What to Do in Menton on the Weekend of August 22–23, 2026: Events, Tours and Things Not to Miss

The weekend of Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2026, is a perfect opportunity to experience Menton through culture, the seaside, gastronomy, evening shopping and entertainment. The French Riviera town offers a wide range of activities throughout the summer, alongside events specifically scheduled for the weekend. The program includes guided tours, experiences centered around the famous Menton lemon, family activities, exhibitions, markets and opportunities to enjoy the evening along the waterfront.

One of the easiest events to include in your itinerary is the Summer Night Market, held on both Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 at the Mail du Bastion, next to the historic center and the sea. The market is open from 6:00 pm to midnight, with free admission, and brings together around 32 artisans and vendors offering crafts, jewelry, paintings and other products. It is one of Menton’s traditional summer events and a great opportunity to stroll along the waterfront after dinner or start the evening browsing local creations.

Saturday, August 22: tours, fragrances and the flavors of Menton

Saturday morning can begin with an exploration of Menton’s gardens and heritage. At 10:00 am, at the Jardin Serre de la Madone, 74 route du Val de Gorbio, the Fragonard Guided Tour & Perfume Workshop combines a guided visit of the garden with a workshop dedicated to perfumery. Held every Saturday during July and August, the experience lasts approximately two hours and allows visitors to discover the botanical heritage of the garden before creating their own fragrance. The price is €30. Visitors are advised to arrive around ten minutes before the start and wear comfortable shoes. The activity is not particularly suitable for people with reduced mobility, and children must be accompanied.

Also at 10:00 am, the Les visites surprises de Menton begins at the Parvis de la Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, Place de l’Église. This theatrical guided tour offers an original way of discovering the heritage of Menton’s old town. The event is scheduled every Saturday until August 29 and lasts approximately one and a half hours. The ticket price is €14, reduced to €7 for teenagers aged 14 to 18, with some free admission options. It is an interesting choice for travelers who want to discover Menton through a more unconventional experience than a traditional guided tour.

For those interested in local history, Saturday, August 22 is also an opportunity to visit the exhibition “Mentonnais d’hier à aujourd’hui”, located at the Voûte du Patrimoine N°10, Sablettes. The exhibition brings together 48 historical and contemporary photographs, creating a dialogue between the city’s past and its present-day appearance. On Saturday, it is open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with free admission.

For anyone wishing to discover one of the symbols of the French Riviera, Domaine Gannac, at 2970 Route de Super Garavan, offers the Domaine Gannac Guided Tour on Saturday. The experience introduces visitors to the history of the estate and the Menton IGP Lemon, followed by a tasting of its organic produce. On Saturday, August 22, tours are scheduled from 9:00 to 10:15 am and 1:00 to 2:15 pm. The adult ticket costs €25, while children under eight enter free of charge. From July 1 to August 29, a free shuttle service from Maison Gannac is also available. Comfortable shoes are recommended because of the slope of the orchard.

Domaine Gannac also offers an experience particularly suited to international visitors: the Domaine Gannac Guided Tour in English. On Saturday, August 22, English-language tours are scheduled from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and 3:30 to 4:30 pm, again at Maison Gannac on Route de Super Garavan. The price is €25 for adults, while children under eight are admitted free.

For a relaxing outdoor break, visitors can also head to Bibliothèque à la plage, on the Esplanade Francis Palmero, open free of charge on Saturday, August 22 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 to 6:30 pm. The initiative brings books, newspapers, magazines, comics and recreational activities directly to the beach, providing an alternative to a traditional day by the sea. The facility is closed on Sundays.

In the afternoon, families can enjoy the Grande Roue de Menton, located at Espace Rondelli, 9 quai Gordon Bennet. The Ferris wheel is open on both Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 pm to midnight. The standard ticket costs €8, while the reduced fare for children under 1.20 meters is €6.

Another attraction that allows visitors to explore Menton comfortably is the Menton Tourist Train, departing from 1780 Promenade du Soleil. On Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, departures are scheduled at 10:15, 11:15 and 12:15 am, followed by afternoon departures at 2:15, 3:15, 4:15 and 5:15 pm. The route is particularly suitable for families and visitors who want an overview of the city without having to walk the entire itinerary. The ticket costs €12 for adults, €6 for children aged 4 to 12, and €10 for students and people with disabilities, according to the organizer’s conditions.

