Yacht Charter Menton Garavan

General Info
The beautiful town of Menton is located on the French Riviera, close to the Italian border which would explain the relatively persistent Italian influence and it’s also a holiday resort with a long history being used for many years by people suffering from respiratory diseases thanks to its mild climate. Today, it’s a center for Yacht Charter enthusiasts looking to escape the endless crowds of the Riviera.

The distance from famous playground of the rich and famous, Monaco, is just 13km which means that it’s pretty close to the action of the Riviera but it’s far less crowded, a feature sought by many  skippers valuing their privacy.

Travel & Arrival
Because of its proximity to the town of Monaco, the city is serviced by the main air transport hub of the French Riviera, the Nice International Airport. This opens up this part of the coast to most of the Yacht Charter devotees wanting to sample the French charm without paying the exorbitant prices of the luxury resorts.

By land, Menton is easily reachable via the A8 highway. The exit is clearly marked with the name of the town “Menton”, after which, the Yacht Charter driver simply follows the sign to the “centre ville”. There is also the option of arriving by train from Nice (a good idea for an airport transfer). One word of warning though, Menton is largely pedestrianized and the rest of the roads are one way which can make traffic and parking difficult, so you’re advised to leave your car outside of town.

Though Menton has its own port Menton Garavan, there are no direct ferry links here. As with air travel, the Yacht Charter group will have to travel to Nice first and then seek a form of transfer (by rail or road). The port is rather small and during the summer months, calling ahead and checking the occupancy is vital to the success of your holiday.

Avant & Apres Sail
This former sleepy fishing village has evolved into a beautiful town full of old buildings which have been tastefully restored. There’s the old part of town, le Vieux Menton, which is a pedestrian zone, the long Rue St Michel, the Jean Cocteau Museum, the Salles de Marriages (in the town hall) also decorated by Jean Cocteau, the casino and the hotels Royal Westminster and Ambassadeurs, the cemetery (full of notable people who came here seeking a cure for their ilnesses) and the beautiful gardens which can be found all around the city, much to the delight of Yacht Charter visitors.

The area is noted for its citrus production and lemons in particular are a local specialty which is why you can purchase a lot of citrus products in Menton, as well as Yacht Charter souvenirs picked up from the shops along the pedestrian zone.

Good restaurants can be found in the old town and even along the waterfront. French cuisine meets Italian here and there’s no shortage of Yacht Charter gourmands to enjoy the fine tastes of the herbs, spices and carefully seasoned seafood.

The nightlife is certainly inferior to other popular places along the Riviera but that’s not really a bad thing since Monaco is just minutes away for those seeking a loud alternative to the friendly bas in Menton. There’s a particularly frequented bar, the “Mare Nostrum” which is also a real working brewery that serves patrons in Castillon, near Menton, definitely worth a visit.

Events & Actions
As mentioned, the lemon is a big thing around here, earning the city the name of “Lemon Festival Capital of the World”. This annual event takes place each February, normally out of the Yacht Charter season but it’s definitely worth a look. The interesting thing is that the festival never follows the same pattern, it takes on a different theme every year, making sure you’ll always get a new experience. There’s also a classical Music Festival held yearly in the center of the old town, as well as a lovely Christmas procession taking place in the Casino Gardens.