Visitors to the French Riviera swiftly fall under Menton’s magnetic spell.
Unsurprisingly, Menton photo spots abound in this “pearl of France,” as it’s affectionately known.
Interestingly, of all the French Riviera towns, Menton is considered to be the most Mediterranean.
In addition to boasting over 310 days of annual sunshine, Menton is also the lovable locale of Fête du Citron, the town’s annual lemon festival!
(No wonder it quickly became my favorite French Riviera town!)
Between its cheery facades, stunning waterfront, and plentiful sunny days, Menton is a true pleasure to photograph – and, more importantly, to experience.
So if you’re ready to capture the unique beauty of this special destination, be sure to add these Menton photo spots to your French Riviera itinerary!
In a rush? Pin this post for later!
Practical Details for Visiting these Menton Photo Spots
Before we dive in, let’s cover the practical details of this beloved village and how to best reach these Menton photo spots.
Menton is located on the far eastern end of the French Riviera, kissing the border of Northern Italy and the Ligurian shore. In fact, it’s only about a 40-minute drive from the Italian city of Sanremo.
Outside of arriving to Menton by private boat, there are three main ways to reach the city: by train, by bus, and by car.
Traveling to Menton by Train
Train travel is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to reach Menton and the ride takes just under 40 minutes from Nice.
You’ll want to get off at the Menton Station, the stop just after Monaco and the final one before Italy.
It then only takes about 10 minutes on foot to travel from the station to beaches on the east side of town.
Head here for train timetables, pricing, and to book a ticket.
Traveling to Menton by Bus
While the bus takes longer than the train (typically from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes), it’s another public transportation method to consider.
Bus 100 goes from Nice to Menton and costs 1.50 EUR ($1.73 USD). You can purchase tickets directly on the bus.
Traveling to Menton by Car
It’s not necessary to have a car while in Menton, as it’s a very walkable town.
However, if you’re planning to drive along the Riviera, it’s totally doable to drive into Menton.
In this case, you’ll take Exit 59 off of the A8 “Sunshine” Motorway and drive the D2566 until you reach the center of town.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to enjoy the views on the scenic route, you can take D6007, a coastal roadway that goes through Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
In regards to parking, there are a number of garages throughout the town.
Otherwise, you may get lucky with street parking, depending on what time of year you come.
The Prettiest Menton Photo Spots
Intersection of Rue du Palmier and Rue de la Conception
The first two locations on this list of Menton photo spots center around the charming Galerie De SAÏD, a lovely art gallery.
Perpendicular to the gallery is this compelling cross-section of buildings.
While the facades are eye-catching on their own, if you’d prefer to be in a photo here, you can sit atop the stone ramp dividing the streets.
PHOTO TIP: I recommend shooting at or around 24mm. This shot was taken at 24mm, f/4.
How to Get Here:
Galerie De SAÏD is located at the intersection of Rue du Palmier and Rue de la Conception.
Brick Street Leading Down from the Galerie De SAÏD
Alternatively, if you look down from atop the street where the gallery’s located, you’ll be greeted with this irresistibly charming view.
Between the lantern, the brick and stone walkway, the flower-box-clad windows, and the warm-toned facades, I was in pure heaven.
If this isn’t the perfect French storybook street, I don’t know what is!
PHOTO TIP: Have your photographer stand at the top of the street and then walk down a bit from there to create some depth.
I recommend shooting between 24 – 35mm. This shot was captured at 34mm, f/4.
How to Get Here:
Follow the directions above for Galerie De SAÏD.
Rue des Grenadiers
Next, with your back turned to the gallery looking uphill, head right.
After a few steps, you’ll be looking down upon this lovely pastel block, Rue des Grenadiers, which is the next street over.
PHOTO TIP: You can either shoot the street from above (like we did) or walk along the road directly and capture it from ground level.
Rampe Saint-Michel from Above
Do you love mountain views?
Then you’ll definitely want to capture the famous Rampe Saint-Michel from above.
Although most of the focus is (understandably) given to this spectacular staircase from the opposite perspective (as you’ll see in a moment), the view from above is also incredible.
While it may look a little unnerving to sit atop this ledge, I personally felt perfectly safe.
For one, the width of the ledge is comfortable.
In addition, there isn’t much of a drop here (despite how it may look in the photo). In fact, there’s a landing just a few feet below where I sat, behind the wall.
However, if this spot makes you uncomfortable, by all means, don’t push yourself!
You can still capture a beautiful photo by standing behind the wall instead.
PHOTO TIP: In order to capture a similar composition where the mountains are angled above you, your photographer will need to climb the steps of the church behind this spot. This elevation will create the desired angle.
Alternatively, if you’re shooting with a tripod, extend the legs to maximum height and angle the camera down.
