Jean Cocteau Jean Cocteau MuseumMenton cemetery © Menton, Riviera & MerveillesHigh on a hill sits Menton cemetery. An oddchoice for a visit you might think but hearme out. This is a cemetery with astonishingviews. Look south over the city to the sea andas far as Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, look eastto see Italy, and to the north are the soaringAlps. The cemetery, built on the ruins of theancient castle of Menton, is the last restingplace of several prominent residents. It’s filledwith statues, sculptures and monuments, andtombs that look like tiny villas. Much as thetown grew organically over the centuries, thefive levels of the cemetery simply spread outover time. You can’t miss the last resting placeof William Web Ellis, his tomb is permanentlyhonoured with rugby shirts and rugby balls leftby fans.From spring to early winter, bright pink andpurple bougainvillea grows everywhere andorange and lemon trees thrive in gardensand streets year-round, but one of thebest places to see them is at the beautifulPalais Carnolès. In 1717, Prince Antoine 1 ofMonaco commissioned a summer palace toPalais Carnolès © Menton, Riviera & Merveilles Joëlle MartinSerre de la Madone © Menton, Riviera & Merveilles Pango Visualbe built in the style of Versailles which is nowthe Museum of Fine Arts, and the Prince’sornamental fruit grove contains the mostimportant collection of citrus fruits in Europe -137 varieties of citrus in a single site.The locals say that the grass really is greenerhere and that’s not hard to believe becausethere are so many spellbinding gardens. Onenot to miss is Serre de la Madone, createdby British botanist and garden designerLawrence W. Johnston in the early 20thcentury – he also created the legendaryHidcote Manor Garden in England, thoughmany consider the Menton garden evenbetter than Hidcote. Take a guided tour, orsimply get lost in the beauty of its gorgeousgreen alleys even in winter. It’s a lovely placeto while away a few hours.And for a more exotic garden, Val Rahmeh,complete with fountains, giant waterlilypond and plants from around the world is anabsolute beauty.Don’t miss the fabulous art-deco coveredmarket Les Halles de Menton where you’llfind fabulous local produce from Monday toSunday. Lemons flavour everything here andthere are plenty of shops to indulge your newpassion! Try lemon beer from Mentounasc,4* family-ownedhotel and restaurantExceptional service &stylish rooms, suites andcottages plus pool &gorgeous gardensA truly unique & authenticProvence experience in astunning locationLes Baux de ProvenceBenvengudo.com14 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 15
