Lemon Festival

The Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) is an annual carnival in Menton, France, held every mid-February. It features floats and sculptures made from lemons and oranges, celebrating the town's citrus heritage with parades and themed displays.

• Floats and sculptures made entirely from lemons and oranges
• Held every mid-February in Menton, France
• Each year has a different creative theme
• Recognised as intangible cultural heritage by France
• Citrus fruits used are sold to the public after the festival

What it is

The Lemon Festival is a vibrant annual carnival in Menton, on the French Riviera, dedicated to the town’s famed lemons and citrus fruits. Each year, the streets come alive with parades, floats, and sculptures crafted entirely from lemons and oranges. The festival is a source of pride for locals, highlighting Menton's unique citrus tradition and its place in European horticulture. Recognised as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage, the event brings together residents and visitors to celebrate creativity, community, and the bright flavors of the region.

Where it comes from

The festival traces its roots to 1875, when local hoteliers suggested a winter carnival to attract visitors to Menton's mild climate. By 1882, it was drawing royalty and artists, including Queen Victoria. In 1928, as Menton became Europe’s main lemon producer, a hotelier organized a private citrus exhibition, inspiring the municipality to adopt the idea. The event was officially named Fête du Citron in 1934. Over the years, it has evolved into a major celebration, blending carnival traditions with a tribute to Menton's specialty lemons.

How it is celebrated

During the Lemon Festival, Menton’s streets are transformed by elaborate floats and massive sculptures, all covered in carefully arranged lemons and oranges. Each year, a new theme inspires the designs, which range from whimsical characters to intricate scenes. Parades fill the town with music, confetti, and costumed performers, echoing the festive spirit of neighboring Nice’s carnival. Traditional carnival elements like flower battles and the burning of a carnival effigy are part of the festivities. At the festival’s end, the citrus fruits used in the displays are sold at low prices, allowing everyone to take home a piece of the celebration.

Joining in

Visitors can join the festivities in Menton, where the main events unfold in the town’s gardens and along its streets. Expect lively parades, vibrant citrus sculptures, and a welcoming atmosphere. The festival is accessible to all, with opportunities to watch the floats, enjoy local food, and purchase fresh citrus at the end. It’s a unique chance to experience a beloved local tradition and the creative energy of the French Riviera in winter.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Fête du Citron, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Fête du Citron on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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