Our picture was shot at 32 mm, f/4.
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Rpe Saint-Michel, 06500 in Menton.
Rampe Saint-Michel from Below
After you’ve captured it from above, it’s time to head down the steps for the reverse perspective.
Once you’re at the bottom, you’ll be rewarded by this incredible staircase view!
The impressive stair ramps lead to the beautiful Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel, Menton’s famous Baroque-style church, which you can see at the top.
PHOTO TIP: Photographers will have a field day here with the eye-catching zigzag pattern and the compelling angles. I recommend using a zoom lens so that you can try a couple of different compositions.
That said, you’ll definitely want to go wide here for at least one of your shots so that you can capture the full staircase.
As a point of reference, we used our 20mm prime f/3.5.
Also, keep in mind that the ramps are even steeper than they appear in photos!
Although I considered sitting on one for a shot, I didn’t feel steady hoisting myself up, let alone keeping my balance.
Take this as your reminder that if something doesn’t feel safe, don’t take the risk!
It’s never worth sacrificing your safety for a photo.
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Rpe Saint-Michel as above and then go down the stairs.
Colorful Facades of Place Fontana
One of the defining characteristics of the French Riviera is its colorful facades.
You’ll notice this trend in Villefranche-sur-Mer as well as in the capital city of Nice – and it definitely holds true in Menton, too!
Place Fontana – also known as Fontana Square – is the perfect spot to capture the inviting colors the Riviera is known for.
This is Menton’s historical square, a popular gathering place that’s home to a number of restaurants.
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Place Fontana, Menton.
Alleyway Next to Le Petit Port (Rue du Jonquier)
In the heart of Place Fontana, you’ll notice a charming restaurant, Le Petit Port.
To the left of the restaurant is this colorful alleyway – Rue du Jonquier – leading back up to the maze of streets.
Although it’s certainly narrow, that adds to its charm!
While you’re here, you may wish to capture the adorable outdoor restaurant set-up as well – and/or stop and have some seafood!
How to Get Here:
To find the alleyway, navigate to Le Petit Port, located at 4 Rue du Jonquier, 06500 in Menton.
Promenade Overlooking Plage des Sablettes
Menton has a bunch of public and private beaches, ranging from rocky to sandy/fine gravel.
Plage des Sablettes is one of the most popular ones, located along the old town.
From the promenade perspective, you can get a nice view of the beach – and the dramatic mountain backdrop.
PHOTO TIP: I recommend shooting at or around 35mm.
Our shot was taken at 38mm, f/3.5.
How to Get Here:
To reach this point, navigate to Plage des Sablettes.
Quai Impératrice Eugénie
As soon as you see Quai Impératrice Eugénie, you’ll understand why Menton is considered to be one of the best hidden gems in France. Easily the most iconic of the Menton photo spots, this pier along the Old Port is arguably the soul of this wonderful French Riviera village.
Just as I’ve saved the best for last here, I recommend you visit this final gem at sunset!
As the sun goes down, the buildings come to life with twinkling lights, illuminating the brilliant backdrop of colorful facades.
Although there are a number of different angles to capture here, I think the sea view from the perspective of the giant rocks is the best one.
PHOTO TIP: It takes some time to travel down the pier and climb over the giant, cumbersome rocks. Therefore, I recommend making your way down here at least 20 minutes prior to sunset, if not earlier. This will allow you time to walk at a comfortable pace and set up the shot before the sky starts showing off.
Also, if you’re visiting in the high season, keep in mind that you’ll probably be sharing this space with other eager photographers. This spot is definitely no secret!
That said, my husband and I really lucked out when we were here in mid-September. There was only one other couple shooting on the rocks and a few scattered people wandering the pier, so it made for a really smooth shoot!
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Plage des Sablettes and follow the pier that runs perpendicular to the beach until you reach the breakwater.
Bonus Menton Photo Spots
Did you know that Menton is home to a number of beautiful botanical gardens?
FUN FACT: A popular slogan for Menton is “My city is a garden.” This is due to its high volume of lush vegetation, ranging from Mediterranean to tropical plants.
Although we unfortunately didn’t have time to explore beyond Menton’s Old City, the village’s beautiful gardens definitely deserve a place on this list!
Here are some popular favorites:
Now that you’ve seen what Menton has to offer, I hope I’ve inspired you to add this incredible destination to your French Riviera itinerary.
Have you ever visited this beautiful town before? If so, what Menton photo spots did I miss? Let me know in the comments below!
In the meantime, if you’d like to keep fantasizing about Southern France, I’ve got you covered!
Check out my other French Riviera guides:
Did you find this post useful? Pin it to your boards!
