Hundreds of visitors gather at the Jardins Biovès every day for the 92nd Fête du Citron, which has transformed Menton into a breathtaking spectacle — and rightfully so, as its most striking element is entirely free.
Under this year’s theme ‘Merveilles du Vivant – Wonders of the Living’, seven gigantic sculptures line the gardens, each dressed in 10 to 15 tonnes of lemons and oranges, every piece of fruit placed individually by hand. The result is something that truly needs to be seen in person to be appreciated, as photographs barely do it justice.
A giant whale appears to glide overhead, a tiger crouches ready to leap, while two parrots face each other across a sculptural double helix – perhaps a nod to the DNA that connects all living things.
Mother Earth as the most breathtaking creation
However, it is the figure of Mother Earth, a pregnant woman with the planet forming in her belly, that stops visitors in their tracks.
As the only human figure among the sculptures, this one has attracted the most attention among visitors and become the most photographed in the gardens.
Up close, the craftsmanship is remarkable. Thousands of individual fruits are fixed to metal frames with unbelievable precision, creating textures and shadows that shift as the light changes throughout the day. From a distance, the sculptures look almost painted in citrus tones.
Behind the scenes, more than a hundred workers have been maintaining the displays since the festival opened on 14th February, replacing damaged fruit each morning to keep the colours sharp and the details intact.
While the famous Corsos parades require tickets, the garden exhibition remains free and open to all, from 9am until 11pm daily.
That accessibility is a big part of what makes the Fête du Citron so enduring. Families with young children, solo visitors, couples — everyone finds their own way through the pathways, at their own pace, and without charge.
The display runs until 1st March. For those yet to visit, a final night-time parade takes place on Thursday 26th February at 9pm, with fireworks over Menton Bay at 10:30pm, and a last Sunday Corso on 1st March at 2:30pm. Standing tickets start from €16.
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Main photo credit: Monaco Life