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I will detail these three major festivals in three separate blogs with the Lemon Festival first but here are the dates for your diary for all three for 2019:
Fête du
Citron, Menton – 16th February to 3rd March 2019
Carnival
de Nice – 16th February - 2nd March 2019
Fête du Mimosa, Mandelieu La
Napoule – 20th – 27th February 2019
Lemon Festival – Fête du Citron
In early spring each year, Menton showcases one of the most
colourful events on the French Riviera – the ‘Fête du Citron’ - Lemon Festival.
This vibrant and unique festival has been taking place since 1928 and attracts
over 230,000 visitors each year making it the 2nd largest annual
event on the French Rivera after the Carnival of Nice (see below) and drawing
more visitors than the Monaca F1 Grand Prix.
This years’ event, which will be the 86th edition,
will take place from 16th February – 9th March with the
theme of ”Mondes Fantastiques” – Wonderful Worlds. In previous years the theme
has ranged from Bollywood to Around the World in 80 Days.
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| 2018 - Bollywood Theme |
Citrus Exhibiton
During the festival, the
Biovès Gardens, in the centre of Menton, are transformed into a yellow and
orange wonderland. Huge temporary sculptures are erected, completely clad with citrus fruit which are a treat for all the senses. The crew, of over 400 people, use 140 tonnes of citrus fruit and 750,000
elastic bands (!) to decorate these enormous structures as well as the floats used in
the parade.
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| 140,000 tonnes of citrus fruit are used! |
On
certain evenings the gardens are lit up from 8.30pm and the twinkling lights
only enhance the displays. In 2019 these dates will be Saturday 16th
February, Friday 22nd February and Friday 1st March. See below for pricing of the Jardins des
Lumieres.
Golden Fruit Parades and Night – Time Parades
Every
Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm, during the festival, dazzling citrus-fruit floats
parade along the beachfront on the
Promenade du Soleil, with dancers, bands, and confetti.
There are also several Night-time
parades which are followed by fireworks - these will be held on Thursday 21st February and Thursday
28th February at 9pm
Hours
and entrance fees:
The Citrus
Exhibition in the Bioves Gardens is open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. On the days of the Night parades and Jardin des Lumieres it is open 9am - 9pm
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| The Entrance Gates |
Adults Adults (online) Children 6-14 Under 6’s
Citrus Exhibition (the
gardens) €12
€10 €6 FREE
Golden Fruit Parade / Night
Parade €25 €25 €10 €10 Seated tickets – Reservation needed.
Golden Fruit Parade / Night
Parade €12 €10 €6 FREE Standing
Jardins des Lumieres €13 €13 €8 FREE
Packages are also available
with combinations of parades and the exhibition - see the Official Website
NB: No dogs/animals allowed
in the gardens or on the procession routes.
Access: Menton is easily reached by car or train - from Cannes it is about a 1 hour 20 train ride.
Accommodation:
Visiting the French Riviera and haven't booked your accommodation yet? Why not check out our wonderful centrally-located, self catering, townhouses and apartments sleeping from 2 - 11 people. All our properties are air-conditioned and are located on pedestrian streets within 5 minutes walk of the beach. We are a small family-run company so we are on hand for anything you may need before, during or after your stay!
Chic Gites - Accommodation Cannes
Access: Menton is easily reached by car or train - from Cannes it is about a 1 hour 20 train ride.
Accommodation:
Visiting the French Riviera and haven't booked your accommodation yet? Why not check out our wonderful centrally-located, self catering, townhouses and apartments sleeping from 2 - 11 people. All our properties are air-conditioned and are located on pedestrian streets within 5 minutes walk of the beach. We are a small family-run company so we are on hand for anything you may need before, during or after your stay!
Chic Gites - Accommodation Cannes
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