Visitors to the French Riviera swiftly fall under Menton’s magnetic spell.
Unsurprisingly, Menton photo spots abound in this “pearl of France,” as it’s affectionately known.
Interestingly, of all the French Riviera towns, Menton is considered to be the most Mediterranean.
In addition to boasting over 310 days of annual sunshine, Menton is also the lovable locale of Fête du Citron, the town’s annual lemon festival!
(No wonder it quickly became my favorite French Riviera town!)
Between its cheery facades, stunning waterfront, and plentiful sunny days, Menton is a true pleasure to photograph – and, more importantly, to experience.
So if you’re ready to capture the unique beauty of this special destination, be sure to add these Menton photo spots to your French Riviera itinerary!
In a rush? Pin this post for later!
Practical Details for Visiting these Menton Photo Spots
Before we dive in, let’s cover the practical details of this beloved village and how to best reach these Menton photo spots.
Menton is located on the far eastern end of the French Riviera, kissing the border of Northern Italy and the Ligurian shore. In fact, it’s only about a 40-minute drive from the Italian city of Sanremo.
Outside of arriving to Menton by private boat, there are three main ways to reach the city: by train, by bus, and by car.
Traveling to Menton by Train
Train travel is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to reach Menton and the ride takes just under 40 minutes from Nice.
You’ll want to get off at the Menton Station, the stop just after Monaco and the final one before Italy.
It then only takes about 10 minutes on foot to travel from the station to beaches on the east side of town.
Head here for train timetables, pricing, and to book a ticket.
Traveling to Menton by Bus
While the bus takes longer than the train (typically from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes), it’s another public transportation method to consider.
Bus 100 goes from Nice to Menton and costs 1.50 EUR ($1.73 USD). You can purchase tickets directly on the bus.
Traveling to Menton by Car
It’s not necessary to have a car while in Menton, as it’s a very walkable town.
However, if you’re planning to drive along the Riviera, it’s totally doable to drive into Menton.
In this case, you’ll take Exit 59 off of the A8 “Sunshine” Motorway and drive the D2566 until you reach the center of town.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to enjoy the views on the scenic route, you can take D6007, a coastal roadway that goes through Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
In regards to parking, there are a number of garages throughout the town.
Otherwise, you may get lucky with street parking, depending on what time of year you come.
The Prettiest Menton Photo Spots
Intersection of Rue du Palmier and Rue de la Conception
The first two locations on this list of Menton photo spots center around the charming Galerie De SAÏD, a lovely art gallery.
Perpendicular to the gallery is this compelling cross-section of buildings.
While the facades are eye-catching on their own, if you’d prefer to be in a photo here, you can sit atop the stone ramp dividing the streets.
PHOTO TIP: I recommend shooting at or around 24mm. This shot was taken at 24mm, f/4.
How to Get Here:
Galerie De SAÏD is located at the intersection of Rue du Palmier and Rue de la Conception.
Brick Street Leading Down from the Galerie De SAÏD
Alternatively, if you look down from atop the street where the gallery’s located, you’ll be greeted with this irresistibly charming view.
Between the lantern, the brick and stone walkway, the flower-box-clad windows, and the warm-toned facades, I was in pure heaven.
If this isn’t the perfect French storybook street, I don’t know what is!
PHOTO TIP: Have your photographer stand at the top of the street and then walk down a bit from there to create some depth.
I recommend shooting between 24 – 35mm. This shot was captured at 34mm, f/4.
How to Get Here:
Follow the directions above for Galerie De SAÏD.
Rue des Grenadiers
Next, with your back turned to the gallery looking uphill, head right.
After a few steps, you’ll be looking down upon this lovely pastel block, Rue des Grenadiers, which is the next street over.
PHOTO TIP: You can either shoot the street from above (like we did) or walk along the road directly and capture it from ground level.
Rampe Saint-Michel from Above
Do you love mountain views?
Then you’ll definitely want to capture the famous Rampe Saint-Michel from above.
Although most of the focus is (understandably) given to this spectacular staircase from the opposite perspective (as you’ll see in a moment), the view from above is also incredible.
While it may look a little unnerving to sit atop this ledge, I personally felt perfectly safe.
For one, the width of the ledge is comfortable.
In addition, there isn’t much of a drop here (despite how it may look in the photo). In fact, there’s a landing just a few feet below where I sat, behind the wall.
However, if this spot makes you uncomfortable, by all means, don’t push yourself!
You can still capture a beautiful photo by standing behind the wall instead.
PHOTO TIP: In order to capture a similar composition where the mountains are angled above you, your photographer will need to climb the steps of the church behind this spot. This elevation will create the desired angle.
Alternatively, if you’re shooting with a tripod, extend the legs to maximum height and angle the camera down.
