In the depths of a British winter it is always enticing to look ahead to warm summer days in France. However, you need not wait quite so long if you head to the French Riviera in February – notably to Menton (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) for its annual Lemon Festival (17 February – 3 March 2024). Every Sunday during the Festival there is a vibrant parade of floats decorated with citrus fruits, bands, dancers in exotic costumes – along the seafront.
A multicoloured festival under the sun! The town comes alive on Sunday mornings, when coaches and cars dance through the streets, an endless farandole of people swaying down the alleyways to the sea. Laughter and joy shine from happy faces everywhere.
Today is a holiday! A wide-eyed child stares in wonderment at the confetti showering from the sea blue sky… Creative masks and smptuous costumes abound; fanfares twirl and zigzag through the citrus-laden floats to the sound of traditional drums.
On Thursday nights there is a Moonlit Parade with more floats, music and fireworks! Then there is are displays of local crafts and stalls offering every variation on citrus fruit. This area of the French Riviera enjoys a sub-tropical climate with a steady temperature of 6-13° C ,and is shielded from harmful winds by the nearby mountains.
