Animal Welfare Fair 2026 in Menton: the programme for 17 October

MENTON — A full day dedicated to animals, their protection and the wildlife that shares our environment. On Saturday 17 October 2026, Menton will host the fourth edition of the Animal Welfare Fair, an event organised by the City of Menton and open to the public free of charge.

From 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, the Palais de l’Europe will bring together associations, professionals, experts and visitors interested in the animal world. The programme includes conferences, discussions, activities, entertainment and initiatives focused on discovering and protecting animals.

The day will begin at 9:30 am with the blessing of the animals at the Jardins Biovès, officially opening the 2026 edition of the fair.

From Menton’s wildlife to animal law

The programme will explore a wide range of topics, from local wildlife to issues surrounding animal protection and welfare.

At 10 am, Bénédicte Cvyanovitch will present “Discovering the Octopuses of Menton”, an event focusing on one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating species and exploring intelligence, curiosity and trust.

At 11 am, the focus will shift to urban wildlife with the conference “Wildlife in the City”, organised with the Instinct Animal association. The session will explore the presence of wild animals in urban environments and the relationship between biodiversity and cities.

From 12 noon to 1 pm, “How Can Law Contribute to Animal Welfare?” will examine the legal dimension of animal protection. The speaker will be Marie-Cécile Lasserre, lecturer at the Faculty of Law and Political Science in Nice and director of the University Diploma in Animal Law.

At 2 pm, the programme will continue with the “Veterinarians’ Round Table”, bringing together Menton’s veterinarians for a discussion focused on animal health and welfare.

At 3 pm, “I Adopted a Human” will offer a story centred on the relationship between a man and his dog, presented by Charles Edward and Bernard Laboureau of the Les amis de Charles Edward et Louna association.

The main conference programme will conclude from 4 to 5 pm, when the L214 association will present “The Rescue of the Century”.

“SOS Marmotte” screening in Menton

One of the highlights of the day will be the screening of “SOS Marmotte”, scheduled for 3:15 pm in the Netherlands Room.

The 52-minute documentary follows a family of marmots over the course of an entire season, exploring their daily lives and the threats that may endanger their survival.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Jean-Charles Vinaj, president of the Live Together association and a wildlife photographer, offering an opportunity to learn more about wildlife conservation.

Activities and entertainment throughout the day

The fair will go beyond conferences, with a range of interactive activities and entertainment taking place throughout the day.

At the Jardins Biovès, visitors will be able to enjoy donkey walks, while the stand hosted by Océane Creusvaux will offer interactive workshops designed to help participants discover local wildlife.

The Instinct Animal association will also organise “Tracks and Footprints”, an activity focused on identifying traces left by animals and learning more about the wildlife found in the region.

The event is therefore designed to appeal to a wide audience, combining informative sessions with practical and interactive activities for anyone wishing to discover the animal world in a more hands-on way.

Dogs are welcome at the event

The City of Menton has also announced that visitors may attend the event with their dogs. Dogs must be kept on a leash, while category 1 dogs will not be permitted to enter the event.

The conferences will also be broadcast live on the Radio Top Side website, allowing people to follow the sessions remotely.

The 4th Animal Welfare Fair in Menton will take place on Saturday 17 October 2026, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, at the Palais de l’Europe. The event offers an opportunity to learn more about animals, explore issues surrounding their protection and discover initiatives dedicated to animal welfare, with free admission for everyone.