Events in Menton on September 12 and 13, 2026: What to Do This Weekend

The weekend of Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026 is a particularly interesting time to visit Menton, on the French Riviera. In mid-September, the city still enjoys a distinctly summery atmosphere, while its events calendar begins to focus more strongly on culture, heritage and experiences linked to the city’s historic gardens. During the weekend, visitors can enjoy guided tours, photography exhibitions, a flea market along the seafront, the chance to discover Menton’s famous gardens and, on Sunday evening, an important charity concert.

The official programme also includes several activities taking place throughout September or over longer periods, ranging from gastronomic experiences to boat trips along the Riviera. Here is what to know to make the most of a weekend in Menton on September 12 and 13, 2026.

Saturday, September 12: photography, history and Menton’s gardens

Saturday can begin at the Voûte du Patrimoine No. 10, on the Esplanade des Sablettes, with the final day of the exhibition “Patrimoine et photographie : Mentonnais d’hier à aujourd’hui”. Running from June 20 to September 12, 2026, the exhibition brings together historic photographs and contemporary images of the city, creating a dialogue between Menton of the past and Menton today. The exhibition features 48 images and explores the evolution of the city’s urban heritage and identity through photography.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Voûte du Patrimoine No. 10, Sablettes, Menton
Opening hours: 10:00 am–12:30 pm and 2:00 pm–6:00 pm
Admission: Free

This is also the last day of the exhibition, as it closes on September 12. For anyone interested in photography, architecture and local history, it is therefore one of the key cultural events to include in a weekend itinerary.

Saturday is also an excellent opportunity to discover some of Menton’s historic gardens. At 10:00 am, the Jardin Maria Serena, at 21 promenade Reine Astrid, offers a guided tour of one of the city’s most beautiful exotic gardens. The tour lasts approximately one and a half hours, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, and introduces visitors to the history of the garden and its remarkable collection of exotic plants, palms and cycads, all thriving in Menton’s unique microclimate.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Jardin Maria Serena, 21 promenade Reine Astrid, Menton
Time: 10:00–11:30 am
Price: €10 full price; €7 for visitors aged 6 to 18
Useful information: Advance booking is required and payment cannot be made on site. The tour may be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

The afternoon can then be devoted to a guided tour of the Jardin Serre de la Madone, one of Menton’s great botanical treasures. The tour on Saturday, September 12, is scheduled from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at Jardin Serre de la Madone, 74 route du Val de Gorbio. Listed as a “Jardin Remarquable”, the garden covers approximately 1.5 hectares and contains an impressive variety of Mediterranean, subtropical and exotic species. The tour is particularly interesting for visitors wishing to discover the work of landscape designer Lawrence Johnston and the history of this garden, which was created in the 1920s.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Jardin Serre de la Madone, 74 route du Val de Gorbio, Menton
Time: 3:00–4:30 pm
Price: €15 full price; €11 for visitors aged 6 to 18
Useful information: Entrance and the guided tour are included in the price. Parking is available nearby, while the garden can also be reached by Zest bus line No. 7, getting off at the “Serre de la Madone” stop. The tour may be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

For those who prefer exploring the historic centre on foot, Saturday morning also offers “Les ruelles de l’histoire”, a guided tour dedicated to the old town of Menton. The tour starts from the parvis of the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, on Place de l’Église, and takes visitors through the maze of narrow streets in the old town, highlighting Baroque architecture, former fortifications, Genoese influences and traces of the Belle Époque. The tour on September 12 is scheduled from 10:00 to 11:30 am.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Meeting point: Basilique Saint-Michel Archange, Place de l’Église, Menton
Time: 10:00–11:30 am
Price: €8 full price; €4 for visitors aged 14 to 18
Useful information: The route is not wheelchair accessible and may be cancelled in the event of bad weather. Advance booking is recommended.

