Grand Hôtel d’Orient

The huge building on your left is no ordinary place—it’s a palace, and one of the oldest in the city. Like the Palais de l’Europe, it dates back to the Belle Époque, though this one is even older, built in 1874. At the time, it was much smaller and looked quite different. It wasn’t until the 1920s that it was transformed into the grand palace you see today, with its striking oriental style. It quickly began attracting wealthy visitors from all over Europe, drawn to Menton, which was then a fashionable hotspot for the elite. Some guests would stay for months at a time, going so far as to redecorating their suites to feel more at home. They came to spend the winter, enjoying the town’s famously mild climate. As you can imagine, this was a very prestigious address, and it became an iconic part of Menton’s grand hotel history. In 1952, the building was converted into private residences, and today it’s still home to year-round locals. With its bright white façade and impressive size, it’s impossible to miss as you walk along Rue de la République. As you continue your visit, you’ll come across many more former palaces from this golden age, each with its own distinctive architectural flair. In fact, Menton is said to have more palaces per square metre than any other city in France! It’s also one of the reasons why there are so many beautiful gardens—both public and private—throughout Menton and the surrounding area. Wealthy travellers often brought back exotic plants from faraway lands, many of which had never been seen in France before. Thanks to the gentle Mediterranean climate, those gardens flourished. Keep walking, and just beyond the white walls of the Grand Hôtel d’Orient, you’ll spot another famous former palace: the Malte.