
Menton
With Italy on one side and Nice on the other, it's easy to see why Menton, the colourful yet sleepy town with a medieval heart, is often overlooked. Considerably cheaper than its coastal counterparts, it has an 18th-century old town to the east and exotic gardens to the west; hike up the hill for awe-inspiring views over the beaches, harbour and pretty houses. As you would expect, there are Italian influences throughout the town - Menton didn't become part of France until 1860 - although particularly evident in the food. Be sure to sample local lemons -Menton is very proud of its citrus fruit.