Holiday of Lemons in Menton
Orianne Tison - Photos Fabrice Debono ( Provence Luberon News) - 21/02/2010
The Holiday of the Lemon in Menton is the second most important demonstration of the French Riviera, after the Carnival of Nice and just before the Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco... a quite unique holiday in the world !
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Birth of the holiday of the lemon in Menton
It is fashionable at the beginning of the 20th century to spend the winter under the sun of the French Riviera. From 1896 a parade takes place every year to liven up the city in this sad season, this parade is already a success, because Queen Victoria personally came take advantage of this wintry demonstration and attends the luxurious fireworks fired on the bay.
Menton town of the French Riviera, is in the thirties, first producer of lemons of all the European continent.
It is in these years, and more exactly in 1934 that the holiday of the lemon was born. The winter is long even on the French Riviera, it is one of hotel-keepers of the city which will have a bright idea to cheer up Menton in this cold season. He organizes in the gardens of his hotel, an atypical exhibition. The gardens of the Riviera hotel welcome magnificent flowers and... citrus fruits ! This exhibition is a real success, the next year, it is growing and this time, flowers and citrus fruits set place on trolleys and parade in the streets of the city, escorted by women from Menton. The municipality brings its support to this typically local parade... it will be henceforth the Biovès gardens which will welcome the exhibition of citrus fruits and flowers.
The Holiday of the Lemon program
The holiday of the lemon takes place during about twenty days in February and comes to puts sun in the heart of the winter.
The exhibition of huge patterns in citrus fruits
The tradition continued, it is today still in the Biovès gardens that take place the impressive creations of citrus fruits. Some patterns can achieve almost 10 meters in height and some designs more than 15 tons of these fruits of the sun. You will be amazed by these hallucinating decorations…
The gardens of Lights
When the sun sets on the bay, Menton does not still sleep and the creations of citrus fruits take a second life, the gardens of Biovès become gardens of lights… At night, thanks to the sets of sounds and lights, your walk will take quite a different turn and you will rediscover these huge designs in citrus fruits.
The Parades of golden fruits
On every Sunday during the holiday of lemons, Menton livens up. The floats of citrus fruits go out, they begin their parade in the streets of the city and as every year they rival in originality for our biggest pleasure. Tons of lemons and oranges are necessary for their realization and the result is simply bluffing ! To escort their parade, brass bands, dancers and magic costumes... quite abundantly sprayed with piece of confetti.
The Night-Parades
On the evening, the holiday goes on, the night-parades are the opportunity to pursue the holiday in the night. The animations of streets accompany the parade of the floats of citrus fruits, folk groups, dance, music, enjoyment, cheerfulness... in brief the holiday everywhere in city ! And to close a festive night, a firework is fired...
A quite unique holiday in the world !
You will not be bored in Menton during the holiday of lemons, because you can also enjoy the Festival of Orchids and the Crafts from Menton show at the Palace of Europe.
This original festival remains unique in the world and its success confirms year by year. Thousands of visitors of the whole world meet on the French Riviera to celebrate the lemon and to admire floats and other creations which required some 145 tons of citrus fruits…
The holiday of the Lemon in Menton is the second most important demonstration of the French Riviera, just behind Nice Carnival... a quite unique holiday !
Photo gallery
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During the parade of golden fruits, floats in citrus fruits parade in the streets of Menton
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During the holiday of lemons, Menton lives to the rythm of brass bands applauded by the crowd
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The parade of the majorettes, a magnificent show
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The holiday of lemons is also the occasion to admire beautiful costumes
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Brazil and its famous costumes are also to the fore
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The public came numerous to attend the parade which livens up Menton
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Here is come the hour of the night-parade...
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Parade in the streets of Menton
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In the evening, the holiday goes on with animations
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The floats of citrus fruits wander in Menton during the night-parade
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A carnivalesque creature...
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A magic firework closes the night-parade
MENTON 2010 HOLIDAY OF LEMONS
For its 77th edition, the holiday of lemons in Menton celebrates the cinema.
Orchids Festival
On the French Riviera Menton welcomes every year the International Orchids Festival during the holiday of lemons.
Biovès Gardens
Night-animations and exhibition of creations of citrus fruits in Biovès gardens durnig the holiday of lemons in Menton.