Another cultural highlight on Saturday is the Heather McDonough photography exhibition, hosted at the Bibliothèque anglaise Saint John’s, 31 avenue Carnot. Running from September 2 to October 28, 2026, the exhibition presents photographs created by the artist inside St. John’s Church in Menton in 2003. The American photographer, who is based in London, explores themes including memory, displacement and the sense of belonging.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Bibliothèque anglaise Saint John’s, 31 avenue Carnot, Menton
Opening hours: 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Admission: Free

Sunday, September 13: a seafront flea market and a major musical event

Sunday morning in Menton begins with an event that will appeal to anyone who enjoys flea markets, vintage objects and second-hand finds. At Stade Rondelli, on the Promenade de la Mer, the “Vide Grenier M.A.H.R.A.S” will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The event is organised by the MAHRAS association – Mémoire et Avenir des Harkis, des rapatriés d’Algérie et leurs sympathisants. The official listing confirms the date and location, but does not currently provide a specific opening time, so it is advisable to check with the organisers before planning your visit.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Location: Stade Rondelli, Promenade de la Mer, 06500 Menton
Time: Not specified in the official listing
Useful information: The event takes place on the seafront, in an easily accessible area close to the Mediterranean.

Sunday is also marked by “Dimanches piétons”, an initiative designed to give pedestrians more space and encourage visitors and residents to experience Menton at a slower pace, without normal car traffic in the areas concerned. September 13, 2026 is one of the dates included in the programme, which continues with further events in the following months.

The highlight of Sunday, however, comes in the evening with “Danza!”, a charity concert performed by the baroque music ensemble Le Poème Harmonique, conducted by Vincent Dumestre, with mezzo-soprano Isabelle Druet. The concert is scheduled for Sunday, September 13 at 8:30 pm and features a vocal programme inspired by dance, accompanied by guitar and castanets.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 8:30–10:00 pm
Location: The official listing indicates Théâtre Francis Palmero, 8 avenue Boyer, 06500 Menton; however, the event description also refers to the Palais de l’Europe. It is therefore advisable to check the final venue when booking.
Admission: Free entry with a suggested donation starting from €10
Useful information: Proceeds will be donated to the Fondation Lenval. Donations are tax-deductible and a tax receipt is automatically issued. Admission is subject to available seating.

The concert is therefore not only one of the most interesting cultural events of the weekend, but also an opportunity to support a charitable cause through an engaging programme of baroque music.

Other experiences to enjoy in Menton during the weekend

Menton’s calendar also includes numerous activities that are not limited to a single day on September 12 or 13. These include gastronomic experiences such as the Gourmet Food Tour à Menton, the Expérience gastronomique à Menton, activities at the Ferme des Citrons and wine-tasting evenings. These experiences are scheduled over several weeks, but individual session times may depend on availability and advance booking. It is therefore advisable to check the specific event listing before planning your visit.

The same applies to the Balade en Mer – Découverte de la Riviera Française ou de la Riviera Italienne, scheduled from August 23 to September 17, and the Pique-Nique baignade, taking place from July 31 to September 30. These activities are particularly suitable for visitors who want to combine cultural discoveries and guided tours with time outdoors, making the most of the mild September weather.

The city’s markets also remain available throughout the weekend, including the Marché forain, Marché du Careï and Marché des Halles de Menton, along with activities connected with the gardens, the Domaine Gannac, the art workshops in the Vieux Menton and experiences dedicated to the Menton IGP Lemon. Since these are recurring activities or experiences requiring advance booking, it is important to check the actual opening times for September 12 and 13 before visiting.

A weekend combining culture, nature and the sea

The programme of events in Menton on September 12 and 13, 2026 makes it possible to create a varied itinerary without missing the elements that make this French Riviera town so special. Saturday is ideal for exploring history, photography and gardens, while also taking advantage of the final day of the “Mentonnais d’hier à aujourd’hui” exhibition. Sunday, meanwhile, can begin by the sea with the flea market and continue with walks and outdoor activities before ending with the baroque music of Danza!.

For anyone searching for things to do in Menton on September 12 and 13, 2026, the best approach is to book the guided garden tours and the charity concert in advance, check the times of bookable activities and leave some free time to explore the old town at your own pace. In September, Menton still offers the charm of the Mediterranean while presenting a particularly rich cultural programme – an ideal combination for a weekend on the French Riviera.