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The annual Lemon Festival in Menton is one of France’s most vibrant celebrations. Thousands of onlookers worldwide have been enthralled by the busy town and Monaco’s neighbour for many decades. They travel to Menton solely to witness the majesty and grandeur of a one-of-a-kind citrus show, complete with massive lemon and orange sculptures for the audience to admire. The Menton Lemon Festival is a great place to go if you want to have some fun with fruits.
What is the Menton Lemon Festival?
The Menton Lemon Festival, held every year in the middle of February, is a one-of-a-kind event attracting approximately 230,000 tourists each year. The event commemorates Menton’s annual premium lemons and other citrus fruits production. The lemon festival is commemorated with the construction of lemon and orange sculptures and floats decorated with lemons that are paraded through the streets with folk groups and baton-swinging majorettes. It involves over 300 people and necessitates the use of 145 tonnes of citrus fruits.
This Festival originated in 1928 as a method to amuse aristocratic visitors and has since grown into a massive event. The Lemon Festival was formally classified as a carnival honouring citrus fruits in 1934. About 400 workers plan, design, and construct ten 30-foot-tall fruit sculptures using 140 tonnes of lemons and oranges every year. The end result is bizarre and unique. The fruits tinge in the air with the rich scent of citrus and the visual show of vibrant orange and yellow sculptures. Local hoteliers also came up with the brilliant idea of holding a citrus and flower display in the Hotel Menton Riviera gardens.
How is the Menton Lemon Festival celebrated?
Float parades are intermingled with marching bands and costumed entertainers during the Menton Lemon Festival, exactly like any other carnival procession. There is, however, one significant difference: all of the floats are constructed of lemons and oranges. It’s a refreshing and natural transition. However, the display of massive citrus fruit sculptures at the Biovès Gardens is the real show-stopper. Some of these figures can reach a height of 10 metres and consume up to 15 tonnes of fruit.
These structures begin as metal forms, which are then totally coated in lemons and oranges that are secured in place with colour-coordinated yellow and orange rubber bands. They’re truly amazing, and you’ll see at least ten of them. They make a strong first impression. These structures are related to the festival’s theme, which changes each year.
Floral processions with a mix of confetti, citrus-themed floats, dancers, and folk groups are also held on the Promenade du Soleil. Citrus Limonia is honoured with gigantic floats, brass bands, entertainers, and other divine creatures. The evening processions are followed by fireworks that illuminate the harbour and the Mediterranean waters.
The Biovès Gardens are covered in citrus fruits throughout the festival, and temporary sculptures are created in vibrant orange and yellow hues. Some can reach heights of up to ten metres. The monuments created using oranges and lemons glisten in their brilliant colours at night, and some more festivities are occasionally held at night.
Menton Lemon Festival Attractions
Menton offers a variety of activities, both during the day and at night. Each of the city’s attractions has a distinct aspect. In addition, the city provides different forms of entertainment to round out your experience with the orange and lemon-themed constructions.
Marching bands and live music contribute to the festive atmosphere, and if you’re lucky, you could even see John Lemon, the carnival’s official mascot. The sculptures are illuminated at night, and a variety of firework and light displays ensure that Menton is filled with magic. There are several guided tours available that offer you the opportunity to see the Palais Carnolès’ gardens, which house Europe’s greatest collection of citrus fruits, from grapefruit trees to kumquats. Some events are free; however, parade tickets must be purchased in advance.
The buildings are complemented by themed performances in the evenings, which may include jugglers or dancers. Musical shows are often put on to liven up the whole show. The shows may include giant Chinese dancing dragons or a sword show, regardless of the subject of the composition of oranges and lemons.
Conclusion
Menton’s Fête du Citron, also known as the Lemon Celebration, is an annual festival that honours simple lemon and orange fruits. Having been celebrated for more than 87 years, the Fête du Citron is an event that has a long and distinguished history in the French community.
This annual international event began as a fruit fair in 1933 and now attracts more than 160,000 guests. The fruits d’Or (golden fruits) are the lemons and oranges grown in Menton (golden fruits). Every year, during the Fête du Citron, which takes place from the 16th of February to the 3rd of March, these exceptional fruits d’Or are commemorated.
