate area Lyn.
That looks like such a fun event and so colourful. I’ve never heard of the Fete du citron before (and I love the creativity) its amazing its been held since 1934
Lovely and colourful festival! I was thinking about what happened to all the fruits at the end of the festival and nice to read that they are sold off locally at bargain prices. #FarawayFiles
Hi Phoebe. I actually prefer February to January… I loved Menton when I went, it’s a great mellow city. I’ve never heard of the Lemon Festival though. I adore the colours of the French Riviera, it’s so gorgeous and the direct opposite of grey Ireland at this time of year #FarawayFiles
OH! This is so fun! What a gorgeous and sunny way to celebrate the season. My personal favorite was the citrus Viking ship of course! Cheers from Oregon this time, Erin #FarawayFiles
I’ve always wanted to go to Menton! I love seeing photos of this festival. I had no idea it ran for so long, I thought it was just for a weekend. I should have paid closer attention to the dates last year! Usually I don’t like to go to carnivals because the crowds stress me out, but this one does look like fun. (Then again I love the Fête des Lumières in Lyon, and it gets so crowded you have to wait in line above ground to take the metro!)
Wow! I didn’t know lemon festivals were a thing! So cool to see all the ‘sculptures’ they can decorate with lemons and oranges!
I love the colours of the festival- definitely the way to cheer up February, the yellows of lemons always make me think of summer straight away. #farawayfiles
Oh this sounds absolutely wonderful! Such colour and quirky fun. And you’re absolutely right about February in the UK – it’s utterly dreary and it would be such a treat to come further south for this riot of colour and smells. I WILL do this one day! Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Book yourself a little trip over here this year, we’ve get dates available Lolo!!!
It’s great fun Bumblebee Mum, I hope you get to it one day
What a shame Trish, it’s a pretty big event but nothing like as well known as carnival. You’ll just have to come back again soon!
The theme this year is Broadway, I’m looking forward to it, should be some good structures and floats.
This is incredible Phoebe. What is the theme this year? I would really like to have met the hotelier who dreamt this up. So much fun! Thanks for sharing with us on #FarawayFiles
We spent time in Nice for the carnival many years ago but I didn’t realise the Lemon Festival was on at the same time! I missed a trick, especially as we did venture out on the train along the coast on one of the days. It looks fabulous.
#farawayfiles
Amazing! I’ve never heard of a lemon festival before and certainly not a lemon art work. Made me smile”
Omg, this is crazy!! I’m SO adding this to my bucket list. It looks so quirky and fun! #FarawayFiles
Ahh! I discovered this on Pinterest a long time ago and have wanted to go so badly forever!! It’s so fascinating! In Ludwigsburg, Germany we have the largest Pumpkin Festival which is similar! #FarawayFiles
(https://caliglobetrotter.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/ludwigsburg-pumpkin-festival/)
Lemonade’s a great idea!
What can I say? That’s a lot of lemons! I thought you were going to say they made lemonade at the end of the festival rather than sold it off 🙂 Well there’s nowt so strange as folk…..
It’s such a colourful and fun antidote to the dull month of February.
It’s really fun to photograph Bob, you should come over one year, it’s not so far from Ljubljana.
I heard about this from friends who live in Menton! Never been to the fete, but would be great to check it out. Looks like a fun event to photograph.
What a fabulously unique carnival – I love the ideas and the colours are so vibrant! Thanks for linking to #TravelAtHome.
Sure is Samantha! 🙂
It is fun Frank and not so so far from Croatia….
Thanks for hosting Ashley! Look out fo rmore link ups now that I’ve found you!
You are so right about February being a dreary month! Never heard of the Fête du Citron.
But it certainly sounds like a lot of fun. Amazing floats and structures decorated with oranges and lemons! It’s going onto my bucket list :). Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler.
This is awesome–i love random things like this! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler 🙂
Fab, I’m glad you found this post then!
Oh my, I can’t stop looking at these pictures. Those creations are so amazing! My husband happens to love lemons, so we’ll definitely put this on our bucket list.
pleasure Katie!
Thanks for hosting the linkup SJ 🙂
That’s great Molly, enjoy carnival and come back next year for the lemons!
Wow- this is both totally ridiculous and amazing! Had never even heard of the festival before, so thanks.
Ohhhhhh what a blast! I so am adding this to my ever growing bucket list. So great you found the link & thanks for linking up with us to #SundayTraveler
I’m going to Nice for the end of the carnival this year, but sadly will miss the lemon festival – one for next year! I love the region so much – this will be my third visit and I’m still discovering new things to do :). Can’t wait to go!
Rachel you’re the 3rd person who’s said that, I’d love to see this Rose Parade 🙂
Yes you must make it one day Cheryl, it’s really beautiful.
That looks amazing! Reminds me of the New Years Rose Parade.
Looks fantastic! I really must visit it one year. Until a couple of years ago I only knew about the Nice Carnival.
Sounds like I should put the Rose Parade on my list of events to see! I’m so glad you’re inspired to visit this area, I hope you make it one day.
The Fete du Citron looks amazing! Like another commenter, it immediately reminded me of the Rose Parade in the U.S… where all the floats are decorated in flower petals, seeds, and leaves. I’d never heard of the Fete du Citron before, and now I’ve got another place on my list to visit! It looks like a perfectly sunny remedy to February!
Thanks always for commenting Lisa!
Another great post! I feel as if I’m there! Thanks as always for the great pictures.
Thanks for popping by Tisha, I’ll be sure to check yours out too.
It sounds like you have similar weather to us Jackcyn. The rose parade sounds fun.
Because there are too many great things here for you to be here for them all Catherine, but delighted you’ll come back for Feb 2015! 🙂
You’ve summed it up perfectly Chrissie – Feb in the northern hemisphere = yuck, Feb in the southern hemisphere on the other hand = lovely. Hope you’re enjoying your trip back “home”. “Profites” as they say here, it’s still raining!
Wow! I’ve never heard of this. Very cool!
Thanks for sharing your blog. I’m still working through all the blogs from GYB. A little over 1/3 of the way through. Please feel free to visit my embroidery blog. (I’m in the 1st set on the list.)
aprilsongstress
It is usually raining and dreary here in Northern California during the month of February, so a fun citrus festival would be a welcome distraction. On New Years Day Pasadena holds its annual Rose Parade – horses, marching bands and lots of creative floats covered entirely of flowers and plant materials. It’s a lot of fun to watch on TV although I’ve never attended in person.
Why are we not staying at Lou messugo during the lemon festival? We will next year for sure.
February was always one of the best months growing up – my birthday and mid-summer in Sydney. Then you come to the northern hemisphere and it’s definitely thought of as one of the worst months of the year and not the greatest month to organise a party in!! That’s why Nice Carnaval and the Menton Festival are so welcome, they brighten up the month! (or perhaps that’s why I usually come back home in February :p!)
Hi Mascha, I don’t know this garden, I must look into it. Don’t give up on your dreams! You may get here one day. 🙂
Oh what funny!
This reminds me back to my big dream to go in life to Menton and see the garden “Fontana Rosa” of the writer Vicente Blasco Ibanez (but I’ll never be able to realize)
Thanks for sharing