Place aux Herbes

With its unmistakable Italian charm, central fountain, and buzzing café terraces, Place aux Herbes captures the essence of Menton—a sunny, welcoming seaside town with all the warmth of the South. Back in the Middle Ages, this was actually the site of the town’s main market. So it’s the perfect place to dive into a bit of local history and discover how Menton came to be known as the Pearl of France. What’s surprising is that the early history of Menton is still quite mysterious since no archaeological remains have ever been found. But we do know that a major Roman road, the Via Julia Augusta, once passed through here. The first written mention of Menton appears in the 11th century, referencing a small fortified village called Puypin, up on the hill, which belonged to the Count of Ventimiglia. At that time, the County of Ventimiglia was part of the Kingdom of Italy, itself under the Holy Roman Empire. There were two castles in the area: one up on the hill, and another on the site of what is now the Vieux Château Cemetery. In 1346, Charles Grimaldi, Lord of Monaco, bought the seigneury of Menton, and for more than five centuries, the town remained under the rule of the Grimaldi family and the Principality of Monaco. Over time, the Lords—and later Princes—of Monaco shaped the town, building fortifications such as the bastion, religious landmarks like the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, and even princely residences. Much of this architectural and cultural legacy is still visible around town today. In 1848, Menton and its neighbour Roquebrune broke away from Monaco and placed themselves under the protection of the King of Sardinia, who also ruled the Duchy of Savoy. Despite that, the two towns declared themselves free cities. Then in 1860, Menton officially became part of France along with the rest of the Duchy of Savoy, joining the Alpes-Maritimes department. The arrival of the railway in 1869 turned Menton into a popular winter retreat for aristocrats from across Europe, all drawn by its famously mild climate. Grand palaces were built to welcome these well-heeled visitors, and the Corniche and harbour took on the shape we recognise today. During the Second World War, the town was first occupied by the Italians and later by the Germans. But since then, Menton has continued to shine as a beautiful gem on the French Riviera, with buildings that still tell the story of its rich and fascinating past. You can feel all of that right here on Place aux Herbes. So why not take a break in the shade of the plane trees, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a coffee—or maybe a lemonade, depending on the season!