About this Event
The Fête du Citron, Menton’s famous Lemon Festival, is one of the most colourful winter festivals on the French Riviera. Born in 1934, when Menton was still Europe’s leading lemon producer, it celebrates the town’s citrus heritage with giant sculptures and floats made entirely from lemons and oranges. The 2027 edition, themed “Douce France”, attracts more than 250,000 visitors over 15 days, with golden fruit parades, illuminated night parades, citrus-pattern exhibitions, gardens, markets and gourmet experiences.
Date
The festival runs from 13 to 28 February 2027 in Menton, France.
Explore Local Experiences
Venue & Location
The main venues are the Jardins Biovès, home to the giant citrus-pattern exhibition, and the Palais de l’Europe, home to the Orchid and Winter Garden Show. The central address is Jardins Biovès, Avenue Boyer, 06500 Menton, France, with parades travelling through the centre of Menton and along the seafront.
Staying overnight?
Check the nearest hotel near the venue.
Full programme
| Event | Dates | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibition of Citrus Patterns | 13–28 February 2027 | Daytime |
| Golden Fruit Parades | 14, 21, 28 February 2027 | 14:30 |
| Night-time Parades | 18, 25 February 2027 | 21:00 |
| Gardens of Light | 16, 19, 23, 26 February 2027 | 20:30 |
| Orchid and Winter Garden Show | 13–28 February 2027 | Daytime |
| Village of Flavours and Crafts | 13–28 February 2027 | Daytime |
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you plan your visit.
When is the Fête du Citron Festival 2027 in Menton?
The Fête du Citron 2027 takes place from 13 to 28 February 2027, in Menton, on the French Riviera, close to the Italian border. It lasts for more than 15 days, making it one of the longest winter festivals on the Côte d’Azur. Visitors can come for a single parade day, or stay for several days to enjoy the citrus exhibition, night parades, gardens, markets and food experiences.
What is the theme of the Fête du Citron 2027?
The 2027 theme is “Douce France”, or Sweet France. Each year, the festival chooses a new theme, and the giant citrus sculptures in the Jardins Biovès and the floats in the parades are all designed around it. The theme gives visitors a fresh reason to return every year, even if they have already seen the Lemon Festival before.
What are the Golden Fruit Parades and the night parades?
The Golden Fruit Parades, or Corsos des Fruits d’Or, are the main daytime parades, held on Sundays 14, 21 and 28 February 2027. Floats decorated with lemons and oranges travel through Menton, surrounded by dancers, musicians and performers. The illuminated night parades, or Corsos Nocturnes, take place on Thursdays 18 and 25 February, when the floats are lit up and the festival takes on a magical, after-dark atmosphere. For Sunday parades, visitors are strongly advised to arrive in Menton before 11:00 am, and for Thursday parades before 6:00 pm.
Where is the Exhibition of Citrus Patterns, and how much are tickets?
The Exhibition of Citrus Patterns is in the Jardins Biovès, Avenue Boyer, 06500 Menton, France, and is open from 13 to 28 February 2027, daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tickets for the Fête du Citron 2027 range from 2 to 37 EUR depending on the event, with different prices for exhibitions, parades and combined experiences. Children under 6 and some disability card holders receive free entry, but they still need an entry ticket.
Why is Menton called the lemon capital, and what is the history of the Fête du Citron?
Menton was once Europe’s leading lemon producer, and in 1929 a local hotelier had the idea of exhibiting flowers and citrus fruits in his hotel gardens to enliven the town in winter. The Fête du Citron was officially created in 1934, with floats decorated with lemons and oranges, and one year later the first citrus and flower exhibition was launched in the Biovès gardens. Since then, the festival has grown into an internationally renowned event, attracting more than 250,000 visitors every year to celebrate Menton’s lemons, oranges, gardens and Mediterranean sunshine.
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