Our picture was shot at 32 mm, f/4.
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Rpe Saint-Michel, 06500 in Menton.
Rampe Saint-Michel from Below
After you’ve captured it from above, it’s time to head down the steps for the reverse perspective.
Once you’re at the bottom, you’ll be rewarded by this incredible staircase view!
The impressive stair ramps lead to the beautiful Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel, Menton’s famous Baroque-style church, which you can see at the top.
PHOTO TIP: Photographers will have a field day here with the eye-catching zigzag pattern and the compelling angles. I recommend using a zoom lens so that you can try a couple of different compositions.
That said, you’ll definitely want to go wide here for at least one of your shots so that you can capture the full staircase.
As a point of reference, we used our 20mm prime f/3.5.
Also, keep in mind that the ramps are even steeper than they appear in photos!
Although I considered sitting on one for a shot, I didn’t feel steady hoisting myself up, let alone keeping my balance.
Take this as your reminder that if something doesn’t feel safe, don’t take the risk!
It’s never worth sacrificing your safety for a photo.
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Rpe Saint-Michel as above and then go down the stairs.
Colorful Facades of Place Fontana
One of the defining characteristics of the French Riviera is its colorful facades.
You’ll notice this trend in Villefranche-sur-Mer as well as in the capital city of Nice – and it definitely holds true in Menton, too!
Place Fontana – also known as Fontana Square – is the perfect spot to capture the inviting colors the Riviera is known for.
This is Menton’s historical square, a popular gathering place that’s home to a number of restaurants.
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Place Fontana, Menton.
Alleyway Next to Le Petit Port (Rue du Jonquier)
In the heart of Place Fontana, you’ll notice a charming restaurant, Le Petit Port.
To the left of the restaurant is this colorful alleyway – Rue du Jonquier – leading back up to the maze of streets.
Although it’s certainly narrow, that adds to its charm!
While you’re here, you may wish to capture the adorable outdoor restaurant set-up as well – and/or stop and have some seafood!
How to Get Here:
To find the alleyway, navigate to Le Petit Port, located at 4 Rue du Jonquier, 06500 in Menton.
Promenade Overlooking Plage des Sablettes
Menton has a bunch of public and private beaches, ranging from rocky to sandy/fine gravel.
Plage des Sablettes is one of the most popular ones, located along the old town.
From the promenade perspective, you can get a nice view of the beach – and the dramatic mountain backdrop.
PHOTO TIP: I recommend shooting at or around 35mm.
Our shot was taken at 38mm, f/3.5.
How to Get Here:
To reach this point, navigate to Plage des Sablettes.
Quai Impératrice Eugénie
As soon as you see Quai Impératrice Eugénie, you’ll understand why Menton is considered to be one of the best hidden gems in France. Easily the most iconic of the Menton photo spots, this pier along the Old Port is arguably the soul of this wonderful French Riviera village.
Just as I’ve saved the best for last here, I recommend you visit this final gem at sunset!
As the sun goes down, the buildings come to life with twinkling lights, illuminating the brilliant backdrop of colorful facades.
Although there are a number of different angles to capture here, I think the sea view from the perspective of the giant rocks is the best one.
PHOTO TIP: It takes some time to travel down the pier and climb over the giant, cumbersome rocks. Therefore, I recommend making your way down here at least 20 minutes prior to sunset, if not earlier. This will allow you time to walk at a comfortable pace and set up the shot before the sky starts showing off.
Also, if you’re visiting in the high season, keep in mind that you’ll probably be sharing this space with other eager photographers. This spot is definitely no secret!
That said, my husband and I really lucked out when we were here in mid-September. There was only one other couple shooting on the rocks and a few scattered people wandering the pier, so it made for a really smooth shoot!
How to Get Here:
Navigate to Plage des Sablettes and follow the pier that runs perpendicular to the beach until you reach the breakwater.
Bonus Menton Photo Spots
Did you know that Menton is home to a number of beautiful botanical gardens?
FUN FACT: A popular slogan for Menton is “My city is a garden.” This is due to its high volume of lush vegetation, ranging from Mediterranean to tropical plants.
Although we unfortunately didn’t have time to explore beyond Menton’s Old City, the village’s beautiful gardens definitely deserve a place on this list!
Here are some popular favorites:
Now that you’ve seen what Menton has to offer, I hope I’ve inspired you to add this incredible destination to your French Riviera itinerary.
Have you ever visited this beautiful town before? If so, what Menton photo spots did I miss? Let me know in the comments below!
In the meantime, if you’d like to keep fantasizing about Southern France, I’ve got you covered!
Check out my other French Riviera guides:
Did you find this post useful? Pin it to your boards!