Fete du Citron

Name: Fete du Citron
Start: 2025-02-14
End: 2025-03-01
Location: Menton

A Citrus Dream and Fragrance Spreading Across the South of France

2026/02/13 - 2026/03/02

From mid-February to early March each year, the town of Menton in southern France is awash in vibrant yellows and oranges, as the scent of lemons and oranges drifts on the breeze. Attracting over 300,000 visitors from around the world, this festival promises a dreamlike experience filled with gigantic citrus sculptures, parades, lively music, confetti, and the Mediterranean light. Families, couples, and friends alike all find themselves smiling at this iconic spring event on the Riviera.

The Fête du Citron is held in Menton, a town near the Italian border and close to Cannes, Nice, and Monaco. The region’s rich citrus heritage and ever-changing annual themes offer visitors fresh surprises and inspiration every year.

Main Attractions

Giant Citrus Sculptures and Parades

The heart of the festival is the line-up of enormous lemon and orange sculptures in the Biovès Gardens, some reaching up to 11 meters high. Artisans spend over 1,000 hours arranging each fruit by hand, using up to 15 tons of citrus to create these masterpieces. By day, the colors are dazzling; by night, the sculptures are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.

Key Events

Themed parades feature floats and characters decorated with lemons and oranges, accompanied by dancers and marching bands. Night parades, fireworks, and swirling confetti bring the crowd close to the action, making this a carnival that delights all five senses.

Costumes and Decorations

Parade participants appear in colorful costumes, dresses, and hats that match the year’s theme. The entire town is decorated with yellow and orange banners, citrus sculptures, and flowers, so just strolling through the streets envelopes you in a citrus-scented world. Confetti rains down, coloring clothing, hair, and even bags—a signature of the festival.

Traditional Food & Drink

Local specialties like lemon tarts, orange marmalade, candied citrus fruits, and lemon-infused olive oil fill the stalls and cafés. “Citronnade” (lemonade) is especially popular in the gardens, with its refreshing sweet-and-tart flavor adding to the festival’s lingering charm.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Menton Lemon Festival began in 1934, conceived by local hoteliers. It has since grown into a major carnival celebrating the region’s citrus production and the arrival of spring. Now one of the Côte d’Azur’s three biggest events, it is a source of local pride and a highlight for tourism.

Each year’s theme changes, sparking new artistic creations and parades. At the end of the festival, the lemons and oranges used in the displays are sold at bargain prices—a unique tradition.

Participant Voices

Confetti from the parade rained down on our heads, and the kids were overjoyed. The citrus floats and dancers were so close, the whole family had a blast. After the festival, we bought lemons and oranges by the kilo. Making citronnade at home brought back the scent of Menton and made us so happy!

Fun Facts

Over 100 tons of citrus fruits are used for the festival each year, sometimes reaching as much as 145 tons.
Some sculptures require more than 1,000 hours of work and up to 15 tons of fruit.
After the festival, the used lemons and oranges are sold at low prices throughout the city.
The confetti used in the parades is called “confetti,” and festival-goers end up covered in color.
The Jean Cocteau Museum and the medieval fortress ruins are also highlights of a visit to Menton.