11 Activities
Road Trip to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Menton
Starts from
Nice
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
11
Duration
11 hours
Length
6 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Nice
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hours
Length
6 mi
Emily Zanier
Blogger
- Explore the beautiful medieval village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
- Enjoy the view and nature at the Cape Martin.
- Visit the colorful town of Menton.
On this day trip from Nice, you will explore two beautiful places that are located on the edge of France just before the border with Italy. Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is a beautiful medieval village with great heritage. And Menton, the town of the lemons is colorful with beautiful gardens and art from Jean Cocteau.
You will also enjoy amazing views of the French Riviera with the mountains and the sea, and views of Monaco and Italy. And of course, the food will be like the location between France and Italy, definitely Mediterranean.
You will also enjoy amazing views of the French Riviera with the mountains and the sea, and views of Monaco and Italy. And of course, the food will be like the location between France and Italy, definitely Mediterranean.
On this day trip from Nice, you will explore two beautiful places that are located on the edge of France just before the border with Italy. Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is a beautiful medieval village with great heritage. And Menton, the town of the lemons is colorful with beautiful gardens and art from Jean Cocteau.
You will also enjoy amazing views of the French Riviera with the mountains and the sea, and views of Monaco and Italy. And of course, the food will be like the location between France and Italy, definitely Mediterranean.
You will also enjoy amazing views of the French Riviera with the mountains and the sea, and views of Monaco and Italy. And of course, the food will be like the location between France and Italy, definitely Mediterranean.
Emily Zanier
Blogger
- Explore the beautiful medieval village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
- Enjoy the view and nature at the Cape Martin.
- Visit the colorful town of Menton.
Day Itinerary
11 Activities
Day 1
6 mi2 mi
At the End of France just before Italy
The road trip will drive you to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin which is a beautiful medieval village, and then to Menton, a beautiful town at the end of France before Italy.
09:451 hr
Villa E-1027
Museum
Open Details
There is a parking for visitors. To get to the villa, you have to walk on a nice pathway along the sea. This villa was created in 1926 by two architects: Eileen Gray and her partner Badovici. It has an interesting architecture, simple, white, cubic, and compact. Inside, you will see frescoes by Le Corbusier who came here as a friend in 1938, and then he became a neighbour.
0.1 mi
5 min
11:001 hr
Cabanon de Le Corbusier
Museum
Open Details
This little cottage was conceived by Le Corbusier and it is a Unesco Heritage Site since 2016, it is the only one in the department of "Alpes Maritimes". This cottage has walls that are 3,66 meters long and is conceived like a boat cabin with all the functional furniture you need. Le Corbusier wanted to create some functional holidays cottages for everybody going on holidays.
1.5 mi
5 min
12:151 hr
La Roquebrunoise
Restaurant
Open Details
Have lunch at this restaurant with nice atmosphere and great welcome. The terrace is very pleasant with amazing views on the village and the sea. The cuisine is delicious with Provençal style.
After lunch, leave your car here and explore the historic Menton on foot.
After lunch, leave your car here and explore the historic Menton on foot.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:3030 min
Old Town Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
City Centre
Open Details
You can visit Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on foot. It is an old medieval perched village with a Carolingian fortress. Check out the Sainte Marguerite church, the narrow streets, the tall houses, the quiet squares the nice fountains, etc. The two brothers square has this name from the two rocks.
For the history part, since the 14th century, Roquebrune belonged to Monaco. In 1860, the inhabitants of Roquebrune decided in a referendum to belong to France instead because Monaco was too poor back then.
For the history part, since the 14th century, Roquebrune belonged to Monaco. In 1860, the inhabitants of Roquebrune decided in a referendum to belong to France instead because Monaco was too poor back then.
0.1 mi
5 min
14:1545 min
Château Médieval de Roquebrune
Castle
Open Details
The medieval castle of Roquebrune is the only preserved and still standing Carolingian fortress in France. It was built in 970 by the Count of Ventimiglia. It was then bought with the whole village by a Grimaldi (Monaco's family), it was confiscated in 1793. It only came back belonging to the village in 1926.
You can visit inside the donjon and see the prison. The royal apartments are on the 3rd floor. From the terrace on the 4th floor, you will get a remarkable view of the surroundings with Monaco and cap Martin.
You can visit inside the donjon and see the prison. The royal apartments are on the 3rd floor. From the terrace on the 4th floor, you will get a remarkable view of the surroundings with Monaco and cap Martin.
0.3 mi
5 min
15:1515 min
Millennial Olive Trees
Landmark
Open Details
This is one of the oldest olive trees in the World, its age is estimated around 2000 years old, quite impressive. It is 10 meters tall and has a circumference of 18 meters.
2.4 mi
15 min
15:4530 min
Pointe Du Cap Martin
Scenic Lookout
Open Details
The Cape Martin is an amazing site well preserved with its rocky end. You will get amazing views of Menton and Italy on the East side. There are a few trails where you can walk and enjoy the view.
2.6 mi
15 min
16:301 hr 30 min
Museum Jean Cocteau – The Bastion
Museum
Open Details
The small fort from the 17th century was abandoned, and the Mayor gave it to Jean Cocteau to do as he pleased. So, Cocteau conducted the restoration, drew the mosaics of the entrance, and the drawings in stones on the ground.
A few steps away, the other Jean Cocteau museum is the Severin Wunderman collection showing 1800 rotating art pieces. The building itself is quite interesting with its wavy architecture. It was conceived by Rudy Riccioti who was inspired by Ancient Greece that Cocteau loved.
A few steps away, the other Jean Cocteau museum is the Severin Wunderman collection showing 1800 rotating art pieces. The building itself is quite interesting with its wavy architecture. It was conceived by Rudy Riccioti who was inspired by Ancient Greece that Cocteau loved.
0.2 mi
10 min
18:1530 min
Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel
Church
Open Details
Walk around the historical center of Menton, it is a beautiful colorful city. The basilica has a nice baroque colorful facade and 2 belltowers. Inside, the decoration has an Italian style inspired by the Anunziata church in Genoa.
0.6 mi
15 min
19:0030 min
Jardins Biovès
Park
Open Details
This garden in the centre of the city offers great views of the surrounding mountains, and it has palm trees and lemon trees. Menton is renowned for its lemons thanks to a nice microclimate all year round. In 1930, Menton was still the first producer of lemons in Europe. It is here in these gardens that the lemon festival takes place in March every year.
Menton has many gardens. If you come during the garden festival in May/June, you can visit a lot of them.
Menton has many gardens. If you come during the garden festival in May/June, you can visit a lot of them.
0.9 mi
20 min
20:001 hr
Les Sablettes Beach
Restaurant
Open Details
After this nice walk around Menton, it is time for dinner. This restaurant has a great location right on the beach with beautiful views. And of course, you can still enjoy the beach as well. The food is delicious and is French-Italian, so since you are on the border between two countries, you can choose.