From the sea to sunset: Saturday’s summer experiences

The weekend can continue on the water with Pique-Nique baignade, a boat trip departing from the Société Maritime – Vieux Port de Menton. The experience, available throughout the summer until August 31, departs at 10:30 am and ends at 1:30 pm. The program includes a cruise along the coast and a swimming stop in a small cove with clear waters. It is an ideal option for combining a boat trip, swimming and a break away from Menton’s main beaches.

Alternatively, the day can end at sea with Riviera Française au coucher de soleil, a sunset boat excursion. Departing from the Old Port of Menton, the route follows the bay of Menton toward Cap Martin and the Bay of Monaco, offering a different perspective of the Riviera’s villas and buildings. The experience is scheduled from July 31 to August 31, with departure listed at 7:00 pm in Menton’s summer agenda.

For food and wine lovers, Saturday evening also offers the Soirée dégustation de vins à Menton, starting at 6:00 pm at 11 rue Saint-Michel. The experience costs €115 and includes an introduction to wine-tasting techniques, a walking tour of approximately one kilometer and a final stop dedicated to the famous Menton lemon tart. Groups are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of ten participants.

Saturday evening between the market and entertainment

After 6:00 pm, the Summer Night Market at Mail du Bastion becomes one of the main meeting points of the evening. Visitors looking for a more festive atmosphere can head to the Summer Party at Casino Barrière Menton, 2 bis avenue Félix Faure, where the seaside terrace becomes an open-air dance floor. The event runs throughout the summer from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am, with DJ sets, a bar and dishes designed for sharing. Saturday is dedicated to “The Grand Mix,” a musical evening featuring a variety of genres and popular hits. Access to the terrace is restricted to adults, and a valid ID is required.

Sunday, August 23: a more relaxed day of sea, culture and sightseeing

Sunday, August 23 can be devoted mainly to activities running throughout the summer. The Village d’été, located on the Esplanade Elisée Reclus, is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, with free admission. The space offers various activities for families and children, including trampolines, games, a pool area and other recreational attractions, as well as food stands offering crêpes, waffles, ice cream, hamburgers and drinks.

For a panoramic view of the city, visitors can once again choose the Grande Roue de Menton, open on Sunday from 4:00 pm to midnight, or the Menton Tourist Train, which operates from 10:15 am to 6:00 pm according to the summer schedule. This makes it possible to plan a relaxed Sunday, alternating time by the sea with sightseeing in the city center.

Culture remains an important part of the program as well. The exhibition “Le Château de la Bête”, at the Musée Jean Cocteau – Le Bastion, and “Les jardins enchantés de Cocteau” continue throughout the summer and can both be included in a Sunday itinerary.

Sunday evening: the market and Summer Party

On Sunday evening, the Summer Night Market returns to the Mail du Bastion, open from 6:00 pm until midnight. Its location between the city center and the waterfront makes it easy to combine with a stroll through the old town or dinner nearby. Admission is free and the market remains open after sunset.

Those wishing to continue the evening into the night can head to the Summer Party at Casino Barrière Menton, also taking place on Sunday, August 23, from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. Sunday’s theme is “Hit Machines 90-2000,” with a musical selection dedicated to major hits from the 1990s and 2000s. The sea-view terrace becomes one of the liveliest spots in Menton on Sunday night. Admission is restricted to adults and requires valid identification.

A weekend in Menton between citrus, sea and culture

The weekend of August 22–23, 2026 in Menton offers a remarkably varied program, combining cultural and gastronomic experiences with relaxation and entertainment. The morning can be devoted to gardens, local heritage and the world of the Menton Lemon, the afternoon to the beach, the Village d’été or the Ferris wheel, while the evening offers two very different atmospheres at the Mail du Bastion and the Casino Barrière terrace.

To make the most of the weekend, it is advisable to check availability and booking requirements before traveling, particularly for guided tours, boat trips and limited-capacity gastronomic experiences. The schedules listed above refer to the published 2026 summer program, but individual activities may be changed or canceled in the event of unfavorable weather conditions.